1 Corinthians 1:26

1 Corinthians 1:26 Meaning and Explanation

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

Paul reminds the Corinthians that not many of them were wise, powerful, or highborn by worldly standards.

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:26 Mean?

Paul asks the Corinthians to look honestly at themselves, at the kind of people God called. By the world's reckoning, not many of them were wise, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.

This is meant to humble and to encourage. They cannot boast as though God chose them for their impressive credentials, for most of them had none. Yet God called them anyway, which only magnifies His grace. The same pattern that put the cross at the center is at work in the church itself: God delights to gather the lowly, so that the glory belongs to Him and not to the standing of those He saves.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 1:26

What does 1 Corinthians 1:26 mean?

Paul reminds the Corinthians that not many of them were wise, powerful, or highborn by worldly standards.

Keep Studying 1 Corinthians 1

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.