1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Corinthians 15:9
**VERSE REFERENCE**
1 Corinthians 15:9: "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
Paul humbly acknowledges his past as a persecutor of Christians prior to his conversion. This confession serves multiple functions. It demonstrates the radical transformation that accompanies the encounter with the risen Christ. It also serves as a corrective against elitism within the church: even someone who once uprooted communities can become a minister of the gospel. In the Corinthian church, where skepticism and rivalries may have caused people to question Paul’s authority, this honesty underscores that apostleship is not earned by social status or moral perfection but by grace and calling. The broader narrative is that God uses ordinary, flawed people to accomplish extraordinary purposes, turning weakness into strength.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
Paul’s humility reinforces central themes: grace, calling, and forgiveness. The verse reveals that leadership in the church is rooted in God’s mercy, not in human merit. It also testifies to the universality of the gospel: if God can redeem a persecutor, he can redeem any sinner. This has practical implications for how communities view outsiders and former opponents of the faith.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
- Embrace your own testimony of transformation, even (especially) if you feel unworthy. God’s grace meets us where we are.
- For church communities: cultivate a culture of grace that welcomes former skeptics and transforms them into witnesses.
- Practical example: mentor someone new to the faith who comes with a messy past; model forgiveness and partnership in mission.
**Cross-References**: Acts 9:1-22; 1 Timothy 1:12-16; Galatians 1:13-16; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Ephesians 3:8