Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:27

What does 1 Corinthians 1:27 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:27 means

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things to shame the strong. This is deliberate divine strategy. By saving and using those the world dismisses, God exposes the bankruptcy of human pride. The church becomes a living parable of upside-down grace: what society devalues, God dignifies; what society exalts, God reduces. This choice magnifies God’s initiative and ensures that credit goes to Him. Believers should therefore embrace humility and welcome the lowly, recognizing that usefulness in God’s kingdom depends on His call and power, not on natural impressiveness or cultural acclaim.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But God made selection of the foolish things of this world so that he might put the wise to shame; and the feeble things that he might put to shame the strong;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but the foolish things of the world did God choose, that the wise He may put to shame; and the weak things of the world did God choose that He may put to shame the strong;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

ButGod has chosen the foolish things of the world, that he may put to shame the wise; andGod has chosen the weak things of the world, that he may put to shame the strong things;

Context

This verse expands the point of verse 26 with theological explanation: God’s choice runs counter to worldly criteria. Verse 28 will intensify the language, adding the base, despised, and “things that are not,” to show God’s intention to nullify what is. Verse 29 will state the telos—no boasting. The flow keeps pressing the Corinthians to see their divisions as a betrayal of the gospel’s logic, in which God centers glory on Himself by lifting the lowly and emptying human pretensions.

v.26For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

v.27This passage

v.28and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:10

    For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.

  • Isaiah 29:14

    therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4

    (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);

  • Acts 17:18

    And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

  • Luke 21:15

    for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 1:27.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary