Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:8

What does 1 Corinthians 15:8 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:8 means

Paul places himself last in the sequence of witnesses, describing his encounter as like a child born out of season—unexpected, abrupt, and by sheer divine initiative. The risen Christ appeared to him also, turning a persecutor into an apostle. This admission is both humble and authoritative: Paul did not come to faith through secondhand reports but by a personal meeting with the living Jesus. His late arrival does not diminish his apostleship; it magnifies grace. The same Lord who appeared to Peter and the others also appointed Paul, ensuring that his message about Christ’s resurrection stands on equal footing with theirs.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And last of all, as by one whose birth was out of the right time, he was seen by me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And last of all--as to the untimely birth--he appeared also to me,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And last of all, he was seen also by me, as by one born out of due tine.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to me also.

Context

This final appearance completes the eyewitness chain (vv. 5–8), preparing Paul to reflect on his unworthiness (vv. 9–10) and then assert the consistency of apostolic preaching (v. 11). By anchoring his apostleship in a resurrection appearance, Paul establishes credibility for the doctrinal correction he is about to deliver. The flow will soon pivot to the consequences of denying resurrection (vv. 12–19), but only after clarifying that Paul’s gospel is the same as that proclaimed by the other apostles.

v.7then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

v.8This passage

v.9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 9:3

    And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:

  • Acts 22:18

    and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.

  • Acts 9:17

    And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:1

    Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

  • Acts 18:9

    And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:

  • Acts 26:16

    But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;

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