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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, was pleased</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/1-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/48_Gal_01_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 1:15 - Paul Preaches the Gospel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, was pleased" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/1-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/1-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/1-14.htm" title="Galatians 1:14">◄</a> Galatians 1:15 <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm" title="Galatians 1:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/1.htm">New International Version</a> But when God, who set me apart from my mother&#8217s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased <a href="/nlt/galatians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him <a href="/esv/galatians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, <a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But when God, the One having selected me from my mother's womb and having called me by His grace, was pleased <a href="/kjv/galatians/1.htm">King James Bible</a> But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, <a href="/nkjv/galatians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, <a href="/nasb_/galatians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased <a href="/nasb/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother&#8217s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased <a href="/nasb77/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased <a href="/lsb/galatians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But when God, who had set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased <a href="/amp/galatians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when God, who had chosen me and set me apart before I was born, and called me through His grace, was pleased <a href="/csb/galatians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased <a href="/hcsb/galatians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But when God, who from my birth set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased <a href="/asv/galatians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, <a href="/cev/galatians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But even before I was born, God had chosen me by his gift of undeserved grace and had decided <a href="/erv/galatians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, <a href="/gwt/galatians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But God, who appointed me before I was born and who called me by his kindness, was pleased <a href="/gnt/galatians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> But God in his grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. And when he decided <a href="/isv/galatians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> But when God, who set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace, was pleased <a href="/msb/galatians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when God, who set me apart from my mother?s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased <a href="/net/galatians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased <a href="/nheb/galatians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But when God, who had set me apart from my mother's womb and called me through his grace, was pleased <a href="/wbt/galatians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But when He who set me apart even from my birth, and called me by His grace, <a href="/web/galatians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and when God was well pleased—having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called [me] through His grace— <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But when God, the One having selected me from my mother's womb and having called me by His grace, was pleased <a href="/ylt/galatians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and when God was well pleased -- having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called me through His grace -- <a href="/slt/galatians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when God was contented, having separated me from my mother's womb, and having called me, by his grace,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But when it pleased him, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, <a href="/cpdv/galatians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But, when it pleased him who, from my mother’s womb, had set me apart, and who has called me by his grace, <a href="/nabre/galatians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> But when [God], who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But when it pleased God, who had chosen me from my birth, and called me by his grace, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But when he who separated me from my mother's womb chose and called me by his grace <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But when God, who chose me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, was pleased <a href="/godbey/galatians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> When the one having separated me, from the womb of my mother, and called me through his grace, was pleased <a href="/haweis/galatians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But when it pleased God, who selected me from my mother?s womb, and called me by his grace, <a href="/mace/galatians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me, <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But when He who set me apart even from my birth, and called me by His grace, <a href="/worrell/galatians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But, when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, <a href="/worsley/galatians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But when it pleased God, (who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,) <a href="/parallel/galatians/1-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=124" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Paul Preaches the Gospel</a> …14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3753.htm" title="3753: Hote (Adv) -- When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.">when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/873.htm" title="873: aphorisas (V-APA-NMS) -- To rail off, separate, place apart. From apo and horizo; to set off by boundary, i.e. limit, exclude, appoint, etc.">set me apart</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3384.htm" title="3384: mētros (N-GFS) -- A mother. Apparently a primary word; a mother.">mother’s</a> <a href="/greek/2836.htm" title="2836: koilias (N-GFS) -- From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart.">womb</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: kalesas (V-APA-NMS) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">called me</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">by</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5485.htm" title="5485: charitos (N-GFS) -- From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.">grace,</a> <a href="/greek/2106.htm" title="2106: eudokēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be well-pleased, think it good, be resolved. From eu and dokeo; to think well