1 Corinthians 15:8
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκτρώματι
of one born out of due time
G1626
ἐκτρώματι
of one born out of due time
Strong's:
G1626
Word #:
6 of 8
a miscarriage (abortion), i.e., (by analogy) untimely birth
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?Acts 18:9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:Acts 22:18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.Acts 26:16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.Acts 22:14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Historical Context
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians circa AD 55, about 25 years after Christ's resurrection and 20 years after his Damascus Road conversion (AD 33-35). His inclusion of himself among resurrection witnesses, despite being Christianity's chief persecutor, adds credibility—a hostile witness converted by what he saw.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul use such violent imagery ('miscarriage') to describe his conversion—what does this reveal about grace?
- How does Paul's hostile stance before Damascus make his testimony more, not less, credible?
- What qualifies Paul's Damascus vision as a resurrection appearance rather than subjective mystical experience?
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Analysis & Commentary
And last of all he was seen of me also (ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώματι ὤφθη κἀμοί)—Paul includes himself in the resurrection witness list, though last and least. The word ektróma (ἔκτρωμα) means "untimely birth, miscarriage, abortion"—shockingly harsh self-description. Paul sees his Damascus Road encounter (Acts 9) as abnormal, violent spiritual birth, unlike the other apostles' discipleship process.
As of one born out of due time emphasizes Paul's apostleship came through extraordinary divine intervention, not normal chronological sequence. Yet he insists his vision of the risen Christ was as objective and physical as the others'—not mere mystical experience but resurrection appearance qualifying him as apostle (1 Corinthians 9:1, Acts 1:22).