Galatians 1:15
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But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
separated--"set me apart": in the purposes of His electing love (compare Act 9:15; Act 22:14), in order to show in me His "pleasure," which is the farthest point that any can reach in inquiring the causes of his salvation. The actual "separating" or "setting apart" to the work marked out for him, is mentioned in Act 13:2; Rom 1:1. There is an allusion, perhaps, in the way of contrast, to the derivation of Pharisee from Hebrew, "pharash," "separated." I was once a so-called Pharisee or Separatist, but God had separated me to something far better. from . . . womb--Thus merit in me was out of the question, in assigning causes for His call from Act 9:11. Grace is the sole cause (Psa 22:9; Psa 71:6; Isa 49:1, Isa 49:5; Jer 1:5; Luk 1:15). called me--on the way to Damascus (Act 9:3-8).
Open source ↗In this chapter, after the preface or introduction (Gal 1:1-5), the apostle severely reproves these churches for their defection from the faith (Gal 1:6-9), and then proves his own apostleship, which his enemies had brought them to question, I. From his end and design in preaching the gospel (Gal 1:10). II. From his having received it by immediate revelation (Gal 1:11, Gal 1:12). For the proof of which he acquaints them, 1. What his former conversation was (Gal 1:13, Gal 1:14). 2. How he was converted, and called to the apostleship (Gal 1:15, Gal 1:16). 3. How he behaved himself afterwards (Gal 1:16 to the end).
Open source ↗1:15-16 even before I was born: Cp. Jer 1:5; see also Ps 139:13-16; Isa 49:1-6; Rom 9:10-13. • God chose me and called me: For the account of Paul’s conversion, see Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-21; 26:9-23. • Paul’s calling was specifically to proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles (Gal 2:7), and he even educated other apostles in what that means (e.g., 2:11-21). • to reveal his Son to me (or in me): This might refer to Paul’s encounter with Christ (Acts 9:1-19; cp. 1 Cor 9:1; 15:8); in me might also suggest an internal revelation (cp. Gal 2:20; 4:6-7) and implies that Paul’s changed heart revealed Christ to others.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.