1 Corinthians 15:8 – “And last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul concludes his list of people who saw the resurrected Jesus by mentioning himself. He describes himself as the last to see Christ, highlighting the uniqueness of his encounter with the risen Lord. Unlike the others who saw Jesus before His ascension, Paul saw Him later—while he was still an unbeliever and a persecutor of Christians.

Paul uses the phrase “as to one abnormally born” to describe himself. The Greek word used here (ἔκτρωμα, ektrōma) can mean “premature birth” or even “miscarriage.” Paul is expressing deep humility, recognizing that he was not among the original disciples and did not follow Jesus during His earthly ministry. Instead, his conversion was sudden and unexpected—like someone born at the wrong time.

Despite this, Jesus still appeared to Paul and called him to be an apostle. This shows that God’s grace is not limited by a person’s past. Paul went from being a persecutor of Christians to one of the most important figures in church history, all because of the transforming power of Jesus.

Historical Context

Paul’s encounter with Jesus happened in a completely different way than the others listed in 1 Corinthians 15. The apostles and early believers saw Jesus in bodily form after His resurrection, but Paul saw Him in a vision on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6).

Before this, Paul (then called Saul) was a fierce opponent of Christianity. He believed he was doing God’s will by hunting down and arresting Christians. But Jesus personally confronted him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). This dramatic encounter changed Paul’s life forever, turning him from a persecutor into a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s use of the phrase “abnormally born” may also reflect his awareness that he became an apostle in an unusual way. Unlike the other apostles, who walked with Jesus and learned from Him in person, Paul received his calling directly from Christ in a miraculous encounter.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key truths:

1. Jesus’ resurrection appearances were real – Paul includes himself as an eyewitness, confirming that Christ was truly alive.
2. God’s grace is greater than our past – Paul was an enemy of Jesus, yet Jesus appeared to him and saved him.
3. God’s calling is not based on human qualifications – Paul did not “earn” his apostleship, but God chose him anyway.
4. Salvation is a work of God, not man – Paul was not seeking Jesus, but Jesus sought him out and transformed him.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s phrase “last of all” is significant. He is making it clear that Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were not an ongoing occurrence—his was the final one. This reinforces that Jesus’ appearances had a specific purpose: to confirm the resurrection and commission His messengers.

The phrase “as to one abnormally born” carries a deep sense of humility. Paul is not boasting about seeing Jesus. Instead, he acknowledges that he did not deserve this encounter. His words reflect amazement at God’s grace—he was the least likely person to be chosen, yet God chose him anyway.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 9:3-6 – Paul’s dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus.
• Acts 22:6-10 – Paul recounts his conversion experience before a crowd in Jerusalem.
• Acts 26:12-18 – Paul tells King Agrippa how Jesus appeared to him and called him to preach.
• Galatians 1:15-16 – Paul describes how God called him by grace.
• 1 Timothy 1:13-16 – Paul acknowledges his past as a persecutor but rejoices in God’s mercy.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Paul’s testimony is a reminder that no one is beyond God’s grace. If God could take a man who was actively opposing the gospel and turn him into its greatest messenger, He can transform anyone. No sin is too great for God to forgive, and no past is too broken for Him to redeem.

This verse also challenges us to remember that salvation is God’s work, not ours. Paul was not seeking Jesus—Jesus came after him. The same is true for all believers. We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Finally, this verse should encourage us to share the gospel with confidence. If God could use Paul, He can use us too. No one is too far gone for God to reach.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is powerfully displayed in Paul’s story. Instead of punishing Paul for persecuting Christians, Jesus met him with mercy and gave him a new purpose. This shows that God does not give up on people—even those who seem most opposed to Him.

God’s love is also patient. Paul’s conversion came later than the other apostles, but God still had a plan for him. This is a reminder that God’s timing is perfect, and He calls people when the time is right.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse confirms the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Paul saw the risen Christ, and his life was completely changed because of it. His testimony adds to the overwhelming evidence that Jesus truly conquered death.

Other key connections to Jesus:

• Jesus seeks out the lost – Just as He appeared to Paul, Jesus still calls people to Himself today.
• Jesus has power to transform lives – Paul went from persecutor to preacher because of Christ’s power.
• Jesus is alive and reigning – Paul’s encounter happened after Jesus had ascended to heaven, proving that Christ continues to work in the world.

Other related verses:

• Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
• John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
• Philippians 3:7-9 – Paul describes how knowing Christ became more important than anything else.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Paul refers to himself as “abnormally born”?
2. How does Paul’s encounter with Jesus show that salvation is entirely by grace?
3. What does Paul’s story teach us about God’s ability to transform lives?
4. Are there people in your life who seem “too far gone” for God to reach? How does Paul’s story encourage you to pray for them?
5. How can Paul’s humility in this verse inspire us to remain humble in our own faith?