What does 1 Corinthians 15:8 mean?
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:8
Explanation
1 Corinthians 15:8 is a verse from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. In this verse, Paul is recounting the appearances of the resurrected Christ, listing the different individuals and groups to whom Jesus presented Himself after His resurrection, confirming the fundamental Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead. When Paul says, “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time,” he speaks of his own encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which is dramatically recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:1-6). The phrase “as of one born out of due time” metaphorically signals Paul’s sense of his own untimely or abnormal apostolic call, seeing himself as an “untimely” apostle who was not part of Jesus’s original ministry but came to the faith after Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Historical Context
The First Letter to the Corinthians, usually dated between 53-54 AD, addresses various issues and controversies within the early Church of Corinth. Corinth was a significant and cosmopolitan city in ancient Greece, and the church there comprised both Jewish and Gentile converts. In this epistle, Paul is establishing the core truths of Christian faith, responding to reports of disputes and correcting deviations from the message he had previously shared with the Corinthians.
Theological Insights
Paul’s transformation after witnessing Jesus on the road to Damascus is vital to his theological argument. He speaks to the credibility that each witness brings to the claim of Jesus’s resurrection. From a theological perspective, this verse underscores the universality of Christ’s message, suggesting that Jesus’s appearance to someone like Paul—a former persecutor of Christians—demonstrates God’s grace and the possibility of redemption for all.
From a different viewpoint, some may interpret “as of one born out of due time” to mean that Paul felt unworthy or inadequate as an apostle due to the manner of his conversion. However, this humility does not diminish the authority of his testimony but rather enhances the mercy and transformative power of Jesus’s reach.
Practical Applications
This verse may inspire believers to reflect on their personal experiences with faith, recognizing that transformation and redemption are possible regardless of one’s past. It could also encourage humility and gratitude for the gifts received through grace.
Cross-References
- Acts 9:3-6 – “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven…”
- Acts 22:14-15 – “And 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.”
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16 – “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
Language Study
The phrase “born out of due time” translates from the Greek word “ἔκτρωμα” (ektroma), which can mean an aborted fetus or an untimely birth. Its usage by Paul conveys a sense of an unexpected or abnormal occurrence—something out of the ordinary, mirroring Paul’s own experience of conversion that was starkly different from the other apostles. The encounter was transformative and struck him when he least expected it.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In ancient cultures, the concept of being called or chosen by the gods was not uncommon. However, what sets Paul’s experience apart in the Christian context is the personal and radical nature of his transformation. Unlike heroes in myths who might be born with a divine purpose revealed over time, Paul’s calling came later in his life, disrupting his former beliefs and setting him on a new path entirely.
Scientific Perspectives
While a scientific analysis does not typically address miraculous events like supernatural visions described by religious texts, modern psychology could offer insights into profound personal experiences. Such experiences can have significant transformative effects on an individual’s beliefs and behaviors. These transformations may be regarded by psychologists as powerful, subjective, life-altering experiences regardless of their divine or supernatural implications.
commentaries
Various Bible commentaries offer different interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:8. Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes Paul’s deep sense of unworthiness and gratitude for having been made an apostle later in life, given his past as a persecutor of Christians. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that Paul’s unusual encounter with the risen Christ granted him the status of an apostle even though he did not accompany Jesus during His earthly ministry. Additionally, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that Paul used the term “one born out of due time” as a humbling admission that he did not deserve the grace bestowed upon him, highlighting God’s merciful nature.
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