1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5

Christian Standard Bible

Boasting Only in the Lord

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,^[a] not many powerful,^(A) not many of noble birth. ²⁷ Instead, God has chosen^(B) what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world^(C)—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, ²⁹ so that no one^[b] may boast in his presence.^{(D) 30} It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness,^(E) sanctification,^(F) and redemption^(G)— ³¹ in order that, as it is written:^(H) Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^[c](I)

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery^[d] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance^(J) of speech^(K) or wisdom. ² I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.^{(L) 3} I came to you in weakness,^(M) in fear,^(N) and in much trembling.^{(O) 4} My speech^(P) and my preaching were not with persuasive^(Q) words of wisdom^[e] but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.^(R)