26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Commentary
Vs. 26 The Apostle Paul having renounced the wisdom of this world. Now asks us to consider our own calling, that is how we came to know God, and Jesus Christ personally, as our Lord and Savior? Was it because we were "wise", or "mighty", or "noble" that God called us to Himself to be His own? Indeed as the Apostle states here, just as the whole Scripture also shows as a pattern, God does not chose many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble are called by Him. Not that these are not sometimes called by Him, rather the vast majority of God's children and servants are in fact called by Him when they are just ordinary people, through whom He then equips and empowers by His Spirit to live extraordinary lives. In fact as the Apostle Paul states, God often intentionally chooses people who are the antithesis of what this world considers "wise", "mighty", or "noble". The reason for God doing this is stated in verse twenty nine, so that no flesh should glory in His presence. That is no person should glory in themselves (or have others glory in them) because of their abilities, their attributes, their person, position, might, or standing. For its not what we bring to the "table" that qualifies us in the sight of God, it's what God can bring to us, and do through us, is what God is most often looking for from us.
And so the Apostle Paul having stated in verse twenty six that God does not chose many wise, or mighty, or noble, according to the flesh. That is, God does not chose many who are of great learning, or are intellectually astute to make His Person, Power, and Salvation known. Similarly God does not choose many who are mighty in this world. That is people of great skills, abilities, power, or influence. People who describe themselves, or think of themselves as "self-made." Thus people whose dependence is ultimately on themselves and their own "resources". Nor does God choose many who are noble. That is people who are "well-born", people of high standing, rank, or status in society, which makes them in the their own eyes, and the eyes of others, "preeminent." And so instead of choosing them. The Apostle Paul will present to us in verses 27-29 the antithesis of that fleshly or carnal wisdom that puts mankind and their attributes, abilities, and power etc. front and center for exaltation and glorification by all who are like minded (consider 1 John 2:15-17).
Vs. 27-29 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence."
And so it is that God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise. That is those things that are foolish in the eyes of this world and people of it. Foolish then only by what this world believes and values. Literally what is non-sense in their eyes. God has chosen these to put to shame the "wise". Similarly God has chosen the weak things of this world to put the shame the things which are mighty. Now weak here means more than just physical weakness, it means "powerless." Finally God has chosen the base things of this world and the things which are despised to put to shame the the things that are. Now base here means lowly, obscure, insignificant, "inferior", not of noble birth or high standing. Not "noteworthy". While despised indicates one who is considered as worthless based upon that which is ultimately "worthless" (LN). Whether this is one's own righteousness, goodness, social standing, physical or mental skills, attributes, or anything else through which one considers themselves "superior" to another, and thus despises another. And so it is God who does not see as man sees (see 1 Samuel 16:7) has chosen for Himself all of us who are foolish, weak, base, and or despised by this world's "wisdom" and thus Godless standards and values. The reason that God has chosen us is so that no-flesh should glory in His Presence (vs. 29). That is glory in what they know, or what they are, or what they can do, or what they have been and done etc. All which is nothing before the Infinite and Almighty. Therefore let us all glory only in the Lord!
Vs. 30-31 "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
And so in contrast to the "wisdom" of this world that again ultimately looks to itself and thus glories in itself. The Apostle Paul now says of every one of us who have been called by Christ and thus believe in Him. That all that we are and have comes through Christ Jesus. For it is Christ Jesus alone who became for us all wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Four things which no person can have or attain too by themselves. Thus God through His Son Jesus has met every persons greatest need and that is reconciliation with Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son. If you have never made a personal decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and thus trust Him and Him alone to bring you into a right and restored relationship with God the Father. Then please do so now. By a simple prayer of faith invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life (Rev. 3:20) and He will come into you and not only save you from your sins and transgressions but He will transform your person and life. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe You died on the cross for my salvation (John 3:16), and that You rose from the dead the third day so that You could impart new and everlasting life in me the moment I believe in You. Therefore I now invite You Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
And so the Apostle Paul having stated in verse twenty six that God does not chose many wise, or mighty, or noble, according to the flesh. That is, God does not chose many who are of great learning, or are intellectually astute to make His Person, Power, and Salvation known. Similarly God does not choose many who are mighty in this world. That is people of great skills, abilities, power, or influence. People who describe themselves, or think of themselves as "self-made." Thus people whose dependence is ultimately on themselves and their own "resources". Nor does God choose many who are noble. That is people who are "well-born", people of high standing, rank, or status in society, which makes them in the their own eyes, and the eyes of others, "preeminent." And so instead of choosing them. The Apostle Paul will present to us in verses 27-29 the antithesis of that fleshly or carnal wisdom that puts mankind and their attributes, abilities, and power etc. front and center for exaltation and glorification by all who are like minded (consider 1 John 2:15-17).
Vs. 27-29 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence."
And so it is that God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise. That is those things that are foolish in the eyes of this world and people of it. Foolish then only by what this world believes and values. Literally what is non-sense in their eyes. God has chosen these to put to shame the "wise". Similarly God has chosen the weak things of this world to put the shame the things which are mighty. Now weak here means more than just physical weakness, it means "powerless." Finally God has chosen the base things of this world and the things which are despised to put to shame the the things that are. Now base here means lowly, obscure, insignificant, "inferior", not of noble birth or high standing. Not "noteworthy". While despised indicates one who is considered as worthless based upon that which is ultimately "worthless" (LN). Whether this is one's own righteousness, goodness, social standing, physical or mental skills, attributes, or anything else through which one considers themselves "superior" to another, and thus despises another. And so it is God who does not see as man sees (see 1 Samuel 16:7) has chosen for Himself all of us who are foolish, weak, base, and or despised by this world's "wisdom" and thus Godless standards and values. The reason that God has chosen us is so that no-flesh should glory in His Presence (vs. 29). That is glory in what they know, or what they are, or what they can do, or what they have been and done etc. All which is nothing before the Infinite and Almighty. Therefore let us all glory only in the Lord!
Vs. 30-31 "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
And so in contrast to the "wisdom" of this world that again ultimately looks to itself and thus glories in itself. The Apostle Paul now says of every one of us who have been called by Christ and thus believe in Him. That all that we are and have comes through Christ Jesus. For it is Christ Jesus alone who became for us all wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Four things which no person can have or attain too by themselves. Thus God through His Son Jesus has met every persons greatest need and that is reconciliation with Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son. If you have never made a personal decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and thus trust Him and Him alone to bring you into a right and restored relationship with God the Father. Then please do so now. By a simple prayer of faith invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life (Rev. 3:20) and He will come into you and not only save you from your sins and transgressions but He will transform your person and life. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe You died on the cross for my salvation (John 3:16), and that You rose from the dead the third day so that You could impart new and everlasting life in me the moment I believe in You. Therefore I now invite You Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
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