1 Corinthians 1:28

Tyndale New Testament

And vile thinges of the worlde and thinges which are despysed hath God chosen yee and thinges of no reputacion for to brynge to nought thinges of reputacion

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
God chose those looked down upon to shame those who turn their nose up.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,

Legacy Standard Bible
and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are,

Bible in Basic English
And the low things of the world, and the things without honour, did God make selection of, yes, even the things which are not, so that he might make as nothing the things which are:

Darby Translation
and the ignoble things of the world, and the despised, has God chosen, [and] things that are not, that he may annul the things that are;

Christian Standard Bible®
God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something,

World English Bible
and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And the base things of the world, and things that are despised, hath God chosen; yea, things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are; That no flesh may glory before him.

Weymouth's New Testament
and the things which the world regards as base, and those which it sets utterly at nought--things that have no existence--God has chosen in order to reduce to nothing things that do exist;

King James Version (1611)
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are,

Literal Translation
And God chose the low-born of the world, and the despised, and the things that are not, so that He might bring to nothing the things that are,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the vyle and despysed before the worlde hath God chosen, yee and that which is nothinge, that he mighte destroye that which is oughte,

Mace New Testament (1729)
those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing.

Amplified Bible
God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are,

American Standard Version
and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:

Revised Standard Version
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

Update Bible Version
and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, God chose, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:

Webster's Bible Translation
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are:

Young's Literal Translation
and the base things of the world, and the things despised did God choose, and the things that are not, that the things that are He may make useless --

New Century Version
He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.

New English Translation
God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something,

Berean Standard Bible
He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,

Contemporary English Version
What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important.

Complete Jewish Bible
and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important;

English Standard Version
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

Geneva Bible (1587)
And vile things of the worlde and thinges which are despised, hath God chosen, and thinges which are not, to bring to nought thinges that are,

George Lamsa Translation
And he has chosen those of humble families in the world, and the lowly, and those who are insignificant, in order to belittle those who consider themselves important,

Hebrew Names Version
and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:

International Standard Version
And God chose what is insignificant in the world, what is despised, what is nothing, in order to destroy what is something,Romans 4:17; 1 Corinthians 2:6;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
28 and he hath chosen those of low birth [fn] in the world, and the outcasts, and those who are nothing, to bring to nothing those who are;

Murdock Translation
and he hath chosen those of humble birth in the world, and the despised, and them who are nothing, to bring to naught them who are something:

New King James Version
and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

New Living Translation
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

New Life Bible
God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in.

English Revised Version
and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:

New Revised Standard
God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, the low-born things of the world, and the things that are despised, hath God chosen, - and the things that are not, - that, the things that are, he might bring to nought;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the base things of the world and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are:

King James Version
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Lexham English Bible
and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And vnnoble thynges of the worlde, & thinges which are despysed, hath God chosen, [yea] and thinges which are not, to bryng to naught thynges that are:

Easy-to-Read Version
And God chose what the world thinks is not important—what the world hates and thinks is nothing. He chose these to destroy what the world thinks is important.

New American Standard Bible
and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,

Good News Translation
He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and God chees the feble thingis of the world, to confounde the stronge thingis; and God chees the vnnoble thingis `and dispisable thingis of the world, and tho thingis that ben not, to distruye tho thingis that ben;

Contextual Overview

¹⁷ For Christ sent me not to baptyse but to preache ye gospell not with wysdome of wordes lest the crosse of Christ shuld have bene made of none effecte. ¹⁸ For ye preachinge of the crosse is to them yt perisshe folishnes: but vnto vs which are saved it is ye power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: I will destroye the wysdome of the wyse and will cast awaye the vnderstondinge of the prudet. ²⁰ Where is the wyse? Where is the scrybe? Where is the searcher of this worlde? ²¹ Hath not God made the wysdome of this worlde folisshnes? For when the worlde thorow wysdome knew not God in ye wysdome of God: it pleased God thorow folisshnes of preachinge to save them yt beleve. ²² For ye Iewes requyre a signe and the Grekes seke after wysdome. ²³ But we preache Christ crucified vnto the Iewes an occasion of fallinge and vnto the Grekes folisshnes: ²⁴ but vnto the which are called both of Iewes and Grekes we preache Christ ye power of God and the wysdome of God. ²⁵ For the folishnes of God is wyser then me: and the weakenes of God is stronger then men. ²⁶ Brethren loke on youre callinge how that not many wyse men after the flesshe not many myghty not many of hye degre are called:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

things which: Romans 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12:11

to bring: 1 Corinthians 2:6, Deuteronomy 28:63, Job 34:19, Job 34:20, Job 34:24, Psalms 32:10, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 37:36, Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17, Isaiah 17:13, Isaiah 17:14, Isaiah 37:36, Isaiah 41:12, Daniel 2:34, Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 2:45, Revelation 18:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:32 - whose hand Numbers 22:30 - upon which thou hast ridden Judges 15:15 - slew 1 Samuel 17:49 - smote Proverbs 8:5 - General Song of Solomon 8:1 - I should not be despised Ezekiel 17:24 - have brought Daniel 2:25 - captives of Judah Daniel 4:17 - the basest Amos 5:5 - come Micah 5:2 - yet Zephaniah 3:12 - leave Zechariah 4:10 - despised Matthew 3:9 - God 1 Corinthians 1:23 - foolishness 1 Corinthians 10:19 - that the 2 Corinthians 4:7 - in Galatians 4:14 - ye

