King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:8 Mean?

1 Corinthians 15:8 in the King James Version says “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. one: or, an abortive” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. one: or, an abortive”

1 Corinthians 15:8 · KJV

Context

6

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. one: or, an abortive

9

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Paul use such violent imagery ('miscarriage') to describe his conversion—what does this reveal about grace?
  2. How does Paul's hostile stance before Damascus make his testimony more, not less, credible?
  3. What qualifies Paul's Damascus vision as a resurrection appearance rather than subjective mystical experience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
ἔσχατον1 of 8

“last”

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

δὲ2 of 8

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πάντων3 of 8

“of all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὡσπερεὶ4 of 8

“as”

G5619

just as if, i.e., as it were

τῷ5 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκτρώματι6 of 8

“of one born out of due time”

G1626

a miscarriage (abortion), i.e., (by analogy) untimely birth

ὤφθη7 of 8

“he was seen”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

κἀμοί8 of 8

“of me also”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 15:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 15:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 9:1Acts 26:16Acts 22:18Acts 18:9Acts 9:17Acts 9:3-6

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