1 Corinthians 1:27

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But God chose what the world considers foolish [i.e., people with little apparent ability], in order to shame the “wise people.” And He chose what the world considers weak in order to shame what it considers strong.

Cross References

Matthew 11:25

About that time Jesus said [in prayer], “I thank you, O, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus’ words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like.

Matthew 21:16

They said to Jesus, “Do you hear what these [children] are saying [about you]?” Jesus answered them, “Yes, [I do]. Have you not read [in Psa. 8:2] ‘You have ordained that praise would come from the mouths of infants and small children?’”

Matthew 9:9

As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, “Become my follower.” And he got up and followed Him.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Acts 17:18

Also certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers approached him for discussion. Some asked, “What will this know-it-all have to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating [a belief in] some different gods.” [They said this] because he was proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection [of the dead].

Acts 7:35

But the Hebrews refused [to acknowledge Moses as their leader], saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge [over us]?’ [Nevertheless], God sent him [to Egypt] to be both a ruler and liberator [of the people] through the direction of [His] angel who appeared [to Moses] from the bush.

Acts 7:54

Now when the Council members heard these things they were enraged and ground their teeth at him.

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where is the wise person? And where is the expert in the law? [And] where is the debater of this world?

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since, according to God’s [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the “foolishness” of the message preached.

1 Corinthians 2:12

But we [apostles] did not receive the spirit of the world [i.e., human wisdom. See verse 6], but the Holy Spirit from God, so that we could understand what was freely given to us from God [i.e., the gift of inspiration. See verses 9-10].

2 Corinthians 10:10

For some people are saying, “Paul’s letters are heavy and severe, but in person he is weak [physically (?)] and his speaking ability is unimpressive.”

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure [i.e., the Gospel message] in clay pots [i.e., the mortal bodies of the apostles] to show that the [i.e., its] extraordinary power comes from God and not from us.

James 2:5

Listen, my dearly loved brothers; did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be wealthy in faith and to inherit the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?