{God chose} (exelexato ho theos). First aorist middle of
ekleg(935c), old verb to pick out, to choose, the middle for
oneself. It expands the idea in kl(8873)in (verse  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 kataischun(8869), first aorist active subjunctive with
hina of old verb kataischun(935c), perfective use of kata). The
purpose in the third example is {that he might bring to naught}
(hina katarg(8873)(8869), make idle, argos, rare in old Greek, but
frequent in Paul). The contrast is complete in each paradox: {the
foolish things} (	a m(9372)a), {the wild men} (	ous sophous);
{the weak things} (	a asthen(885c)), {the strong things} (	a
ischura); {the things that are not} (	a m(8820)onta), {and that
are despised} (	a exouthen(886d)ena, considered nothing, perfect
passive participle of exouthene(935c)), {the things that are} (	a
onta). It is a studied piece of rhetoric and powerfully put.