1 Corinthians 1:27-29 meaning...

This is a powerful passage that highlights God's unconventional ways of working in the world.

• God's choice of the foolish and weak: 

The passage begins by emphasizing that God intentionally chooses the foolish and weak things of the world. In contrast to human wisdom and strength, God's ways are often counterintuitive. He doesn't rely on worldly measures of success or prominence. Instead, He chooses those who are considered foolish or weak in the eyes of the world to accomplish His purposes. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to use unexpected individuals and circumstances to achieve His plans.

• Putting worldly wisdom and strength to shame: 

The passage states that God's choice of the foolish and weak is designed to put to shame those who are considered wise and strong. In the face of human wisdom and power, God's unconventional choices highlight their limitations and fallibility. This challenges our natural inclination to rely solely on our own intellect, abilities, or status. It reminds us that true wisdom and strength come from God, not from worldly sources.

• The purpose of God's choices: 

The passage explains that God chooses the lowly, despised, and seemingly insignificant things of the world in order to bring to nothing the things that are considered great. God's intention is to undermine the pride and boasting of human achievements. He does this to ensure that no flesh should boast before Him. In other words, God's plan is to humble humanity and redirect our focus and dependence towards Him alone.

The broader context of 1 Corinthians provides further insight into the significance of this passage. The Corinthian church was divided and influenced by worldly philosophies and the pursuit of worldly wisdom. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, addresses these issues and emphasizes the supremacy of God's wisdom over human wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 continues by saying, "But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, as it is written, 'He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.'" This further underscores the theme of humility and dependence on God's wisdom rather than human wisdom.

The passage challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of success and significance. It reminds us that God's ways often differ from the world's standards. Our human wisdom and strength are limited and ultimately insufficient. We are called to humbly recognize our dependence on God and His wisdom.

God's choice of the foolish and weak encourages us to rely on Him rather than on our own abilities or status. It levels the playing field, reminding us that no one can boast before God. We are to boast only in the Lord, acknowledging that all wisdom and strength come from Him.

In summary, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 challenges our preconceived notions of wisdom and strength. It reminds us that God chooses the foolish, weak, lowly, and despised things of the world to accomplish His purposes. By doing so, He demonstrates His sovereignty and humbles human wisdom and power. We are called to recognize our dependence on God's wisdom and strength rather than relying on our own achievements or worldly measures of success. Let us embrace humility, boasting only in the Lord, and finding our true wisdom and strength in Him.

See also: vs 17-19, & 20-25

1 Corinthians 1:27-29. 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; and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: that no flesh should boast before God.

Context