Cross-References

1 Timothy 4:3
forbyddinge to mary and commaundinge to abstayne from meates which God hath created to be receaved with gevynge thankes of them which beleve and knowe ye trueth.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And base things of the world,.... Who are reckoned the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things; men of mean birth, education, and business of life:

and things that are despised; and set at nought, as poor persons generally are; yet God

hath chosen them; even the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom:

yea, and things which are not; some think the Gentiles are here intended, who by the Jews are called "things that are not": as in the apocryphal books:

"O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto "them that be nothing", and let them not laugh at our fall; but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, that hath begun this against us.'' (Esther 14:11)

"56 As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that "they are nothing", but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel. 57 And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been "reputed as nothing", have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.'' (2 Esdras 6)

:- for note on non-entities, or such who are not in being, are meant; but who are not accounted of, or are reckoned as nothing; and these the Lord calls by his grace, as a fruit and evidence of electing love:

to bring to nought things that are; who, on the account of their noble birth, large possessions, and high attainments in knowledge and learning, thought themselves something; all which will one day be abolished, and will stand them in no stead with regard to future happiness and glory. The Jews q have a saying quite contrary to all this, that

"the Shekinah, or presence of God, does not dwell on any but upon a wise man, a mighty man, and a rich man.''

q T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 92. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And base things of the world - Those things which by the world are esteemed ignoble. Literally, those which are not of noble, or illustrious birth τὰ ἀγειῆ ta ageiē.

Things which are despised - Those which the world regards as objects of contempt; compare Mark 9:12; Luke 18:19; Acts 4:11.

Yea - The introduction of this word by the translators does nothing to illustrate the sense, but rather enfeebles it. The language here is a striking instance of Paul’s manner of expressing himself with great strength. He desires to convey in the strongest terms, the fact, that God had illustrated his plan by choosing the objects of least esteem among people. He is willing to admit all that could be said on this point. He says, therefore, that he had chosen the things of ignoble birth and rank - the base things of the world; but this did not fully express his meaning. He had chosen objects of contempt among people; but this was not strong enough to express his idea. He adds, therefore, that he had chosen those things which were absolutely nothing, which had no existence; which could not be supposed to influence him in his choice.

And things which are not - τὰ μὴ ὄντα ta mē onta. That which is nothing; which is worthless; which has no existence; those flyings which were below contempt itself; and which, in the estimation of the world, were passed by as having no existence; as not having sufficient importance to be esteemed worthy even of the slight notice which is implied in contempt. For a man who despises a thing must at least notice it, and esteem it worth some attention. But the apostle here speaks of things beneath even that slight notice; as completely and totally disregarded, as having no existence. The language here is evidently that of hyperbole (compare the note at John 21:25). It was a figure of speech common in the East, and not unusual in the sacred writings; compare Isaiah 40:17.

All nations before him are as nothing.

And they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity.

See also Romans 4:17, “God, who - calleth those things which be not, as though they were.” This language was strongly expressive of the estimate which the Jews fixed on the Gentiles, as being a despised people, as being in fact no people; a people without laws, and organization, and religion, and privileges; see Hosea 1:10; Hosea 2:23; Rom 9:25; 1 Peter 2:10. “When a man of rank among the Hindus speaks of low-caste persons, of notorious profligates, or of those whom he despises, he calls them “alla-tha-varkal,” that is, “those who are not.” The term does not refer to life or existence, but to a quality or disposition, and is applied to those who are vile and abominable in all things. “My son, my son, go not among them ‘who are not.’” “Alas! alas! those people are all alla-tha-varkal.” When wicked men prosper, it is said, “this is the time for those ‘who are not.’” “Have you heard that those ‘who are not’ are now acting righteously?” Vulgar and indecent expressions are also called, “words that are not.” “To address men in the phrase ‘are not,’ is provoking beyond measure” - Roberts, as quoted in Bush’s Illustrations of Scripture.

To bring to naught - To humble and subdue. To show them how vain and impotent they were.

Things that are - Those who on account of their noble birth, high attainments, wealth, and rank placed a high estimate on themselves and despised others.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 28. And base things - and things which are despised — It is very likely that the apostle refers here to the Gentiles and to the Gentile converts, who were considered base and despicable in the eyes of the Jews, who counted them no better than dogs, and who are repeatedly called the things that are not. By these very people, converted to Christianity, God has brought to nought all the Jewish pretensions; and by means of the Gentiles themselves, he has annihilated the whole Jewish polity; so that even Jerusalem itself was soon after this, trodden under foot of the Gentiles.