John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:29

"that no flesh should glory before God." — 1 Corinthians 1:29 (ASV)

That no flesh should glory. Though the term flesh here, and in many passages of Scripture, denotes all mankind, yet in this passage it carries with it a particular idea. For the Spirit, by speaking of mankind in terms of contempt, beats down their pride, as in Isaiah 31:3: The Egyptian is flesh and not spirit.

It is a sentiment worthy of being remembered: that there is nothing left for us in which we may justly glory.

With this in mind, he adds the expression in God’s presence. For in the presence of the world many delight themselves for the moment in a false glorying, which, however, quickly vanishes like smoke.

At the same time, by this expression all mankind are put to silence when they come into God’s presence, as Habakkuk says:

Let all flesh keep silence before God (Habakkuk 2:20).

Let everything, therefore, that is at all deserving of praise, be recognized as coming from God.