Boasting in Christ

1 Cor. 1:27-31 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

What kind of person do you naturally respect? Is it someone’s confidence that draws you in? Maybe their competence in a task or skillset that inspires you and helps you lower your guard. For others it is all about personality. If someone charms them (even if it is dramatically embellished) they will follow them to the ends of the earth. 

Paul is addressing these preconceived ideas with his Corinthian audience. To them, strength and power were defined by their pagan and sinful culture. Paul began by issuing a challenge in 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Like a reversal from David and Goliath, here Paul stands up and calls on all challengers. What gave Paul such confidence? Because he knows that God Himself made them all, for His own purpose. We sometimes bifurcate the sacred and profane things, but we must recognize that God created, and ordains both of those categories.

Returning to our primary text, Paul is making a specific application to his readers for them to begin operating in their church and individual lives according to God’s way and by His standard. 

Look at the various ways that God takes the world’s priorities and flips them on their head. 

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.

God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

God chose what is low and despised in the world to bring to nothing things that are.

A natural question is “Why?” Why would the almighty God place such a premium on foolishness, weakness, and lowliness? Paul gives us the answer in verse 29. So that no human being might boast in the presence of God. Commentator Leon Morris added this perspective, “God does all this with a view to taking away from everyone every occasion of boasting. Whatever we may do before one another, we have nothing to boast of before God.”[1] This is so essential because if one is to boast in anything other than God, would be to ultimately cast oneself into Hell. Paul is not messing around in this passage, and we must not either. 

Paul concludes on a positive note though by encouraging his readers to remember their new position in Christ and that Christ had become wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to saved men and women. It is Christ’s victory that deserves our praise and Christ’s accomplishments that warrant our never-ending boasts. 

Therefore, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

[1] Leon Morris, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 54.

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