1 Corinthians 1:28
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It's easy to read this and think God simply picked the "little guys." But the text says He chose "things that are not"—literally, things that don't exist in the world's eyes, the utterly overlooked and insignificant. This radical choice isn't just about elevating the humble; it's about demonstrating that true power comes from God, not from what the world deems valuable or even real.
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the divisions and arrogance within the Corinthian church, who were boasting in human wisdom and leaders. He's emphasizing that God intentionally uses the weak, humble, and seemingly insignificant – things that the world esteems as worthless – to demonstrate His power and confound those who rely on their own strength or status. This stark contrast highlights God's unconventional methods of salvation and His ultimate authority over human pride.
Ever feel like you don't measure up? Like you're not important enough, strong enough, or smart enough? The world might overlook you, but God sees things differently.
Paul is hitting hard here. He's saying that God deliberately chooses what the world considers worthless. The 'things that are not' are those deemed insignificant, weak, foolish, and lowly by human standards. These are the people and things that society counts as having no standing or power.
But here's the astonishing part: God uses these very things to dismantle the systems and pride of the powerful and influential. It's a divine reversal! What the world dismisses, God elevates and uses to reveal His own glory and strength, showing that ultimate power doesn't come from worldly status.
Why would God choose the weak and despised? It's not random; it's a strategic move to make a powerful statement about His kingdom.
This isn't about God preferring weakness out of sentimentality. It's a purposeful strategy. By choosing the 'low and despised,' God ensures that no human can boast in their own achievements or status when witnessing His work.
When God saves and empowers someone the world ignores, it’s undeniable proof that the power comes from Him alone. This strategy exposes the emptiness of worldly power and status, humbling those who rely on it and exalting His own sovereign might. It’s a divine mic drop, redirecting all glory to Himself.
Understand the original words
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agenēs · Greek Adjective
Being of low status or common. It suggests things that are looked down upon or considered unimportant by the standards of the world.
exoutheneō · Greek Adjective/Participle
Regarded with contempt or as having no worth. It highlights the contrast between worldly evaluation and God’s sovereign valuation.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, was acutely aware of the social hierarchies and worldly power structures of the Roman Empire, where many of his converts came from humble, 'lowly' backgrounds, contrasting sharply with the powerful and prestigious.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem
Nehemiah, a Jewish official in the Persian Empire, returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. This event signifies a period of restoration and rebuilding for the Jewish people in their homeland after exile, yet still under foreign rule.
c. 400-300 BC
Post-Exilic Period
Following the return from Babylonian exile, Jewish society was marked by its continued struggles for religious and political autonomy. They were a relatively small and often overlooked people within larger empires.
c. 167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire, sparked by religious persecution. Though ultimately successful in establishing a period of independence, it highlights the vulnerability and resilience of Jewish faith against dominant powers.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome annexed Judea, bringing the region under direct Roman control. This marked a new era of foreign domination, with Roman law and culture significantly impacting Jewish life and identity.
c. 20 BC - AD 10
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod, an Idumean appointed king by Rome, undertook massive building projects in Judea. While some saw his rule as a sign of prosperity, he was viewed with suspicion by many Jews due to his non-Jewish ancestry and Roman allegiance.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus, who came from a humble Galilean background and was seen by many authorities as a disruptive, powerless figure, was crucified by the Romans. This event is central to Christian faith, seen as a demonstration of God's power in apparent weakness.
c. AD 50-60
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Letters
The Apostle Paul traveled extensively, founding Christian communities in major Hellenistic cities, often among non-elites. His letters, like 1 Corinthians, addressed the challenges faced by these diverse groups in understanding and living out their faith.
This immediately preceding passage explains the 'why' behind God's choice of the lowly, highlighting that His wisdom is different from human wisdom and that He uses the weak to shame the strong.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage shows Jesus, who was God, humbling Himself and taking on the form of a servant, demonstrating the ultimate example of God choosing the 'low and despised' for His purposes.
1 Samuel 16:7When Samuel was looking for a king, God's perspective is revealed as different from man's; man looks at outward appearance, but God looks at the heart, echoing the theme of God choosing those overlooked by society.
Luke 7:22-23Jesus points to His miracles – healing the sick, raising the dead – as the sign of His Messiahship, showcasing how God's power is demonstrated through seemingly 'weak' or humble actions that confound the powerful.
It's easy to read this and think God simply picked the "little guys." But the text says He chose "things that are not"—literally, things that don't exist in the world's eyes, the utterly overlooked and insignificant. This radical choice isn't just about elevating the humble; it's about demonstrating that true power comes from God, not from what the world deems valuable or even real.
Paul is addressing the divisions and arrogance within the Corinthian church, who were boasting in human wisdom and leaders. He's emphasizing that God intentionally uses the weak, humble, and seemingly insignificant – things that the world esteems as worthless – to demonstrate His power and confound those who rely on their own strength or status. This stark contrast highlights God's unconventional methods of salvation and His ultimate authority over human pride.
Paul is addressing the divisions and arrogance within the Corinthian church, who were boasting in human wisdom and leaders. He's emphasizing that God intentionally uses the weak, humble, and seemingly insignificant – things that the world esteems as worthless – to demonstrate His power and confound those who rely on their own strength or status. This stark contrast highlights God's unconventional methods of salvation and His ultimate authority over human pride.
"God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are," — It's easy to read this and think God simply picked the "little guys." But the text says He chose "things that are not"—literally, things that don't exist in the world's eyes, the utterly overlooked…
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Last reviewed October 2026
