The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 1:26 Explained

1 Corinthians 1:26

KJV: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men 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.

ASV: For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called :

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Corinthians 1:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This verse reflects that there were few in the Corinthian assembly who came from the higher intellectual and influential levels of their society. This characteristic has marked most local churches throughout history.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - God's Glory In Men's Weakness
Like the sons of Jesse before Samuel, so do the successive regiments on which the world relies pass before Christ. The wise, the mighty, the noble, the great, the things that are! And the King says, I have not chosen these. The warriors with whom He will win the world to Himself are the nobodies, the ciphers, the people who in the world's estimate do not count. Do not depreciate yourself, but give yourself to Him; He will find a niche for you and make your life worth living. Notice that God has put you into union with Christ Jesus. Everything we need for life and godliness is in Him; only let us make all that we can of our wonderful position and possessions.
Paul came to Corinth from Athens, where he had sought to win his hearers by a studied and philosophical discourse as best adapted to their needs. But as he entered Corinth, he appears to have deliberately determined that his theme would be the crucified Lord, and expressed in the simplest phrases. When we speak the truth as it is in Jesus, the Spirit is ever at hand to enforce our testimony by His demonstration and power. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 1

1  After his salutation and thanksgiving for the Corinthians,
10  Paul exhorts them to unity,
12  and reproves their dissensions
18  God destroys the wisdom of the wise,
21  by the foolishness of preaching;
26  and calls not the wise, mighty, and noble,
28  but the foolish, weak, and men of no account

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 1:26

Behold [βλεπετε]
Same form for imperative present active plural and indicative. Either makes sense as in John 5:39 εραυνατε — eraunate and John 14:1 πιστευετε — pisteuete [source]
Calling [κλησιν]
The act of calling by God, based not on the external condition of those called Explanatory apposition to κλησιν — klēsin After the flesh According to the standards of the flesh and to be used not only with σοποι — sophoi (wise, philosophers), but also δυνατοι — dunatoi (men of dignity and power), ευγενεις — eugeneis (noble, high birth), the three claims to aristocracy (culture, power, birth). Are called. Not in the Greek, but probably to be supplied from the idea in κλησιν — klēsin f0). [source]
How that [οτι]
Explanatory apposition to κλησιν — klēsin [source]
After the flesh [κατα σαρκα]
According to the standards of the flesh and to be used not only with σοποι — sophoi (wise, philosophers), but also δυνατοι — dunatoi (men of dignity and power), ευγενεις — eugeneis (noble, high birth), the three claims to aristocracy (culture, power, birth). Are called. Not in the Greek, but probably to be supplied from the idea in κλησιν — klēsin f0). [source]
Are called []
. Not in the Greek, but probably to be supplied from the idea in κλησιν — klēsin f0). [source]
Calling [κλῆσιν]
Not condition of life, but your calling by God; not depending on wisdom, power, or lineage. [source]
Noble [εὐγενεῖς]
Of high birth. So originally, though as Greece became democratic, it came to signify merely the better sort of freemen. Plato applies it to the children of native Athenians (“Menexenus,” 237). Aeschylus makes Clytaemnestra say to the captive Cassandra that if slavery must befall one there is an advantage in having masters of ancient family property instead of those who have become unexpectedly rich (“Agamemnon,” 1010). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 1:26

