# Where is “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” in the Bible?

> “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” is 1 Corinthians 1:27.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/god-chose-the-foolish-things-to-shame-the-wise
By Andrew Kittridge · November 11, 2026

Paul writes it to the church in Corinth.

## The verse

> Consider your calling, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
>
> — [1 Corinthians 1:26-27](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-corinthians/1#26) (Lumin Translation)

English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here.

## What it means there

Paul reminds the church that few of them were wise, powerful or well born when God called them. God picked the weak and the overlooked so that no one could boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:29). The message of the cross looks foolish to the world in the same way.

## Common questions

### Where is “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” in the Bible?

“God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” is 1 Corinthians 1:27. English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here. Paul writes it to the church in Corinth.

### Is “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” in the Bible?

Yes. It is 1 Corinthians 1:27. In the Lumin Translation, 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 reads: “Consider your calling, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the…”

### Who said “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise”?

Paul writes it to the church in Corinth.

### What does “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise” mean in the Bible?

Paul reminds the church that few of them were wise, powerful or well born when God called them. God picked the weak and the overlooked so that no one could boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:29). The message of the cross looks foolish to the world in the same way.

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