1 Corinthians 1:26

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

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

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.

28 He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,

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

Compare

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.
KJV
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
WEB
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
ASV
For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
DARBY
For consider your calling, brethren, that [there are] not many wise according to flesh, not many powerful, not many high-born.
BLB
For consider your⁺ calling, brothers, that not many [were] wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.
ÅB
For legg merke til deres kall, brødre, at ikke mange vise etter kjødet ble kalt, ikke mange mektige, ikke mange høybårne;
OTB
For betrakt deres kall, brødre og søstre, at det ikke var mange vise etter kjødet, ikke mange mektige, ikke mange adelige;
B1930
For legg merke til eders kall, brødre, at ikke mange vise efter kjødet blev kalt, ikke mange mektige, ikke mange høibårne;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • James 2:5

    Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 3:18–20

    Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 2:8

    None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

    Read in context
  • James 1:9–11

    The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 11:25–26

    At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:24–25

    Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!

    Read in context
  • Luke 10:21

    At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

    Read in context