“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
1 Corinthians 1:26–28

This is about the seventh time Paul mentions the word “call” or “calling.” The chapter begins with Paul describing himself as “called to be an apostle” (1:1). He writes to the believers in Corinth who are “called out” ones (1:2). The word church—ekklesia—means “called out.” They were those who were “called saints,” meaning set apart (1:2). They were also linked and interdependent with all who, in every place, call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The calling of the believer is extremely important, though we often lose sight of its significance. In this first chapter, Paul reminds us that every Christian is called to be holy (vv. 1–9). We have been “called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (vv. 9–25). And we are called to glorify God and Christ (vv. 26–31).

In today’s passage, Paul urges us to carefully consider our calling. We must recognize that God did not call us because of what we were—but in spite of what we were! If God had called us based on who we are or what we could offer Him, pride and arrogance would have quickly taken over. But God did something different—something only He could do—so that He alone receives the glory for such a gracious and loving plan of salvation.

He has chosen the foolish things of this world to shame the wise.
He has chosen the weak things to shame the mighty.
He has chosen the base and despised things—yes, even the things that are nothing—to bring to nothing the things that are.

Why? So that “no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Paul concludes: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Cor. 1:30–31).

Anchor For Today:
There is no room for man’s glory in the presence of God. It’s not about you or me—it’s about giving all glory and praise to the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.