Galatians 1 15

Galatians 1:15 kjv

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Galatians 1:15 nkjv

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,

Galatians 1:15 niv

But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

Galatians 1:15 esv

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Galatians 1:15 nlt

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him

Galatians 1 verses

Galatians 1 15 Meaning

Galatians 1:15 proclaims the divine origin of Paul's apostleship and the gospel he preaches, asserting it came directly from God through His sovereign grace. It highlights that God had a specific purpose for Paul from before his birth, separating him for a distinct ministry, and subsequently called him into that role not by any human merit or decision, but purely by unmerited favor. This established the foundational truth that his commission and message were independent of human institutions or traditions, emphasizing God's singular initiative.

Galatians 1 15 Context

Galatians chapter 1 opens with Paul asserting the direct, divine origin of his apostleship (Gal 1:1), directly refuting any claims that he was an apostle through human delegation or training. He quickly pronounces a curse on anyone, including himself or an angel, who preaches a gospel different from the one he received (Gal 1:6-9), underscoring its singularity and non-human origin. Galatians 1:15 is a crucial part of Paul's personal testimony and apologetic. He is countering the Judaizers, who were challenging his authority and gospel, likely by suggesting his message was second-hand, influenced by human traditions, or less authoritative than that of the Jerusalem apostles. By stating that God had "set him apart even from his mother's womb" and "called him through His grace," Paul emphasizes that his commission came directly from God, predating any human involvement or pre-apostolic Jewish training (which would include his Pharisaic past), thereby bolstering his apostolic authority and the unadulterated nature of his gospel.

Galatians 1 15 Word analysis

• But when God: The Greek particle "δέ" (de), translated as "but" or "now," indicates a transition or contrast. Paul shifts from describing what did not influence him (human factors) to what did—God's direct, sovereign action. This highlights God's sole initiative in Paul's call.
• who had set me apart: The Greek word is "ἀφορίσας" (aphorisas), an aorist active participle of aphorizō, meaning "to mark off by boundaries, separate, set apart, appoint." This signifies a definitive, completed action by God in the past. It speaks of divine consecration for a specific sacred purpose, emphasizing distinction and dedication. This pre-designation elevates Paul’s status as a chosen vessel.
• even from my mother’s womb: The phrase "ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου" (ek koilias metros mou) highlights the extreme antiquity of God's purpose for Paul, predating his personal consciousness or any action on his part. This echoes Old Testament prophetic callings, such as Jeremiah (Jer 1:5) and Isaiah (Isa 49:1), reinforcing Paul's sense of divine destiny and pre-ordained ministry. It establishes the unchangeable, sovereign nature of God's plan for him, not contingent on Paul’s merit.
• and called me: The Greek "καλέσαντος με" (kalesantos me), an aorist active participle of kaleō, denotes an effective and specific divine invitation to a task or status. This call is distinct from being "set apart" in the womb, representing the moment God brought the pre-ordained purpose into manifestation for Paul, specifically his conversion and commissioning on the road to Damascus.
• through His grace: The Greek phrase "διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ" (dia tēs charitos autou) is pivotal. "Grace" (χάρις - charis) signifies unmerited favor, a gift bestowed without human desert or prerequisite. This phrase underscores that Paul's call was entirely God's benevolent act, utterly devoid of any personal merit, past performance (especially as a persecutor), or human earning. It is foundational to the gospel Paul preaches – salvation and service are by grace alone. This stands in stark contrast to the Judaizers' emphasis on works or lineage.
• was pleased: The Greek verb "εὐδόκησεν" (eudokēsen) is an aorist active indicative of eudokeō, meaning "to be well-pleased, to think it good, to decide, to take delight in." This signifies God's sovereign and delightful choice. His pleasure is the ultimate reason and motive for His actions towards Paul, and subsequently, the revelation of His Son to and through him (Gal 1:16). It expresses God’s sovereign good will and purposeful intention.

• "But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace": This phrase-group profoundly declares that Paul's apostleship was a divinely orchestrated plan from conception, utterly independent of human approval, training, or merit. It functions as the ultimate defense against claims that his gospel or authority were humanly derived or secondary. Paul positions himself in a line of prophets uniquely called by God before birth for a specific purpose, lending undeniable weight to his claim of apostolic authority directly from God, authenticated by grace alone.

Galatians 1 15 Bonus section

Paul's assertion in Gal 1:15 reflects a unique convergence of Old Testament prophetic understanding with New Testament revelation. By comparing his call to that of Jeremiah and Isaiah, Paul underscores the extraordinary nature of his divine commission, emphasizing continuity with God's redemptive history while simultaneously establishing a direct, non-intermediary relationship with the divine will regarding his specific ministry to the Gentiles. This profound pre-natal divine intention and post-natal gracious calling elevate his gospel's message from being a human invention or interpretation to a direct divine unveiling. The divine "pleasure" (eudokēsen) not only speaks to God's sovereign will but also His deep satisfaction in bringing about His plans, making it clear that Paul was exactly where God wanted him, doing exactly what God desired, independent of external validations.

Galatians 1 15 Commentary

Galatians 1:15 is a forceful theological statement and a foundational aspect of Paul's defense of his divine apostleship. Paul argues that his entire spiritual trajectory, from his identity to his commission, originated solely in God’s sovereign plan and unmerited favor, not in human effort, tradition, or accreditation. The phrase "set me apart even from my mother's womb" asserts a pre-natal divine election for a specific task, echoing Old Testament prophetic callings and establishing his commission as directly from heaven. The subsequent "called me through His grace" highlights that this momentous intervention by God was entirely undeserved. This double emphasis on God’s eternal plan and gratuitous choice dismantles any claim that Paul’s gospel or authority were subject to human approval or Jewish legalism, providing irrefutable proof of his independent and authoritative divine mandate to preach the unadulterated gospel of grace. It means that God does not just save; He also ordains for specific purposes based purely on His will.