Galatians 1:15
What does Galatians 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:15 means
Paul locates the turning point not in himself but in God’s pleasure. God had “separated” him from his mother’s womb and “called” him through grace. This stresses God’s initiative, timing, and undeserved favor. Paul’s life, including his hostility, was overruled by a prior divine purpose now unveiled. The language echoes prophetic callings, indicating that his apostleship is part of God’s long-prepared plan. Grace, not merit, explains everything. This reinforces the letter’s theme: if Paul’s own salvation and mission rest on sheer grace, the Gospel he preaches must be grace-based, not law-based, and any contrary teaching misreads God’s saving plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,
KJV
King James Version · 1611But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But when it was the good pleasure of God, by whom I was marked out even from my mother's body, through his grace,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when God was well pleased--having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called <FI>me<Fi> through His grace--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But when it pleased him who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But whenGod, who set me apart [even] from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,
Context
After detailing his zeal in Judaism, Paul now credits God for his conversion and calling. This shift from human achievement to divine initiative sets up the purpose of that call in verse 16—God revealed his Son so Paul would preach among the Gentiles. The flow emphasizes that Paul’s ministry is no human career change but a divine appointment. Next, he will stress that he did not seek human authorization, underscoring the independence and divine origin of both his message and mission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 22:14
And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- 2 Timothy 1:9
who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
- 1 Corinthians 1:24
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- Ephesians 1:9
making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
- Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, calledto bean apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
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