King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:27 Mean?

1 Corinthians 1:27 in the King James Version says “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the wor...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word 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;”

1 Corinthians 1:27 · KJV

Context

25

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

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;

28

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29

That no flesh should glory in his presence .

Read 1 Corinthians 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. Why does God choose "the foolish and weak" rather than recruiting the best and brightest?
  2. How does God's choice of the unlikely "confound" and shame worldly wisdom and power?
  3. In what areas of your life do you rely on worldly credentials rather than trusting God to work through your weakness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 24

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τὰ2 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μωρὰ3 of 24

“the foolish things”

G3474

dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e., heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd

τοῦ4 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμου5 of 24

“of the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἐξελέξατο6 of 24

“hath chosen”

G1586

to select

ὁ7 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς8 of 24

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἵνα9 of 24

“to”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

τοὺς10 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφούς11 of 24

“the wise”

G4680

wise (in a most general application)

καταισχύνῃ12 of 24

“confound”

G2617

to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush

καὶ13 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ14 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀσθενῆ15 of 24

“the weak things”

G772

strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)

τοῦ16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμου17 of 24

“of the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἐξελέξατο18 of 24

“hath chosen”

G1586

to select

ὁ19 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς20 of 24

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἵνα21 of 24

“to”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

καταισχύνῃ22 of 24

“confound”

G2617

to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush

τὰ23 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰσχυρά24 of 24

“the things which are mighty”

G2478

forcible (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 1:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 1:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 2:5Matthew 11:251 Corinthians 1:20Psalms 8:2Isaiah 29:14Luke 21:15

Test Your Knowledge

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