26Consider, for, your calling, brothers, that not many were wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. [1:27] But the foolish things of the world God chose, that He may shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose, that He may shame the strong; [1:28] and the low-born things of the world and the things despised God chose — the things that are not — that He may nullify the things that are, [1:29] so that no flesh may boast before God. [1:30] But out of Him you yourselves are in Christ Jesus, who has been made wisdom unto us from God — righteousness, and also sanctification and redemption — [1:31] in order that, even as it has been written: "The one boasting, let him boast in the Lord."
1CO 1:26-31
Wisdom from God
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, social status was deeply tied to wisdom, power, and noble birth. Philosophers, rhetoricians, and political elites were revered, and their influence shaped societal norms. Paul’s audience in Corinth, a bustling urban center, would have been acutely aware of these hierarchies. The term (calling) would have evoked the image of a patron inviting clients into a relationship of honor and obligation. Yet Paul subverts this expectation by highlighting that God’s often bypasses the socially esteemed—the wise, powerful, and noble—instead choosing the foolish, weak, and low-born. This inversion would have been jarring in a culture where honor and shame were paramount. The term (flesh) underscores human limitations and fallenness, contrasting with divine wisdom. By emphasizing (despised), Paul underscores how God elevates those deemed utterly insignificant by societal standards. This message would have challenged the Corinthians’ assumptions about status and wisdom, particularly in a city known for its philosophical debates and social stratification.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1CO 1:26
- KJV
- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
- BSB
- Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
- Koinōnos
- Consider, for, your calling, brothers, that not many were wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.
1CO 1:27
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- But the foolish things of the world God chose, that He may shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose, that He may shame the strong;
1CO 1:28
- KJV
- And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
- BSB
- He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
- Koinōnos
- and the low-born things of the world and the things despised God chose — the things that are not — that He may nullify the things that are,
1CO 1:29
- KJV
- That no flesh should glory in his presence.
- BSB
- so that no one may boast in His presence.
- Koinōnos
- so that no flesh may boast before God.
1CO 1:30
- KJV
- But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- BSB
- It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
- Koinōnos
- But out of Him you yourselves are in Christ Jesus, who has been made wisdom unto us from God — righteousness, and also sanctification and redemption —
1CO 1:31
- KJV
- That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
- BSB
- Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
- Koinōnos
- in order that, even as it has been written: "The one boasting, let him boast in the Lord.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 1:26
- calling:The word translated 'calling' here refers to an invitation or summons, often with the implication of a specific purpose or destiny, rather than just a general vocation.
- flesh [were],:The term translated 'flesh' in this context often refers to humanity in its weakness, mortality, and earthly limitations, rather than just the physical body.
1CO 1:28
- despised:The word translated 'despised' means to treat as nothing, to utterly disregard or hold in contempt, indicating a strong rejection or devaluation.
1CO 1:29
- flesh:The term translated 'flesh' in this context often refers to humanity in its weakness, mortality, and earthly limitations, rather than just the physical body.