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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.

KJV

ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων, ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος, διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ·

Greek NT

Ego enim sum minimus Apostolorum, qui non sum dignus vocari Apostolus, quoniam persecutus sum ecclesiam Dei.

Vulgate

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

ASV

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

14 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
διότι
dioti
conjunction · 25×
διώκω
dioko
verb · 44×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
θεός
theos
noun · 1311×
καλέω
kaleo
verb · 148×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
ἀπόστολος
apostolos
noun · 79×
ἐγώ
ego
pronoun · 1720×
ἐκκλησία
ekklesia
noun · 114×
ἐλάχιστος
elachistos
adjective · 13×
ἱκανός
ikanos
adjective · 40×
o
article · 19778×
ὅς
os
relative_pronoun · 1404×

Historic Christian voices

9 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§752In Christian usage, the word "church" designates the liturgical assembly,141 but also the local community142 or the whole universal community of believers.143 These three meanings are inseparable. "The Church" is the People that God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly. She draws her life…
Homilies on Matthew · 2 passages
2. But why is it, that having mentioned Abraham, and having said that he begot Isaac, and Isaac, Jacob; and not having made any mention of his brother; when he has come to Jacob, he remembers both Judah, and his brethren? Now there are some that say, it was because of the perverseness of Esau, and of the rest that came before. But I should not say this; for if it were so, how i…
2. For such are all they who practise self restraint in mere words, unpardoning and grievous to bear as having no experience of the difficulty in actions. And this itself too is no small fault, and in no ordinary way increases the former charge. But do thou mark, I pray you, how He aggravates this accusation also. For He did not say, they cannot, but, they will not. And He did …
1. Beloved, God being loving towards man and beneficent, does and contrives all things in order that we may shine in virtue, and as desiring that we be well approved by Him. And to this end He draws no one by force or compulsion: but by persuasion and benefits He draws all that will, and wins them to Himself. Wherefore when He came, some received Him, and others received Him no…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210205.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
He finally describes the thirty-second year of his age, the most memorable of his whole life, in which, being instructed by Simplicianus concerning the conversion of others, and the manner of acting, he is, after a severe struggle, renewed in his whole mind, and is converted unto God. Chapter 1. He, Now Given to Divine Things, and Yet Entangled by the Lusts of Love, Consults Si…

Cross-references

  • 1Chr 29:14 — But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
  • 1Tim 1:13 — Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
  • 1Tim 1:15 — This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
  • 2Cor 12:11 — I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
  • Acts 8:3 — As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
  • Acts 8:3 — As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
  • Acts 9:1 — And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
  • Acts 9:1 — And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
  • Acts 20:28 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
  • Acts 22:4 — And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
  • Acts 26:9 — I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
  • Acts 26:10 — Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
  • Eph 3:7 — Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
  • Eph 3:8 — Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
  • Gal 1:13 — For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
  • Gal 1:23 — But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
  • Judg 6:15 — And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
  • Luke 15:19 — And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
  • Luke 17:10 — So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
  • Matt 11:11 — Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
  • Phil 2:3 — Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
  • Phil 3:6 — Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.