Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:29

What does 1 Corinthians 1:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:29 means

The purpose of God’s upside-down choosing is that no flesh should glory before Him. Salvation is designed to eliminate boasting in human achievement. When the wise, strong, and noble are not the basis of God’s work, no one can claim credit. Humility becomes the atmosphere of the church, and praise rises to God alone. This does not demean people; it rightly orders glory. The cross has already stripped away the illusion of self-sufficiency. Recognizing this purpose confronts the Corinthians’ party spirit, which feeds on human pride. God means for the church to be a place where all glory flows upward to Him through Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that no flesh should glory before God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that no flesh should glory before God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that no flesh might have glory before God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that no flesh may glory before Him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That no flesh should glory in his sight.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

so that no flesh should boast beforeGod.

Context

This verse states explicitly the aim behind verses 26–28: to remove boasting. The next two verses (30–31) will show the positive alternative. Instead of glorying in human leaders or status, believers receive everything in Christ—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption—and therefore boast only in the Lord. This climactic turn grounds humility and unity not merely in negations but in the fullness of what God gives in His Son.

v.28and 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:

v.29This passage

v.30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:31

    that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

  • Romans 3:27

    Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.

  • Jeremiah 9:23

    Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7

    For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

  • Psalms 49:6

    They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

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