1 Corinthians 1:27
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 1:27
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;
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 1 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of grace, obedience, love. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 1:27
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;
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- References God: 1 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 4:7, James 2:5
- Parallel theme: Psalms 8:2, Isaiah 29:14, Zephaniah 3:12, Matthew 11:25, 21:16, Luke 21:15