# Is “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called” in the Bible?

> No. “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/god-does-not-call-the-qualified
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

The line is not a verse, though the idea has roots in Scripture: God chose what is foolish and weak in the world (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), and Paul says “our qualification comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Not in the Bible. Origin uncertain.

## What the Bible says instead

> 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)

> Not that we are qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our qualification comes from God.
>
> — [2 Corinthians 3:5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-corinthians/3#5) (Lumin Translation)

> But Moses said to Yahweh, “Please, Lord, I have never been a man of words, not in the past and not since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Yahweh said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? Now go. I will be with your mouth and will teach you what to say.”
>
> — [Exodus 4:10-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/4#10) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called” in the Bible?

No. “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called” is not in the Bible. The line is not a verse, though the idea has roots in Scripture: God chose what is foolish and weak in the world (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), and Paul says “our qualification comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, 2 Corinthians 3:5, Exodus 4:10-12. The line is not a verse, though the idea has roots in Scripture: God chose what is foolish and weak in the world (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), and Paul says “our qualification comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

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