Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

B26L4 Why would God deliberately choose the foolish, weak, and despised things of the world — and bypass the brilliant, wealthy, and talented? In this verse-by-verse study of 1 Corinthians 1:27-2:7, Les Feldick reveals the stunning reason: so that no human being can ever brag in God's presence. God will not share His glory with anyone. This lesson picks up at verse 27, where Paul declares that God has chosen the foolish things to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the mighty. Les explains why God couldn't use Moses when he was the second man in Egypt — he had to strip him down to a lowly shepherd first. He then takes a deep dive into 2 Corinthians 12, unpacking Paul's thorn in the flesh and why God permitted a messenger of Satan to buffet him — to keep him from being exalted above measure after seeing the very throne room of heaven. The study cross-references Romans 4:2, showing that even Abraham had no grounds to boast before God. Les then moves into chapter 2, where Paul reminds the Corinthians that he didn't come with excellency of speech or Greek philosophy — he determined to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The lesson closes with the contrast between the wisdom of men and the hidden wisdom of God, which none of the princes of this world understood. 📖 Key Topics Covered: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 — why God chooses the foolish, weak, and despised over the wise and mighty Why God couldn't use Moses as prince of Egypt — he had to become a lowly shepherd first 2 Corinthians 12:4-7 — Paul's thorn in the flesh and why God permitted it Romans 4:2 — why even Abraham had no grounds to boast before God 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 — Christ made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 — why Paul refused to use eloquent wisdom or Greek philosophy in Corinth 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 — the hidden wisdom of God vs. the wisdom of this world Why the simple preaching of Christ crucified is the power of God for salvation This study of 1 Corinthians 1-2 covers the danger of human pride and boasting, the difference between worldly credentials and God's calling, Paul's heavenly vision and the thorn that kept him humble, the role of Satan as God's permitted instrument of affliction, the simplicity of the gospel message, and why our faith must stand in the power of God — not the wisdom of men. Les Feldick Bible Study brings you verse-by-verse Bible teaching that makes the scriptures come alive. Whether you're a new believer or have studied the Bible for decades, these teachings will deepen your understanding of God's Word. Les Feldick has a unique gift for explaining complex biblical concepts in a way that anyone can understand, using scripture to interpret scripture. 📖 Visit our website: www.lesfeldickbiblestudy.com If this study blessed you, please LIKE the video and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this teaching. Your likes and shares help others find these Bible studies. 00:00 — Introduction: 1 Corinthians 1:27 — God Chooses the Foolish to Confound the Wise 00:28 — Review: Moses — From Prince of Egypt to Lowly Shepherd Before God Could Use Him 01:51 — Verse 27: God Chooses the Weak Things to Confound the Mighty 02:36 — Verse 28: God Uses Base and Despised Things — Things the World Ridicules 03:40 — Verse 29: Why God Won't Use the Talented and Wealthy — No Flesh Shall Glory 04:28 — The Israeli's Response: "God Didn't Have a Thing to Do with It — We Did It" 06:19 — Romans 4:2 — Even Abraham Had No Grounds to Boast Before God 07:43 — Paul: From High-Ranking Pharisee to a Nobody Before God Could Use Him 08:20 — 2 Corinthians 12:4-7 — Paul's Heavenly Vision and the Thorn in the Flesh 10:44 — Why God Permitted Satan to Afflict Paul — Lest He Be Exalted Above Measure 13:35 — Job: God Didn't Inflict Job — Satan Did, Under God's Limits 14:29 — In Ourselves We Are Nobody — In Christ We Become Somebody 14:51 — Verse 30: Christ Made Unto Us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption 15:39 — Verse 31: He That Boasts, Let Him Glory Only in the Lord 16:35 — Chapter 2: The Wisdom of This World vs. the Wisdom of God 16:59 — Verse 1-2: Paul Determined to Know Nothing but Christ and Him Crucified 18:07 — The Gospel That Is Almost Forgotten — Christ Died for Your Sins 19:24 — The Eloquent Preacher Who Dropped the Ball at the Threshold of the Gospel 20:56 — Verse 3: Paul Was with the Corinthians in Weakness, Fear, and Trembling 21:49 — Verse 4: Not with Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but in the Power of the Spirit 23:05 — Verse 5: Your Faith Should Not Stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God 24:59 — The Corinthian Believers: Saved Out of Gross Immorality, Growing in Grace 26:05 — Verse 6-7: The Hidden Wisdom of God — Ordained Before the World to Our Glory