1 Corinthians 1:27

25 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.

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,

29 so that no one may boast in His presence.

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

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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;
WEB
but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.
ASV
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;
DARBY
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world, that he may put to shame the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world, that he may put to shame the strong things;
BLB
But God chose the foolish [things] of the world so that He might shame the wise; and God chose the weak things of the world so that He might shame the strong;
ÅB
men det som er dårlig i verden, det utvalgte Gud seg for å gjøre de vise til skamme, og det som er svakt i verden, det utvalgte Gud seg for å gjøre det sterke til skamme,
OTB
Men Gud har valgt verdens dårskap for å gjøre de vise til skamme, og Gud har valgt verdens svakhet for å gjøre de sterke til skamme,
B1930
men det som er dårlig i verden, det utvalgte Gud sig for å gjøre de vise til skamme, og det som er svakt i verden, det utvalgte Gud sig for å gjøre det sterke til skamme,

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
  • Matthew 11:25

    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
  • 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
  • Psalms 8:2

    From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.

    Read in context
  • Luke 21:15

    For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 29:14

    Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

    The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

    Read in context
  • Acts 4:11–21

    This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

    Read in context