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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 1:27 - 1:27
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God chose (exelexato ho theos). First aorist middle of eklegō, old verb to pick out, to choose, the middle for oneself. It expands the idea in klēsin (1Co 1:26). Three times this solemn verb occurs here with the purpose stated each time. Twice the same purpose is expressed, that he might put to shame (hina kataischunēi, first aorist active subjunctive with hina of old verb kataischunō, perfective use of kata). The purpose in the third example is that he might bring to naught (hina katargēsēi, make idle, argos, rare in old Greek, but frequent in Paul). The contrast is complete in each paradox: the foolish things (ta mōra), the wild men (tous sophous); the weak things (ta asthenē), the strong things (ta ischura); the things that are not (ta mē onta), and that are despised (ta exouthenēmena, considered nothing, perfect passive participle of exoutheneō), the things that are (ta onta). It is a studied piece of rhetoric and powerfully put.