of, i.e. Approve; specially, to approbate.">was pleased</a> 16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a> “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.” <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Isaiah 49:1</a> 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. <a href="/romans/8-30.htm">Romans 8:30</a> And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. <a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a> “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. <a href="/ephesians/1-4.htm">Ephesians 1:4</a> For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love <a href="/2_timothy/1-9.htm">2 Timothy 1:9</a> 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. <a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a> 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.” <a href="/1_corinthians/1-1.htm">1 Corinthians 1:1</a> Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— <a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">1 Corinthians 15:10</a> But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. <a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/exodus/33-12.htm">Exodus 33:12</a> Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’ <a href="/isaiah/49-5.htm">Isaiah 49:5</a> 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— <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a> For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. / I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. / My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,it.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:7,8</a> The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: … <a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1 Samuel 12:22</a> For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.<a href="/1_chronicles/28-4.htm">1 Chronicles 28:4,5</a> Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: … who.<a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Isaiah 49:1,5</a> Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name… <a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a> Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.<a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15,16</a> For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb… and.<a href="/romans/1-5.htm">Romans 1:5</a> By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:<a href="/romans/8-30.htm">Romans 8:30</a> Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.<a href="/romans/9-24.htm">Romans 9:24</a> Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/12-3.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">Born</a> <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-19.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/acts/14-8.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/galatians/2-15.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Body</a> <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Born</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Good</a> <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-5.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 1</div>1. <a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Paul's greeting to the Galatians;</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">He wonders why they have so soon left him and the gospel;</a> 8. <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">and accurses those who preach any other gospel than he did.</a> 11. <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">He learned the gospel not from men, but from God;</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">and shows what he was before his calling;</a> 17. <a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">and what he did immediately after it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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It underscores the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events according to His will. The use of "But" indicates a contrast with Paul's previous life of persecuting the church, highlighting a pivotal moment of transformation initiated by God. This aligns with the biblical theme of God intervening in human history, as seen in the lives of figures like Moses (Exodus 3) and David (1 Samuel 16).who set me apart from my mother’s womb This phrase reflects the concept of divine election and purpose. The idea of being set apart from the womb is reminiscent of the callings of prophets like Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a>) and Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/49.htm">Isaiah 49:1</a>). It suggests that Paul's apostleship was part of God's plan from the very beginning, emphasizing predestination and God's foreknowledge. This also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God choosing individuals for specific purposes, as seen in the lives of Samson (<a href="/judges/13-5.htm">Judges 13:5</a>) and John the Baptist (<a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a>).and called me by His grace The calling by grace highlights the unmerited favor of God in Paul's life. It underscores the theme of grace that is central to Paul's theology, particularly in the context of salvation and calling. This grace is not based on human merit or works but is a gift from God, as elaborated in <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>. The transformative power of grace is evident in Paul's radical conversion and subsequent mission to the Gentiles, illustrating the depth of God's mercy and love.was pleased This phrase indicates God's pleasure and willingness in calling Paul. It reflects the divine delight in fulfilling His purposes through human agents. The concept of God being pleased is seen in other scriptural contexts, such as the pleasure of God in creation (<a href="/genesis/1-31.htm">Genesis 1:31</a>) and in the sacrifice of Christ (<a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10</a>). It underscores the idea that God's plans are carried out according to His good pleasure and perfect will, as also mentioned in <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Philippians 2:13</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, Paul is reflecting on his divine calling and mission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The divine being who calls and sets apart individuals for His purposes, emphasizing His sovereignty and grace. 3. <a href="/topical/p/paul's_conversion.htm">Paul's Conversion</a> An event where Paul, formerly known as Saul, was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty_and_purpose.htm">Divine Sovereignty and Purpose</a> God has a specific plan and purpose for each individual, which is established even before birth. This underscores the importance of seeking and aligning with God's will in our lives. <a href="/topical/g/grace_as_the_foundation_of_calling.htm">Grace as the Foundation of Calling</a> Our calling and salvation are rooted in God's grace, not our merit. This should lead to humility and gratitude in our walk with Christ. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_divine_calling.htm">Transformation through Divine Calling</a> Like Paul, our past does not define us. God's calling can transform our lives and redirect us towards His purposes, regardless of our previous actions. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Recognizing God's call requires a response of obedience. We are to actively pursue the mission and purpose God has set for us. