And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which {x} are not, to bring to {y} nought things that are:

(x) Which in man's judgment are almost nothing.

(y) To show that they are vain and unprofitable, and worth nothing. See Geneva Ro 3:31

People's New Testament

1:28 Base things of the world. Those of lowly birth.

And things which are despised. People that the world would call nobodies, and things that it counts as nothing. These are chosen

to bring to nothing things that are; the existing state of things; the pagan religious, governments, and civilization; these were to be overthrown through the influence of the gospel.

Wesley's Notes

1:28 Things that are not - The Jews frequently called the gentiles, Them that are not, 2 Esdras vi. 56, 57. In so supreme contempt did they hold them. The things that are - In high esteem.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. yea, and things which are not-Yea is not in the Greek. Also some of the oldest manuscripts omit "and." Thus the clause, "things which are not" (are regarded as naught), is in apposition with "foolish . weak . base (that is, lowborn) and despised things." God has chosen all four, though regarded as things that are not, to bring to naught things that are.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:26-31 God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor statesmen, nor men of wealth, and power, and interest in the world, to publish the gospel of grace and peace. He best judges what men and what measures serve the purposes of his glory. Though not many noble are usually called by Divine grace, there have been some such in every age, who have not been ashamed of the gospel of Christ; and persons of every rank stand in need of pardoning grace. Often, a humble Christian, though poor as to this world, has more true knowledge of the gospel, than those who have made the letter of Scripture the study of their lives, but who have studied it rather as the witness of men, than as the word of God. And even young children have gained such knowledge of Divine truth as to silence infidels. The reason is, they are taught of God; the design is, that no flesh should glory in his presence. That distinction, in which alone they might glory, was not of themselves. It was by the sovereign choice and regenerating grace of God, that they were in Jesus Christ by faith. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; all we need, or can desire. And he is made wisdom to us, that by his word and Spirit, and from his fulness and treasures of wisdom and knowledge, we may receive all that will make us wise unto salvation, and fit for every service to which we are called. We are guilty, liable to just punishment; and he is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt, and he is made sanctification, that he may in the end be made complete redemption; may free the soul from the being of sin, and loose the body from the bonds of the grave. And this is, that all flesh, according to the prophecy by Jeremiah, Jer 9:23-24, may glory in the special favour, all-sufficient grace, and precious salvation of Jehovah.