Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Original Language Analysis
εὐδόκησεν
it pleased
G2106
εὐδόκησεν
it pleased
Strong's:
G2106
Word #:
3 of 18
to think well of, i.e., approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀφορίσας
separated
G873
ἀφορίσας
separated
Strong's:
G873
Word #:
7 of 18
to set off by boundary, i.e., (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
9 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
κοιλίας
womb
G2836
κοιλίας
womb
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
10 of 18
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
μητρός
mother's
G3384
μητρός
mother's
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
11 of 18
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καλέσας
called
G2564
καλέσας
called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
14 of 18
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
διὰ
me by
G1223
διὰ
me by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 18
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.Isaiah 49:5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.Isaiah 49:1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.2 Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Romans 1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:1 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 8:30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Historical Context
Paul's prenatal consecration parallels Old Testament prophets called before birth (Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist). This wasn't unique experience but shared pattern showing God's sovereignty in choosing servants. The Damascus road revelation (Acts 9) was temporal manifestation of eternal decree. Ancient Near Eastern kings often claimed divine election from birth; Paul applies this to demonstrate his apostolic authority equals the Twelve's. First-century Judaism debated free will versus predestination (Qumran scrolls, rabbinic literature). Paul firmly grounds salvation in God's sovereign election, not human decision, works, or merit—the same principle he applies to justification.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does knowing God chose you before birth (not because of anything you would do) transform both assurance and humility?
- What does Paul's prenatal consecration teach about God's purposes for your life before you knew or chose Him?
- Can you hold both God's sovereign election and urgent evangelism without compromising either truth?
Analysis & Commentary
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, Paul shifts from his activity to God's sovereignty. "But when it pleased God" (hote de eudokēsen ho theos, ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς) emphasizes divine initiative and good pleasure—God's timing and purpose, not Paul's decision. Eudokeō (εὐδοκέω) expresses sovereign delight in executing His plan.
"Who separated me from my mother's womb" (ho aphorisas me ek koilias mētros mou) echoes prophetic calls—Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah 1:5. Aphorizō (ἀφορίζω) means "set apart, consecrate." Paul's apostleship began not at conversion but before birth through divine predestination. This radically contradicts merit-based thinking—Paul was chosen before he could do anything good or bad (Romans 9:11).
"And called me by his grace" (kai kalesas dia tēs charitos autou) describes effectual calling. Kaleō (καλέω) in Paul means God's irresistible summons bringing salvation. "By his grace" (dia tēs charitos) specifies the means—unmerited favor, not earned selection. Paul's salvation and apostleship both flow from sovereign grace, establishing the theological foundation for justification by faith alone.