Acts 17:11 More noble than those [ευγενεστεροι των]
Comparative form of ευγενης — eugenēs old and common adjective, but in N.T. only here and Luke 19:12; 1 Corinthians 1:26. Followed by ablative case των — tōn as often after the comparative. [source]
Acts 2:17 Dream dreams [ενυπνιοις ενυπνιαστησονται]
Shall dream with (instrumental case) dreams. First future passive of ενυπνιαζω — enupniaz from ενυπνιος — enupnios Intensive particle γε — ge added to και — kai (and), an emphatic addition (=Hebrew vegam). Servants Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). But the word “prophesy” here is not in the lxx (or the Hebrew). [source]
Acts 2:17 Servants [δουλους]
Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). But the word “prophesy” here is not in the lxx (or the Hebrew). [source]
Acts 2:17 handmaidens [δουλας]
Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). But the word “prophesy” here is not in the lxx (or the Hebrew). [source]
Acts 2:17 I will pour forth [εκχεω]
Future active indicative of εκχεω — ekcheō This future like εδομαι — edomai and πιομαι — piomai is without tense sign, probably like the present in the futuristic sense (Robertson, Grammar, p. 354). Westcott and Hort put a different accent on the future, but the old Greek had no accent. The old Greek had εκχευσω — ekcheusō This verb means to pour out. Of my Spirit (απο του πνευματος — apo tou pneumatos). This use of απο — apo (of) is either because of the variety in the manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) or because the Spirit in his entirety remains with God (Holtzmann, Wendt). But the Hebrew has it: “I will pour out my Spirit” without the partitive idea in the lxx. And your daughters Anna is called a prophetess in Luke 2:36 and the daughters of Philip prophesy (Acts 21:9) and Acts 2:18 (handmaidens). See also 1 Corinthians 11:5 Visions (ορασεις — horaseis). Late word for the more common οραμα — horama both from οραω — horaō to see. In Revelation 4:3 it means appearance, but in Revelation 9:17 as here an ecstatic revelation or vision. Dream dreams Shall dream with (instrumental case) dreams. First future passive of ενυπνιαζω — enupniaz from ενυπνιος — enupnios Intensive particle γε — ge added to και — kai (and), an emphatic addition (=Hebrew vegam). Servants Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). But the word “prophesy” here is not in the lxx (or the Hebrew). [source]
Acts 2:17 And your daughters [και αι τυγατερες μων]
Anna is called a prophetess in Luke 2:36 and the daughters of Philip prophesy (Acts 21:9) and Acts 2:18 (handmaidens). See also 1 Corinthians 11:5 Visions (ορασεις — horaseis). Late word for the more common οραμα — horama both from οραω — horaō to see. In Revelation 4:3 it means appearance, but in Revelation 9:17 as here an ecstatic revelation or vision. Dream dreams Shall dream with (instrumental case) dreams. First future passive of ενυπνιαζω — enupniaz from ενυπνιος — enupnios Intensive particle γε — ge added to και — kai (and), an emphatic addition (=Hebrew vegam). Servants Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). But the word “prophesy” here is not in the lxx (or the Hebrew). [source]
Romans 15:1 We the strong [ημεις οι δυνατοι]
Paul identifies himself with this wing in the controversy. He means the morally strong as in 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Corinthians 13:9, not the mighty as in 1 Corinthians 1:26. [source]
1 Corinthians 7:20 Calling [κλήσει]
Not the condition or occupation, a meaning which the word does not have in classical Greek, nor in the New Testament, where it always signifies the call of God into His kingdom through conversion. Paul means: If God's call was to you as a circumcised man or as an uncircumcised man; as a slave or as a freedman - abide in that condition. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:26. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:27 God chose [εχελεχατο ο τεος]
First aorist middle of εκλεγω — eklegō old verb to pick out, to choose, the middle for oneself. It expands the idea in κλησιν — klēsin (1 Corinthians 1:26). Three times this solemn verb occurs here with the purpose stated each time. Twice the same purpose is expressed, that he might put to shame The purpose in the third example is that he might bring to naught The contrast is complete in each paradox: the foolish things It is a studied piece of rhetoric and powerfully put. [source]
1 Corinthians 4:6 That in us ye may learn [ινα εν ημιν ματητε]
Final clause with ινα — hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of μαντανω — manthanō to learn. As an object lesson in our cases It is no more true of Paul and Apollos than of other ministers, but the wrangles in Corinth started about them. So Paul boldly puts himself and Apollos to the fore in the discussion of the principles involved. Not to go beyond the things which are written (το Μη υπερ α γεγραπται — to Mē huper ha gegraptai). It is difficult to reproduce the Greek idiom in English. The article το — to is in the accusative case as the object of the verb ματητε — mathēte (learn) and points at the words “Μη υπερ α γεγραπται — Mē huper ha gegraptai apparently a proverb or rule, and elliptical in form with no principal verb expressed with μη — mē whether “think” (Auth.) or “go” (Revised). There was a constant tendency to smooth out Paul‘s ellipses as in 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 1:26, 1 Corinthians 1:31. Lightfoot thinks that Paul may have in mind O.T. passages quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Corinthians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 3:20. That ye be not puffed up Sub-final use of ινα — hina (second use in this sentence) with notion of result. It is not certain whether πυσιουστε — phusiousthe (late verb form like πυσιαω πυσαω — phusiaōινα — phusaō to blow up, to inflate, to puff up), used only by Paul in the N.T., is present indicative with ζηλουτε — hina like ινα γινωσκομεν — zēloute in Galatians 4:17 (cf. Πυσιοω — hina ginōskomen in 1 John 5:20) or the present subjunctive by irregular contraction (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 203, 342f.), probably the present indicative. πυσις — Phusioō is from πυσαω — phusis (nature) and so meant to make natural, but it is used by Paul just like πυσιαω — phusaō or πυσα — phusiaō (from εις υπερ του ενος κατα του ετερου — phusa a pair of bellows), a vivid picture of self-conceit. One for the one against the other (υπερ — heis huper tou henos kata tou heterou). This is the precise idea of this idiom of partitive apposition. This is the rule with partisans. They are “for” (κατα — huper) the one and “against” (του ετερου — kata down on, the genitive case) the other (ετεροδοχ — tou heterou not merely another or a second, but the different sort, heterodox). [source]
