Yes, God intentionally chooses the weak and foolish by worldly standards to confound the wise and mighty.
According to 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, God chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and mighty, so that no flesh may glory in His sight. Les Feldick emphasizes that God does not use those with worldly credentials because He wants all glory for Himself, not human pride.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 — These verses directly answer the question by stating that God chooses the foolish and weak to confound the wise and mighty, and that no flesh should glory in His presence.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, explains that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things to confound the mighty. He also uses base and despised things to bring to nothing the things that are, so that no flesh should glory in His presence. This passage reveals God's deliberate strategy: He uses what the world considers weak and foolish to display His wisdom and power, ensuring that all glory goes to Him alone. The Bible further states that the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Les Feldick teaches that God intentionally does not use the great, the wise, the mighty, or the noble, because then they would brag about their own accomplishments. Instead, God chooses the commonplace, the weak, and the foolish by worldly standards, so that no human can glory in His sight. He uses examples from Scripture, such as Moses, who was only usable after his own strength and power were stripped away. Les also points out that even the Apostle Paul was a weak and commonplace individual, not a polished orator, yet God used him mightily. God's purpose is that all glory goes to Him, not to human beings.
Les Feldick explains that God does not use people with all the right credentials—great talent, high IQ, wealth—because then they would be prone to say, "Look what I did." God will not share His glory with human pride. He uses the weak and foolish so that no flesh can glory in His sight.
Les Feldick compares Moses to God's choice of the weak. When Moses was mighty, powerful, and had clout in Egypt, God could not use him; he went out in the energy of the flesh. But after being humbled, God used him. Similarly, Paul was a weak vessel, shaking in his boots, but God used him to shake the philosophers at Mars Hill.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God uses ordinary, commonplace people—those the world scoffs at. He says that if human credentials were needed, he wouldn't be there himself. God uses the things that are despised to confound the wise, and He has a purpose for every believer, not just preachers or teachers.
Why the Cross Is Foolishness to the World — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
And you know, it's not me, but that's the way God works, see? I don't like to give too many stories in this program, you know I don't. But I always have to think of a little anecdote I read years and years ago. These people had an elderly grandfather and father who was so belligerent towards the things spiritual and oh, they could never get him to go to church and he wouldn't listen to anybody wit…
God Chooses the Foolish and Weak
Les explains that God chose the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise and mighty, just as He did with Moses, who was unusable when he was powerful.
Your Body Is God's Temple — What 1 Corinthians 3 Really Means
Foolishness! But unto us who are saved is the power of God. In other words, the unbeliever has to recognize he better go into what he thinks is foolishness, and out of that foolishness that he thinks is foolishness, he can get the wisdom of God. It's that simple. And that's exactly what Paul keeps driving at.
Paul's Example at Mars Hill
Les shows that Paul was a weak vessel in the eyes of philosophers, yet God used him to shake them, proving God's power over human wisdom.
Paul's Commonness and Weakness
Les emphasizes that Paul was not a gifted orator with many degrees; he was commonplace and fearful, yet God used him, showing that God uses the weak and despised.
What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained
But unto them who are called, that is God, and the wisdom of God, because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. But old people don't like to admit that, see. All right, now then let's come back to chapter 4 for just a minute. Verse 21, and then we'll have to end this segment again.
God's Strength in Weakness
Les teaches that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, which is why He never used the great, wealthy, or kings, but always used the commonplace.
No Flesh Should Glory
Les explains that God doesn't use people with impressive credentials because then they would brag, and God won't allow any human to glory in His sight.
1 Corinthians 1:25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
This verse directly addresses the question, showing that God's 'foolishness' and 'weakness' surpass human wisdom and strength.
1 Corinthians 1:27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
This verse explicitly states that God chooses the weak and foolish to shame the wise and mighty.
1 Corinthians 1:28: And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
This verse continues the pattern, showing God uses despised and base things to nullify the world's strength.
1 Corinthians 1:29: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
This verse gives the reason God chooses the weak: to prevent any human from boasting before Him.
God chooses the weak and foolish to confound the wise and mighty, so that no human being can boast before Him. He uses the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are, ensuring that all glory goes to Him.
Les Feldick teaches that God does not typically use those with all the right credentials because they would be prone to take credit themselves. Instead, God uses the commonplace so that His power is evident.
These verses say that God deliberately chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and mighty, and that He does this so that no flesh should glory in His presence. This is a demonstration of God's wisdom and power.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Cross Is Foolishness to the World — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25