1 Corinthians 1:27

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers while correcting their social divisions and pride. He introduces this instruction directly after observing that few of their callers possessed worldly wisdom, authority, or noble lineage.

The words — ἐξελέξατο (exelexato) translates as "has chosen" and denotes deliberate divine selection. μωρὰ (mōra) means "foolish things," identifying what human standards dismiss as worthless.

The thread — The text parallels James 2:5, where the poor are selected for faith, and Matthew 11:25, where Jesus notes God's concealment from the wise. Paul repeats the pattern in 1 Corinthians 1:20 by questioning the absence of the age's philosophers and scribes.

Why it lands — The verse requires readers to stop measuring spiritual value against human status or capability. It demands acceptance that divine action operates through means the world classifies as inadequate.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Cross-references

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Psalms 8:2 From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Acts 4:11 This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
2 Corinthians 4:7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
Matthew 21:16 “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”