1 Corinthians 4:6 Not to go beyond the things which are written [το Μη υπερ α γεγραπται]
It is difficult to reproduce the Greek idiom in English. The article το — to is in the accusative case as the object of the verb ματητε — mathēte (learn) and points at the words “Μη υπερ α γεγραπται — Mē huper ha gegraptai apparently a proverb or rule, and elliptical in form with no principal verb expressed with μη — mē whether “think” (Auth.) or “go” (Revised). There was a constant tendency to smooth out Paul‘s ellipses as in 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 1:26, 1 Corinthians 1:31. Lightfoot thinks that Paul may have in mind O.T. passages quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Corinthians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 3:20. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 For [ὅτι]
Incorrect. Rend. how that. It is explanatory of your election. For similar usage see 1 Corinthians 1:26. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11 That [ινα]
Common after προσευχομαι — proseuchomai (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 1:17; Philemon 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose). Count you worthy (υμας αχιωσηι — humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like καταχιοω — kataxioō in 2 Thessalonians 1:5 with genitive. Of your calling Κλησις — Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης — kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια — Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη — Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη — ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος — agathos good, akin to αγαμαι — agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει — en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι — plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11 Of your calling [της κλησεως]
Κλησις — Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης — kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια — Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη — Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη — ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος — agathos good, akin to αγαμαι — agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει — en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι — plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Timothy 1:12 Able [δυνατός]
Often used with a stronger meaning, as 1 Corinthians 1:26, mighty; Acts 25:5, οἱδυνατοὶ thechief men: as a designation of God, ὁ δυνατός themighty one, Luke 1:49: of preeminent ability or power in something, as of Jesus, δυνατός ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ mightyin deed and word, Luke 24:19: of spiritual agencies, “The weapons of our warfare are δυνατὰ mightyetc., 2 Corinthians 10:4. Very often in lxx. [source]
James 2:5 As to the world [τωι κοσμωι]
The ethical dative of interest, as the world looks at it as in Acts 7:20; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 10:4; James 4:4. By the use of the article (the poor) James does not affirm that God chose all the poor, but only that he did choose poor people (Matthew 10:23-26; 1 Corinthians 1:26-28).Rich in faith (πλουσιους εν πιστει — plousious en pistei). Rich because of their faith. As he has shown in James 1:9.Which he promised Genitive of the accusative relative ην — hēn attracted to the case of the antecedent βασιλειας — basileias (the Messianic kingdom), the same verb and idea already in James 1:12 Cf. the beatitude of Jesus in Matthew 5:3 for the poor in spirit. [source]
Revelation 2:9 Thy tribulation and thy poverty [σου την τλιπσιν και πτωχειαν]
Separate articles of same gender, emphasizing each item. The tribulation was probably persecution, which helped to intensify the poverty of the Christians (James 2:5; 1 Corinthians 1:26; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 8:2). In contrast with the wealthy church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17). [source]
Revelation 3:8 A little power [και]
Probably “little power,” little influence or weight in Philadelphia, the members probably from the lower classes (1 Corinthians 1:26.).And didst keep (τηρεω — kai etērēsas). “And yet (adversative use of ουκ ηρνησω — kai) didst keep” (first aorist active indicative of αρνεομαι — tēreō) my word in some crisis of trial. See John 17:6 for the phrase “keeping the word.”Didst not deny First aorist middle indicative second person singular of arneomai The issue was probably forced by the Jews (cf. Revelation 2:9), but they stood true. [source]
Revelation 3:8 Which [ηναυτην]
Pleonastic vernacular and Hebrew repetition of the personal pronoun ην — autēn (it) after the relative οτι — hēn (which). Direct reference to the statement in Revelation 3:7.That (οιδα σου τα εργα — hoti). This conjunction resumes the construction of ιδουαυτην — oida sou ta erga (I know thy works) after the parenthesis (μικραν δυναμιν — idou- και ετηρησας — autēn Behold - shut).A little power Probably “little power,” little influence or weight in Philadelphia, the members probably from the lower classes (1 Corinthians 1:26.).And didst keep (τηρεω — kai etērēsas). “And yet (adversative use of ουκ ηρνησω — kai) didst keep” (first aorist active indicative of αρνεομαι — tēreō) my word in some crisis of trial. See John 17:6 for the phrase “keeping the word.”Didst not deny First aorist middle indicative second person singular of arneomai The issue was probably forced by the Jews (cf. Revelation 2:9), but they stood true. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 1:26 mean?

Consider for the calling of you brothers that not many wise according to flesh [were] powerful of noble birth
Βλέπετε γὰρ τὴν κλῆσιν ὑμῶν ἀδελφοί ὅτι οὐ πολλοὶ σοφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα δυνατοί εὐγενεῖς

Βλέπετε  Consider 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.
κλῆσιν  calling 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: κλῆσις  
Sense: a calling, calling to.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἀδελφοί  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
πολλοὶ  many 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
σοφοὶ  wise 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: σοφός  
Sense: wise.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
σάρκα  flesh  [were] 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σάρξ  
Sense: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts.
δυνατοί  powerful 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: δυνατός  
Sense: able, powerful, mighty, strong.
εὐγενεῖς  of  noble  birth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: εὐγενής  
Sense: well born, of noble race.