1 Corinthians 1 · Verse 26

1 Corinthians 1:26

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

1 Corinthians 1:26, King James Version

1 Corinthians 1:26 in other translations

BSB	Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
WEB	For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
ASV	For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
YLT	for see your calling, brethren, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
DARBY	For consider your calling, brethren, that there are not many wise according to flesh, not many powerful, not many high-born.
BBE	For you see God's design for you, my brothers, that he has not taken a great number of the wise after the flesh, not the strong, not the noble:
Webster	For ye see your calling, brethren, that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called:

What does 1 Corinthians 1:26 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

26. ye see--rather, from the prominence of the verb in the Greek, "see" or "consider" (imperative) [Alford from Vulgate and Irenæus]. your calling ... are called--Instead of the words in italics, supplied by English Version, supply, "were your callers." What Paul is dwelling on (compare 1Co 1:27, 28) is the weakness of the instrumentality which the Lord employed to convert the world [Hinds and Whately; so Anselm]. However, English Version accords well with 1Co 1:24. "The whole history of the expansion of the Church is a progressive victory of the ignorant over the learned, the lowly over the lofty, until the emperor himself laid down his crown before the cross of Christ" [Olshausen]. wise ... after the flesh--the wisdom of this world acquired by human study without the Spirit. (Contrast Mt 16:17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 26. For ye see your calling. You know the general character and condition of those who are Christians among you, that they have not been generally taken from the wise, the rich, and the learned, but from humble life. The design of the apostle here is to show that the gospel did not depend for its Success on human wisdom. His argument is, that in fact those who were blessed by it had not been of the elevated ranks of life mainly, but that God had shown his Power.by choosing those who were ignorant, and vicious, and abandoned, and by reforming and purifying their lives The verb "ye see," βλεπετε is ambiguous, and may be either in the indicative mood, as our translators have rendered it, "ye do see; you are well apprized of it, and know it;" or it may be in the imperative, "see, contemplate your condition ;" but the sense is substantially the same. Your calling, τηνκλησιν, means "those who are called," 1Cor 1:9; as "the circumcision" means those who are circumcised, Rom 3:30. The sense is, "Look upon the condition of those who are Christians."

Not many wise men. Not many who are regarded as wise; or who are ranked with philosophers. This supposes that there were some of that description, though the mass of Christians were then, as now, from more humble ranks of life. That there were some of high rank and wealth at Corinth who became Christians, is well known. Crispus and Sosthenes, rulers of the synagogue there, (Acts 18:8,17, comp. 1Cor 1:1;) Gaius, rich, hospitable man, Rom 16:23; and Erastus, the chancellor of the city of Corinth, Rom 16:23, had been converted, and were members of the church. Some have supposed (Macknight) that this should be rendered, "not many mighty, wise, etc., call you; that is, God has not employed the wise and the learned to call you into his kingdom." But the sense in our translation is evidently the correct interpretation, it is the obvious sense; and it agrees with the design of the apostle, which was to show that God had not consulted the wisdom, and power, and wealth of men, in the establishment of his church. So the Syriac and the Vulgate render it.

After the flesh. According to the maxims and principles of a sensual and worldly policy; according to the views of men when under the influence of those principles; i.e., who are unrenewed. The flesh here stands opposed to the spirit; the views of the men of this world in contradistinction from the wisdom that is from above.

Not many mighty. Not many men of power; or men sustaining important offices in the state. Comp. Rev 6:15. The word may refer to those who wield power of any kind, whether derived from office, from rank, from wealth, etc.

Not many noble. Not many of illustrious birth, or descended from illustrious families ευγενεις, well-born. In respect to each of these classes, the apostle does not say that there were no men of wealth, and power, and birth, but that the mass or body of Christians was not composed of such. They were made up of those who were in humble life. There were a few, indeed, of rank and property, as there are now; but then, as now, the great mass were composed of those who were from the lower conditions of society. The reason why God had chosen his people from that rank is stated in 1Cor 1:29. The character of many of those who composed the church at Corinth, before their conversion, is stated in 1Cor 6:9-11, which see.

