1 Corinthians 15:9

1 Corinthians 15:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
• New International Version (NIV)For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Context of 1 Corinthians 15:9

7Then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; 8and last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called apostle, because I have persecuted the assembly of God. 10But by God's grace I am what I am; and his grace, which [was] towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not I, but the grace of God which [was] with me. 11Whether, therefore, I or they, thus we preach, and thus ye have believed.

1 Corinthians 15:9 word by word

ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος, διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ·Read the interlinear

• amεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• leastἐλάχιστοςelachistos · leastG1646
• apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• fitἱκανόςhikanos · sufficientG2425
• calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• persecutedδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• assemblyἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 15:9

• 2 Corinthians 11:5For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
• Ephesians 3:7of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me, according to the working of his power.
• Acts 8:3But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into the houses one after another, and dragging off both men and women delivered them up to prison.
• Acts 9:1But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest
• Acts 22:4who have persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women;
• Acts 26:9I indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean.
• Galatians 1:13For ye have heard [what was] my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I excessively persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it;
• Philippians 3:6as to zeal, persecuting the assembly; as to righteousness which [is] in [the] law, found blameless;
• 1 Timothy 1:13who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing [man]: but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 15:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9I am the least of the apostles - This was literally true in reference to his being chosen last, and chosen not in the number of the twelve, but as an extra apostle. How much pains do some men take to make the apostle contradict himself, by attempting to show that he was the very greatest of the apostles, though he calls himself the least! Taken as a man and a minister of Christ, he was greater than any of the twelve; taken as an apostle he was less than…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9For - A reason for the appellation which he had given to himself in 1 Corinthians 15:8. I am the least of the apostles - Not on account of any defect in his commission, or any lack of qualification to bear witness in what he saw, but on account of the great crime of his life, the fact that he had been a persecutor. Paul could never forget that; as a man who has been profane and a scoffer, when he becomes converted, can never forget the deep guilt of his…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9as to one of untimely birth: This phrase can refer to a miscarriage or stillbirth. Here it might describe the unusual way Paul converted, the negative view some opponents had of his role as an apostle, or his own feelings of unworthiness to be an apostle. The main focus is on God's extraordinary grace to Paul, who once persecuted Christ’s followers (see Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; compare Acts 8:3; 9:1–2). He appeared to me also: Paul met the risen…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. least--The name, "Paulus," in Latin, means "least." I persecuted the church--Though God has forgiven him, Paul can hardly forgive himself at the remembrance of his past sin.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 15:9

• Church
• Humility
• Paul
• Repentance
• Sin
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• Awake
• Church
• Corrupt
• Corruptible
• Die
• Differ
• Flesh
• Immortality
• Incorruption

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings