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What does 1 Cor 1:26 mean when it says that not many of those who were called were wise, mighty, or noble?

Does this mean that to be born again, one has to have been [literally] foolish, weak and a commoner? If yes, why? If no, why?

1 Corinthians 1:26

ESV - 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Clarify Share Report Asked December 15 2014 9aa51e4b447252291b959c696fb96539 400x400 Jeremiah Kaaya Supporter

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9aa51e4b447252291b959c696fb96539 400x400 Jeremiah Kaaya Supporter Pastor at Springs of Power Church, Teacher by professional
What is most important here to learn and understand is that Salvation is for all who come to Jesus in humility. For, there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved but the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). Jesus calls on whoever is labored and tired of their unrighteous ways, and they will find rest in Him (Matt 11:28). 

All people from all walks of life are welcome in Jesus. It doesn't matter what the magnitude of their sins is. For before God, all sin is equally sin. A carnally seemingly small sin is as equally the same a sin as a perceptionally big sin. In Jesus, a gay, a prostitute, a robber are all as welcome just as a chicken thief is. Social status in terms of education, power, riches or whatever never counts, neither do physical attributes. Nothing but acceptance and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ determines one's salvation.

Despite the fact that many Corinthians had been saved from their hitherto desperate lifestyles and spiritual ignorance, they had gone on to take pride in their social status rather than in having been set free by the grace of Jesus Christ. They were not to boast in their background. For many of them, it had never been a prestigious one. The Apostle Paul had not said this of them simply to weigh them down, but to bring them to the reality and truth of what Salvation is for. For to be Saved is not about what social or economic status one is, height or size, it is about one letting Christ into their hearts. Yet many Corinthians had thought that by virtue of their material possessions and their leadership positions in Church or society, they were supposed to be rated more than others. Equally so, those who had been materially poor and of common origins had viewed themselves as less worthy.

The Church today is very reminiscent of the above scenario. The Church has limited itself to the issues of this world. We have limited ourselves to the concerns and riches of this world rather than placing our hope in; having been saved by the grace of God, and in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to collect a Church without spot nor wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27). 

Jesus came to set us free and assure us of life after death. As followers of Christ, we should no longer be involved in any such confusion as to where and what our spiritual destiny is. As Jesus rose from the dead, so shall we because we believe in Him. All our happiness should stem from having been saved by God from potential spiritual death, rather than from having a nice house, car or whatever riches may be. Yet these material possessions are good for our earthly well being, but they should never be treated as central in our salvation journey because they can never earn us any salvation. We need money to run ministry, but if we engage in ministry to acquire riches, then we are pretty going wrong. For the rich of the world would have been saved from death by their possessions, but all; the rich and the poor die pretty the same. The only difference comes from submission to Jesus Christ.

If you go on to read 1 Cor 1:31, it says; "....That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord". For all that is meaningful is in Christ. If we have Christ, we have all.

Is this to say the wise, the rich, and the noble should not be saved?

No, not at all. But we ought to understand that in spiritual terms, we all; regardless of our earthly status need God in squarely equal measures. Yet even in the Bible days, all sorts of people came to and were accepted by Christ, e.g. Nicodemus (John 3), Joseph of Arimanthea who buried the body of Jesus (Mark 15:43), Cornelius of Caesarea who was a rich man but loved God pretty much (Acts 10), Mary Magdalene who had been formerly an outcast (Luke 7:37-39). So to be or not to be whatever never measures up before God. IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS.

December 18 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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1585419258 JD Wilson Supporter student
Remember in Luke 5:31,32 when Jesus said " Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance". And then also remember He says "For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). I believe the " call " has went out to all but in order to answer the call you have to get down, and become like a child in humility. And like the LORD (Jesus) says " in due time, or at the right time He'll lift us up" to prominece that is to His Glory and not ours.

November 01 2015 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!
Let's back up. Read from 1Corinthians 1: 19 on.

Scripture says I'm going to destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of those who understand. It is talking about those who think they know everything, yet understand nothing of God's ways.

The people who believed Jesus were thought foolish. The Jews wanted signs. The Greeks looked to philosophy. The people who believed God, were thought simple! How can you trust such statements! That is too easy!

1Corinthians 1:27-29, "God chose those who by human standards are fools to shame the wise; He chose those who by human standards are weak to shame the strong, those who by human standards are common and contemptible -indeed those who count for nothing-to reduce to nothing all those that do count for something, so that no human being might feel boastful before God."

This only means that you have to put your whole faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. You are then "born again" it's not a matter of your place, in this life. It is all about believing Him. He is ALL IN ALL!

December 13 2018 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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