For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But 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; 28And 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: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Verses 26-29 constitute one sentence; if it is all kept in its context, the purpose of God’s choice is clear: “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” The Lord is not going to use the best and the brightest. The world would give them the glory and not God. He will send in the weak and humble so that he gets the glory.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Creation, as well as salvation, is not about us; it is about God. Man is not going to be promoted by his righteousness, his might, his wisdom, his nobility, in glorifying himself. God created all things to manifest his greatness, his glory, his holiness, his goodness, his righteousness, loving-kindness, mercy, and grace.
If you consider it in this fashion, the passage is not hard to understand, especially if the KJV is used. God is not shaming, as many new versions say, but confounding the world and its wisdom.
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