For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
- KJV For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- BSB For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- NASB For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- NLT For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul calls himself the least of the apostles because he had persecuted the church. It matters because it shows the depth of grace given to him.
Overview
Mindful of his past as a persecutor of God's assembly, Paul confesses his unworthiness of the apostolic office. This humility magnifies the mercy of Christ rather than diminishing his calling. His example assures sinners that no past is beyond the reach of the grace that meets us in the risen Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Eph 3:7–8of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
- 1 Tim 1:13–15although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- 2 Cor 12:11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
- Acts 8:3But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.
- Acts 26:9–11“I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Gal 1:23but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
- Acts 9:1–19But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- 2 Cor 11:5For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
- Acts 22:4–5I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
- Phil 3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
- Gal 1:13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 15:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.