1 Corinthians 1:29 kjv
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1 Corinthians 1:29 nkjv
that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1 Corinthians 1:29 niv
so that no one may boast before him.
1 Corinthians 1:29 esv
so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:29 nlt
As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jas 4:6 | But He gives more grace... God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. | God opposes human pride. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | ...all of you be clothed with humility toward one another, for “God resists the proud...” | Humility is blessed by God. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom...but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me...” | Boasting only in knowing the Lord. |
| 1 Cor 1:31 | ...that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” | Direct follow-up, defines true object of glory. |
| 2 Cor 10:17 | But “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” | Echoes Jer 9:24 and 1 Cor 1:31. |
| Gal 6:14 | But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... | Boasting is only in Christ's redemptive work. |
| Phil 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. | No reliance on human lineage or effort. |
| Rom 3:27 | Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. | Boasting excluded by faith, not human works. |
| Rom 11:36 | For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. | All glory and creation are from and for God. |
| Isa 2:11 | The lofty looks of man shall be humbled...and the LORD alone shall be exalted... | God alone will be exalted over human pride. |
| Isa 42:8 | I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another... | God does not share His glory with anyone. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves... not of works, lest anyone should boast. | Salvation by grace to prevent human boasting. |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. | Human insufficiency, God's divine sufficiency. |
| John 15:5 | ...for without Me you can do nothing. | Christ is the sole source of spiritual fruit. |
| Psa 115:1 | Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory... | Direct plea for all glory to be given to God. |
| Luke 18:14 | For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. | God opposes the proud and exalts the humble. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Warning against human arrogance. |
| 1 Tim 1:17 | Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. | Doxology, all honor and glory belong to God. |
| Jude 1:24-25 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling...to God our Savior...be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority... | God is the sole source of preservation and power. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. | Divine accomplishment, not human strength. |
| Matt 5:3 | “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” | Blessing on those recognizing spiritual need/lack. |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed." | God humbles arrogant words and judges actions. |
| Isa 66:2 | “For all these things My hand has made...But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." | God values humility over human accomplishment. |
| Mal 3:18 | “Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” | God's distinction often defies human categories. |
1 Corinthians 1 verses
1 Corinthians 1 29 Meaning
1 Corinthians 1:29 states God's precise intention behind His unconventional choice of those He calls: to completely eliminate any grounds for human boasting. By choosing the humble and the despised, God ensures that no person can take credit or glory for salvation, spiritual gifts, or standing before Him. All honor and glory must be directed solely to God, who orchestrates all things for His sovereign purpose.
1 Corinthians 1 29 Context
1 Corinthians chapter 1 is foundational to Paul’s address to the Corinthian church, which was plagued by divisions, arrogance, and a tendency to prioritize human wisdom and eloquence over divine power and the simplicity of the Gospel. Paul emphasizes God’s chosen method of salvation through the "foolishness" of the cross, which contradicts the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:18-25). He highlights that God deliberately chose the "foolish, weak, lowly, and despised things of the world" (1 Cor 1:26-28) to shame the wise, strong, and noble. Verse 29 then presents the ultimate reason for this counter-intuitive divine election: to prevent human boasting and ensure that all glory redounds to God alone. It acts as a summary and conclusion of God's strategic choice. Historically, Corinth was a cosmopolitan city that highly valued rhetoric, philosophy, and social status. Paul's message directly challenged these deeply ingrained cultural values, portraying them as empty against God's power.
1 Corinthians 1 29 Word analysis
- That no (hina mē / ἵνα μή): This Greek phrase explicitly introduces the purpose clause. It signifies a negative objective: God's specific design is to prevent something from happening. This highlights the deliberate and strategic nature of God's choices.
- flesh (sarx / σάρξ): In Pauline theology, "sarx" often refers to humanity in its fallen, earthly, or natural state, marked by weakness, sin, or simply the mortal realm, devoid of divine spiritual power. It stands in contrast to the Spirit of God. Here, it signifies any human being, regardless of their perceived earthly status or achievement, implying the entire human race.
- should boast (kauchēsetai / καυχήσηται): This verb means to boast, brag, glory, or exalt oneself. It carries the nuance of seeking praise or confidence in one's own abilities, possessions, or status. The passive form, "should boast," emphasizes the exclusion of such human self-glorification. It directly refers to the pride and self-importance prevalent among some Corinthians.
- in His presence (enōpion autou / ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ): This phrase denotes "before Him" or "in His sight." It signifies divine scrutiny, judgment, and ultimately, accountability. It's not about human boasting to other humans, but specifically before God, the ultimate Judge and Benefactor. This removes any illusion of earning favor or merit from God.
Words-Group analysis
- "That no flesh should boast": This phrase encapsulates the central anti-boasting motif in Pauline theology. It serves as a stark prohibition against any human entity claiming credit or seeking glory for spiritual success or standing. It emphasizes that salvation and spiritual power are solely by God's grace and design, stripping humanity of any ground for pride.
- "before Him": This defines the ultimate audience for this boasting (or lack thereof). It's a theological statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty and exclusive right to glory. It elevates the issue from a mere interpersonal dynamic to a fundamental principle concerning humanity's relationship with God, where God’s omnipotence and self-sufficiency make any human boasting ludicrous and inappropriate.
1 Corinthians 1 29 Bonus section
- The use of "flesh" (sarx) is critical here, not just meaning "humans," but often in a derogatory sense in Pauline writings, emphasizing human fallenness, weakness, and inadequacy without God. This heightens the contrast with God's perfect plan and power.
- The emphasis on anti-boasting runs throughout Paul's letters (e.g., Rom 3:27, Eph 2:9), showing this to be a core theological conviction rooted in the Gospel. God’s choice to use the "unlikely" serves to demonstrate His power perfectly (2 Cor 12:9-10).
- This verse underpins the humility inherent in true faith. It encourages believers not to look to their own abilities, status, or wisdom, but solely to God's grace and Christ's work for their identity and confidence. Any glory or fruit produced is a testament to God working through inadequate vessels, rather than the vessels themselves.
1 Corinthians 1 29 Commentary
1 Corinthians 1:29 acts as a powerful capstone to Paul's argument in the preceding verses, explaining the profound theological reason behind God's unexpected choice of instruments: to utterly preclude human pride. God actively selects the weak and foolish precisely so that no individual or group, whether deemed wise or noble by the world's standards, can claim any self-derived merit or superiority in His sight. This divine strategy strips humanity of any pretense of contribution to their spiritual standing or the Kingdom's work, ensuring that salvation, spiritual growth, and any true good flow entirely from His unmerited favor. The absence of boasting emphasizes the doctrine of Soli Deo Gloria – "To God alone be the glory." It serves as a constant reminder that God is the author and perfecter of all things, deserving of all praise, reinforcing Christian humility and a God-centered worldview. This principle directly confronts any inclination towards self-exaltation, intellectual pride, or reliance on human effort prevalent both in Corinth and across all ages.