John Calvin 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)

Things that are not. He uses similar terms in Romans 4:17, but in a different sense. For in that passage, when describing the universal call of the pious, he says that we are nothing before we are called. This must be understood as referring to reality in the sight of God, even if we appear to be something in the eyes of men.

Here, the nothingness (οὐδενεια) of which he speaks must be understood as referring to the opinion of men. This is clear from the corresponding clause, where he says that this is done in order that the things that are may be brought to naught. For there is nothing except in appearance, because in reality we are all nothing. Things that are, therefore, must be understood to mean things that appear. This passage thus corresponds with statements such as these:

He raiseth up the poor out of the dunghill (Psalms 113:7).

He raiseth up them that are cast down (Psalms 146:8).

And the like. From this we can clearly see how great the folly is of those who imagine that there is in mankind some degree of merit or worthiness, which would hold a place prior to God’s choice.