1 Corinthians 1:27
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;
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μωρὰ
the foolish things
G3474
μωρὰ
the foolish things
Strong's:
G3474
Word #:
3 of 24
dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e., heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
5 of 24
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καταισχύνῃ
confound
G2617
καταισχύνῃ
confound
Strong's:
G2617
Word #:
12 of 24
to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀσθενῆ
the weak things
G772
ἀσθενῆ
the weak things
Strong's:
G772
Word #:
15 of 24
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
17 of 24
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
20 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καταισχύνῃ
confound
G2617
καταισχύνῃ
confound
Strong's:
G2617
Word #:
22 of 24
to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush
Cross References
James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.1 Corinthians 1:20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?Psalms 8:2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.Matthew 21:16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?2 Corinthians 10:10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.Zephaniah 3:12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church included slaves, women, poor laborers, and social outcasts alongside a few wealthy patrons. That such a motley crew could be transformed into a temple of God's Spirit (3:16) was itself a testimony to divine power, not human wisdom or strength. The gospel inverted social hierarchies, giving dignity to the despised—a revolutionary message in a stratified society.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God choose "the foolish and weak" rather than recruiting the best and brightest?
- How does God's choice of the unlikely "confound" and shame worldly wisdom and power?
- In what areas of your life do you rely on worldly credentials rather than trusting God to work through your weakness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (alla ta mōra tou kosmou exelexato ho theos hina kataischyne tous sophous, kai ta asthene tou kosmou exelexato ho theos hina kataischyne ta ischyra, ἀλλὰ τὰ μωρὰ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τοὺς σοφούς, καὶ τὰ ἀσθενῆ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τὰ ἰσχυρά)—God's choice is deliberate and purposeful: exelexato (ἐξελέξατο, "He chose, selected") is aorist middle, emphasizing God's sovereign initiative. He chose the foolish and the weak by worldly standards to confound (hina kataischyne, ἵνα καταισχύνῃ, "in order to shame, disgrace") the wise and strong.
The verb kataischynō (καταισχύνω, "to put to shame") is strong: God exposes worldly wisdom and power as bankrupt. By choosing the despised and weak, God demonstrates that salvation is His work, not human achievement. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: barren women bearing covenant sons (Sarah, Hannah), a shepherd boy defeating a giant (David), fishermen as apostles—God delights to work through the unlikely to magnify His glory.