The number one is used in the scriptures to denote unity and commencement. The first occurrence of "but God" in I Corinthians shows precisely that. The word "but" here is alla and is very emphatic. There is quite a contrast in man's worthiness and God's election. It's not our background or our pedigree or our sense-knowledge ability that really matters. God's choice makes the difference. He doesn't call the qualified. Rather He qualifies the called.

1 Corinthians 1:21,25-31:
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
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;
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:
²⁹ That no flesh should glory in his presence.
³⁰ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
³¹ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

  Not many wise men, by human standards, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God has chosen the paltry and the unimportant. Psalm 115:3 says, "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." Ephesians 1:11 says that God "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." God knows what He is doing. It may seem foolish to man, but God's ways are higher than man's ways and His thoughts are higher than man's thoughts.

  There is an account in I Samuel 16 where God chose David to be king over His people. According to the five senses, David was not the most likely choice, but the Lord does not see as man sees. David was the youngest of Jesse's sons, scarcely considered wise in the world's eyes.

1 Samuel 16:6-13a:
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
⁷ But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
⁹ Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
¹⁰ Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
¹¹ And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
¹² And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
^13a Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midstof his brethren: and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward….

  David was the youngest and seemingly the least likely of Jesse's sons to be chosen, but God chose him to reign over His people.

  Gideon was another man whom God chose to be a judge and a ruler over His people. He was without might by worldly standards, but God's presence with him made him mighty.

Judges 6:12-16:
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
¹³ And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
¹⁴ And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
¹⁵ And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
¹⁶ And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

  In God's eyes Gideon was a "mighty man of valour" told to go "in this thy might." However, Gideon questioned that God had chosen him "to save Israel from the hand of the Midianites," because his family was poor and he was least in his father's house. Gideon was not mighty according to human standards, but God chose him to judge His people.

  Amos, a prophet of the Lord God, was also chosen from a background that was far from noble.

Amos 7:14,15:
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
¹⁵ And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

  Amos was a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit. He was a herdsman of the swine. In the Eastern culture, the keeper of the swine was the lowest and most base position one could have. He was counted with the pigs, and was looked down upon by the people. However, God chose him as he followed the flock to prophesy unto His people Israel.

  Ananias, when called of God to minister to Saul of Tarsus, wondered at his commissioning knowing the background of Paul. Paul was despised for his harsh treatment of the believers, but God still called him.

Acts 9:10-13:
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
¹² And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
¹³ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

  Verses thirteen and fourteen show how truly concerned Ananias was and how he wanted to understand the Word of the Lord. God's reply? "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me…" Paul was a murderer of God's own people, but God chose him to bear His name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel.

  Who would have thought that God would have chosen these men? They certainly weren't wise, mighty or noble by human standards but God chose them. The truth of Romans so beautifully rings out in light of this.

Romans 11:33-36:
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
³⁴ For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
³⁵ Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
³⁶ For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

  David was keeping sheep. Gideon was threshing wheat. Amos was following swine. Saul was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against God's people. BUT GOD chose them, and their lives were not the same. David was king; Gideon was judge of God's people. Amos was a prophet of the Lord. Saul was an apostle and teacher to whom God revealed the great mystery.

  Likewise, the Church of God at Corinth as well as those believers today who are sanctified in Christ Jesus called saints hath God chosen. It's true that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called. Yet the purpose of God according to election stands.

  God chose individuals in the first century regardless of their background. These individuals were not chosen of Paul or Apollos or Cephas but of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30,31:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
³¹ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

  Christ is not divided (verse 13). There is one body. God is the prime mover. God through His grace acted. He called. He chose. He intervened in the lives of the foolish, weak, base, and despised and created His masterpiece. The believer is a new creation. He has a new start, and he glories in what God has done for him.