1 Corinthians 1:28 (ASV)

Passage

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:

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 1:26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

1 Corinthians 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

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 1:29 that no flesh should glory before God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "base", "things", "despised", "choose", and "might". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "world" and "base", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 27's "but God chose the foolish things of..." into verse 29's "that no flesh should glory before God...", so "world" and "base" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "world" and "base" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.