1 Corinthians 1:25

23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

26 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.

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.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
KJV
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
WEB
because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
ASV
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
DARBY
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
BLB
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God stronger than men.
ÅB
For Guds dårskap er visere enn menneskene, og Guds svakhet er sterkere enn menneskene.
OTB
For det som synes som dårskap i Gud er klokere enn menneskelig visdom, og det som synes svakt i Gud er sterkere enn menneskelig styrke.
B1930
For Guds dårskap er visere enn menneskene, og Guds svakhet er sterkere enn menneskene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 11:33–36

    O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 1:18

    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 4:6–7

    So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 13:4

    For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 12:7–8

    The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah.

    Read in context
  • Judges 7:2–8

    Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 1:27–29

    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.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 14:2–4

    “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. You are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal-zephon.

    Read in context