(a) "not many wise" Zeph 3:12, Jn 7:48

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 26 Ye see your calling - Την κλησιν. The state of grace and blessedness to which ye are invited. I think, βλεπετε την κλησιν, etc., should be read in the imperative: Take heed to, or consider your calling, brethren; that (ὁτι) not many of you are wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble: men is not in the original, and Paul seems to allude to the Corinthian believers in particular. This seems to have been said in opposition to the high and worldly notions of the Jews, who assert that the Divine Spirit never rests upon any man, unless he be wise, powerful, and rich. Now this Divine Spirit did rest upon the Christians at Corinth, and yet these were, in the sense of the world, neither wise, rich, nor noble. We spoil, if not corrupt the apostle's meaning, by adding are called, as if God did not send his Gospel to the wise, the powerful, and the noble, or did not will their salvation. The truth is, the Gospel has an equal call to all classes of men; but the wise, the mighty, and the noble, are too busy, or too sensual, to pay any attention to an invitation so spiritual and so Divine; and therefore there are few of these in the Church of Christ in general.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor statesmen, nor men of wealth, and power, and interest in the world, to publish the gospel of grace and peace. He best judges what men and what measures serve the purposes of his glory. Though not many noble are usually called by Divine grace, there have been some such in every age, who have not been ashamed of the gospel of Christ; and persons of every rank stand in need of pardoning grace. Often, a humble Christian, though poor as to this world, has more true knowledge of the gospel, than those who have made the letter of Scripture the study of their lives, but who have studied it rather as the witness of men, than as the word of God. And even young children have gained such knowledge of Divine truth as to silence infidels. The reason is, they are taught of God; the design is, that no flesh should glory in his presence. That distinction, in which alone they might glory, was not of themselves. It was by the sovereign choice and regenerating grace of God, that they were in Jesus Christ by faith. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; all we need, or can desire. And he is made wisdom to us, that by his word and Spirit, and from his fulness and treasures of wisdom and knowledge, we may receive all that will make us wise unto salvation, and fit for every service to which we are called. We are guilty, liable to just punishment; and he is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt, and he is made sanctification, that he may in the end be made complete redemption; may free the soul from the being of sin, and loose the body from the bonds of the grave. And this is, that all flesh, according to the prophecy by Jeremiah, Jer 9:23-24, may glory in the special favour, all-sufficient grace, and precious salvation of Jehovah.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 1:26 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΒλέπετεBlepeteConsiderG991

γὰρgarforG1063

τὴνtēntheG3588

κλῆσινklēsincallingG2821

ὑμῶν,humōnof you,G4771

ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80

ὅτιhotithatG3754

οὐounotG3756

πολλοὶpolloimanyG4183

σοφοὶsophoiwiseG4680

κατὰkataaccording toG2596

σάρκα,sarkaflesh [were],G4561

οὐounotG3756

πολλοὶpolloimanyG4183

δυνατοί,dunatoipowerful,G1415

οὐounotG3756

πολλοὶpolloimanyG4183

εὐγενεῖς,eugeneisof noble birth,G2104

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 1:26

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
1 Corinthians 3:18-20
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Corinthians 2:8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
James 1:9-11
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Matthew 11:25-26
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. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Luke 18:24-25
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Zephaniah 3:12
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
Luke 1:3
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
James 3:13-17
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

that.
20; 2:3-6,13; 3:18-20; Zep 3:12; Mt 11:25,26; Lu 10:21; Joh 7:47-49
Jas 3:13-17
not many mighty.
Lu 1:3; *Gr:
Lu 18:24,25; Joh 4:46-53; 19:38,39; Ac 13:7,12; 17:34; Php 4:22
Jas 1:9-11; 2:5; 2Jo 1:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:26
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1 Corinthians 1:27
But 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;

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:26 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque mirad, hermanos, vuestra vocación, que no sois muchos sabios según la carne, no muchos poderosos, no muchos nobles;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car considérez votre appel, frères, – qu’il n’y a pas beaucoup de sages selon la chair, pas beaucoup de puissants, pas beaucoup de nobles,…
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn sehet eure Berufung, Brüder, daß es nicht viele Weise nach dem Fleische, nicht viele Mächtige, nicht viele Edle sind;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Videte enim vocationem vestram, fratres, quia non multi sapientes secundum carnem, non multi potentes, non multi nobiles: