Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:28

"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:" — 1 Corinthians 1:28 (ASV)

Paul continues by stating that God has chosen those of the lower levels of society. First he mentions the slave class and the despised. These terms were particularly appropriate for the situation at Corinth because there were so many slaves there. Also among those God has called, Paul lists “the things that are not”—i.e., “the nonexistent,” those who seem to the world to be nonentities. God has done this so that he might show those who seem to be important (“the things that are”) that they can accomplish nothing for their own salvation because their wisdom, power, and importance are ineffective for this. As a result, no one may boast in God’s presence that salvation has been gained by his or her own effort.