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_trials.htm">Encouragement in Trials</a> Understanding that God has set us apart for His purposes can provide encouragement and strength during trials and challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 1</a> <a href="/q/what's_key_in_witnessing_to_cults.htm">What is crucial when witnessing to cult members?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_acts_contradict_paul's_letters.htm">Why does Acts contradict Paul’s letters in key details, such as his visits to Jerusalem?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_meritorious_works.htm">What defines meritorious works?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_paul_support_distant_churches.htm">2 Corinthians 11:29 – How could Paul meaningfully empathize with and support multiple distant churches given the limited communication and travel methods of his era?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) In pursuance of his main argument, the Apostle lays stress upon the fact that his very conversion and mission to the Gentiles had been first predestinated in the divine counsels, and afterwards carried out through divine interposition: it was throughout the work of God, and not of man.Pleased.--The word specially used of the free will and pleasure of God, determined absolutely by itself, and by no external cause.God.--The word should be printed in italics. It is wanting in the true text, but is left to be supplied by the reader.Separated me.--Set me apart, marked me off from the rest of mankind, for this special object (i.e., the Apostleship of the Gentiles). (Comp. <a href="/romans/1-1.htm" title="Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,">Romans 1:1</a>, and Note there.)From my mother's womb.--A comparison of other passages where this phrase is used seems to make it clear that the sense is rather "from the moment of my birth" than "from before my birth." (See <a href="/psalms/22-10.htm" title="I was cast on you from the womb: you are my God from my mother's belly.">Psalm 22:10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm" title="Listen, O isles, to me; and listen, you people, from far; The LORD has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name.">Isaiah 49:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-5.htm" title="And now, said the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.">Isaiah 49:5</a>; <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm" title="For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.">Matthew 19:12</a>; <a href="/acts/3-2.htm" title="And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;">Acts 3:2</a>; <a href="/acts/14-8.htm" title="And there sat a certain man at Lystra, weak in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:">Acts 14:8</a>.) From the moment that he became a living and conscious human being he was marked out in the purpose of God for his future mission. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - But when it pleased God (ὅτε δὲ αὐδόκησεν ὁ Θεός); and when it was the good pleasure of God. The Authorized Version and the Revised Version have "but when." To determine the exact force here of the conjunction δέ, we must consider how the sentence it introduces stands related to what precedes. The main underlying thought of vers. 13, 14 was that the habit of the apostle's mind before his conversion was such as wholly to preclude the notion of his having known the gospel up to that hour. The main thought pervading vers. 15-17, and indeed pursued to the end of the chapter, is that, after he had received from God himself the knowledge of the gospel, he had had no occasion to have recourse to any mortal man, apostle or other, for the purpose of further instruction therein. It follows that the conjunction connecting the two sentences is not adversative, as it would, of course, be taken if God's dealings with him, described in vers. 15, 16, were the main point of this new paragraph, but is simply the sign of the writer's passing on to another thought - not one contrasted with the preceding, but merely additional. As examples of the use of δὲ as continuative and not adversative, comp. <a href="/luke/12-11.htm">Luke 12:11, 16</a>; <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Luke 13:6, 10</a>; <a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Luke 15:11</a>; <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Acts 9:8, 10</a>; <a href="/acts/12-10.htm">Acts 12:10, 13</a>; <a href="/romans/2-3.htm">Romans 2:3</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/16-15.htm">1 Corinthians 16:15, 17</a>. It may be represented in English by "and" or "and again." In the reading of the Greek text it is not certain whether we ought not to omit the word "God" (ὁ Θεός). If it is a gloss which has crept into the text, it is unquestionably a just gloss. Similar omissions of the Divine Name, as Bishop Lightfoot observes, are frequent in St. Paul (see ch. 1:6; 2:8; <a href="/romans/8-11.htm">Romans 8:11</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a>). The verb εὐδοκεῖν properly exprcsses complacency; as e.g. <a href="/matthew/3-17.htm">Matthew 3:17</a>, "In whom I am well pleased;" and often. And this notion may be commonly traced in its use even when followed, as here, by an infinitive. Thus in <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-8.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:8</a>, "It would have been a pleasure to us to impart," etc.; in <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:1</a>, "It was painful to us to be left alone, but under the circumstances we gladly chose to be so." When applied, as here, to God, the notion of the pleasure which he takes in acts of beneficence must not be lost sight of; "Was graciously pleased;" comp. <a href="/luke/12-32.htm">Luke 12:32</a>, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In <a href="/ephesians/1-5.htm">Ephesians 1:5</a> the noun "good pleasure" points to the act of "predestination" spoken of as (if we may venture so to speak of God) a volition of his heart and not of merely his regulative wisdom. The apostle seems led to use the word here by the complacency and joy which he himself felt in having been made the recipient of this "revelation;" those sentiments of his own bosom are, to his view, a reflection of the Divine complacency in imparting it. At the same time, the reader must be conscious of the deep sense, in fact the supremely prevailing sense, which the apostle has just here, that the imparting of the revelation spoken of was the fruit solely of a Divine volition triumphing over extreme wickedness and infatuation on his own part. Compare, in this respect also, the passage <a href="/ephesians/1-5.htm">Ephesians 1:5</a>, just cited. It is this feeling which prompts the introduction of the deeply emotional parenthesis consisting of the two next clauses of the verse. Who separated me from my mother's womb (ὁ ἀφορίσας με ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου); who set me apart from my mother's womb. The verb ἀφορίζω, set apart, separate, which is found used in other relations in <a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a> (LXX.); <a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Matthew 13:49</a>; <a href="/matthew/25-32.htm">Matthew 25:32</a>; <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Acts 19:9</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Galatians 2:12</a>, is employed here with an implied reference to a specific