1 Corinthians 1:28 – “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,”

Extended Explanation

This verse continues Paul’s message about how God’s way of doing things is completely different from the world’s expectations. The world tends to honor those who are wealthy, educated, powerful, or influential. But God intentionally chooses what the world looks down on—the “lowly” and “despised”—to show that human achievements and status mean nothing compared to His power.

Paul also adds another phrase: “the things that are not.” This means things that seem to have no value or importance at all. In other words, God works through what the world considers worthless to “nullify” (or cancel out) what the world considers great. This shows that true greatness comes from God alone, not from human wisdom, strength, or success.

Paul is reminding the Corinthian Christians that many of them were not considered important by worldly standards. Yet, God had chosen them to be part of His kingdom. This wasn’t an accident—it was part of His plan to humble the proud and show that salvation is purely by His grace.

Historical Context

Corinth was a city full of people who cared about wealth, power, and status. The Greeks admired intellectual wisdom, while the Romans respected strength and dominance. People who were poor, uneducated, or of low social standing were often ignored or treated as unimportant.

However, the early Christian church was made up of many people from lower classes—slaves, laborers, and the socially overlooked. Paul is telling them that they should not be discouraged by their lack of worldly status. In fact, their very position in life proves God’s wisdom.

God had been working this way throughout history:

• He chose Israel, a small and insignificant nation, to be His people.
• He picked David, a young shepherd, to be king instead of his stronger brothers.
• He worked through Mary, a humble young woman, to bring Jesus into the world.

Again and again, God used the people the world ignored to accomplish His greatest plans.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several deep truths about God and His ways:

1. God’s kingdom is not based on human status. He doesn’t choose people because of their success or importance—He chooses them because of His grace.
2. God humbles the proud. The world may think it is in control, but God uses the weak and lowly to overturn human pride.
3. God values people differently than the world does. What the world considers “nothing” is precious in God’s eyes.
4. God’s ways are completely different from human thinking. He works through what seems foolish and weak to reveal His wisdom and power.

This verse reminds us that human achievement means nothing in God’s eyes. The only thing that matters is whether or not a person belongs to Him.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses strong contrasts in this verse:

• “Lowly things” vs. “things that are” – The world focuses on greatness, but God works through the humble.
• “Despised things” vs. “things that are” – What the world rejects, God accepts.
• “Things that are not” vs. “things that are” – God works through what seems invisible or worthless to make an impact greater than anything the world values.

This contrast forces the reader to rethink what is truly important. It emphasizes that God’s way of choosing people is completely opposite of the world’s.

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 1:52 – “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (God raises up the lowly.)
• James 2:5 – “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith?” (God often works through the poor.)
• Isaiah 40:17 – “Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.” (Human power is insignificant compared to God.)
• Matthew 20:16 – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (God’s ways turn human expectations upside down.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

In today’s world, people are often judged by their wealth, job, education, or social status. Many feel pressure to prove their worth through success or popularity. But this verse reminds us that God doesn’t operate by those standards.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, unimportant, or unqualified, this verse should encourage you. God is not looking for impressive people—He is looking for people who will trust Him. He often chooses the weak, the forgotten, and the broken to accomplish His greatest purposes.

At the same time, this verse also challenges those who are tempted to put their confidence in worldly achievements. No amount of success, intelligence, or money can make someone more valuable in God’s eyes. The only thing that matters is knowing Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is different from the love of the world. The world values people based on performance, success, and influence. But God values people simply because He loves them.

This verse shows that God’s love is for everyone, not just the powerful or successful. He delights in lifting up the humble and giving dignity to those the world rejects. His love is not based on human achievements—it is based on His own goodness.

• God’s love reaches the outcast.
• God’s love lifts up the weak.
• God’s love gives value to those the world says are worthless.

If you’ve ever doubted your worth, this verse is a reminder that in God’s eyes, you are chosen, loved, and valuable—not because of what you have done, but because of who He is.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the perfect example of this verse in action.

• He was born in a stable, not a palace. (Luke 2:7)
• He lived as a humble carpenter, not a rich ruler. (Mark 6:3)
• He chose fishermen and tax collectors as His disciples, not religious scholars. (Matthew 4:18-22)
• He was rejected and despised, yet He was God’s chosen Savior. (Isaiah 53:3)
• He died a criminal’s death on a cross, yet through that “weakness,” He defeated sin and death. (Philippians 2:8-11)

Jesus’ entire life demonstrated that God’s way is not like the world’s way. He came as a servant, not a king. He associated with the poor and broken, not the rich and powerful. He was rejected by men, yet chosen by God to bring salvation.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge the way you think about success and importance?
2. Have you ever felt unworthy or insignificant? How does this verse encourage you?
3. Why do you think God chooses to work through the weak and despised rather than the strong and powerful?
4. How does this verse shape the way you view other people, especially those who are often overlooked by society?
5. In what ways can you trust God more, knowing that He uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes?

This verse is a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom is built differently from the world’s. He does not need the powerful, the famous, or the wealthy—He chooses the weak, the humble, and the overlooked. In doing so, He shows that His power, not human greatness, is what truly matters. Through Jesus, we see that the things the world rejects are often the very things God uses to bring salvation and hope.