office or work. Such a reference is explicitly added in <a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a>," Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them;" and in <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a>, "Separated unto the gospel of God." There is this distinction, however, between the "setting apart" of the present passage and that of <a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a>, that, whereas in the latter it was one actually realized, here it is in the Divine predestination only, which last seems to be nearly the sense of the words, "whereunto I have called them," in the Acts. In <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> the verb probably includes both senses. "From my mother's womb" means "from the time that I was as yet unborn;" not perhaps exactly "ever since my birth," as <a href="/judges/16-17.htm">Judges 16:17</a>; <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Matthew 19:12</a>; <a href="/acts/3-2.htm">Acts 3:2</a>; <a href="/acts/14-8.htm">Acts 14:8</a>; comp. rather <a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a>, as illustrated by ver. 41. The addition of these words is designed to mark the purely arbitrary character of this predestination. Comp. <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Romans 9:11</a>, "The children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand." Viewed thus, the clause appears as an utterance of adoring humility on the part of the apostle, combined, however, with the strongest possible assertion of the Divine origin of his mission. A similar statement of God's arbitrary selection of a particular human being for a particular function is found in <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Isaiah 49:1</a>, "The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name; "ibid., ver. 5, "That formed me from the womb to be his servant;" and again, with yet more striking resemblance, in <a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a>, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (προφήτην εἰς ἔθνη)." It is difficult not to believe that this conviction of the apostle concerning himself as an object of God's predestinating purpose, and perhaps even the form of its expression - for compare the words in the next verse, "That I might preach him among the Gentiles (ἔθνεσιν)" - was very mainly derived from the Lord's words to Jeremiah, applied by the Spirit to his own particular case (comp. <a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a>). The apostle feels that all the while that he had been pursuing that career of persecuting impiety and passionate Pharisaism, the Almighty had kept his eye upon him as his predestined apostle, and been waiting for the fitting hour when to summon him forth to his work. And called me by his grace (καὶ καλέσας με διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ). As the "setting apart" mentioned in the previous clause unquestionably was a "setting apart" for the apostolic office, it might seen convenient to understand the "calling" likewise as a calling to be an apostle. So most probably we are to take the words κλητὸς ἀπόστολος in <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> as meaning "called to be an apostle;" and in <a href="/hebrews/5-4.htm">Hebrews 5:4</a> the verb "called" is used of one called to be a priest. But the prevailing sense of "being called," in St. Paul's writings, refers to the bringing of the soul to Christ and into his kingdom; and in this definite reference the apostle uses the verb no less than twenty-four times, three of them in this Epistle (2 Corinthians 1:6; 5:8, 13). And this, the regular use of the term, is quite in place here. It was quite natural that the writer, after so vividly portraying his former life when unregenerate, should now distinctly advert to the moral transformation which by Divine grace he had been the subject cf. The word "grace" denotes God's freely expanding unmerited goodness, not as existing in himself, but as energizing upon men. This is made clear by the introduction of the preposition (διὰ) "through" or "by." It is that "grace whose "reigning" power the apostle so exultingly extols in <a href="/romans/5-15.htm">Romans 5:15-21</a> (comp. <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Ephesians 2:5</a>, "By grace have ye been saved"). The notion of mercy shown to the utterly undeserving is a prominent element of the word, connected as it is here with the description of the writer's former wickedness (comp. the use of the verb "obtained mercy (ἠλεήθην)" in <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13, 16</a>). This clause, together with the preceding one, is not to be taken as a part of the historical statement in conjunction with the next verse, as if tracing the successive steps of the transaction, but as a periphrastic designation of Almighty God adapted to the circumstances of the case. The one article prefixed in the Greek to the two combined clauses shows this. We need not, therefore, perplex ourselves to determine the relation in point of time which the Divine acts here indicated bear to that described in the verse which follows. The tone of the verse is in a measure apologetic, rebutting the prejudice which, we may be sure, did in the view of many accrue to the writer from what he once had been. Thus: "Nevertheless, God had all along, even kern the dawn of his being, set him apart to be his apostle; God, by a marvellous exercise of goodness, had called him forth out of that evil state to be his own: unworthy, no doubt, he had proved himself to be of such mercy; but what God's grace had made him, that he was; for who should dare to contravene his hand (comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">1 Corinthians 15:8-10</a>)?" <a href="/commentaries/galatians/1-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. when Ὅτε (Hote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3753.htm">Strong's 3753: </a> When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When. God, θεὸς (theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. set me apart ἀφορίσας (aphorisas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_873.htm">Strong's 873: </a> To rail off, separate, place apart. From apo and horizo; to set off by boundary, i.e. limit, exclude, appoint, etc. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. mother’s μητρός (mētros) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'. womb κοιλίας (koilias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2836.htm">Strong's 2836: </a> From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. called [me] καλέσας (kalesas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'. by διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. grace, χάριτος (charitos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5485.htm">Strong's 5485: </a> From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act. was pleased εὐδόκησεν (eudokēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2106.htm">Strong's 2106: </a> To be well-pleased, think it good, be resolved. From eu and dokeo; to think well of, i.e. Approve; specially, to approbate. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/1-15.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/1-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 1:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/1-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 1:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>