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February 12, 2020
Paul set apart from the womb in Gal 1:15?
Paul’s purpose in Galatians 1:15-17, was to expand on what he wrote in Gal 1:1 that his apostolic work didn’t come from men or a man, but from Jesus Christ (also see Rom 1:1). Also, notice the major contrast between 1:15-17 and 1:13-14.
If we go a bit wider, in Gal 1:11-17 Paul’s purpose is also to answer opponents who have proclaimed a “different gospel” (1:6) which was undermining his apostolic authority (1:1). In these verses, Paul effectively argued that his gospel, like his apostleship, wasn’t received from a human source but directly from God.
This verse doesn’t teach unconditional divine election, but it says that God separated Paul from his mother’s tomb for a particular task, to be the spokesman for the gospel to the Gentiles. So, even before Paul was born, God had his eye on him and set him apart for his important apostolic ministry. This is very similar to several OT passages that refer to prophets who were set apart from the womb for their future tasks (e.g., Is 49:1-6; Jer 1:4-5; for a similar idea, see also Gen 25:23; Ps 71:6; Is 44:2; and Luke 1:5-17).
See my post from August 23, 2019 (page 135 in the Word document containing all of my questions and answers) about Jeremiah 1:5.
Sources Consulted
Anders, Max. Galatians-Colossians. Vol. 8. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Arichea, Daniel C., and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. New York: United Bible Societies, 1976. UBS Handbook Series.
Baird, William. “Visions, Revelation, and Ministry: Reflections on 2 Cor 12:1–5 and Gal 1:11–17.” Journal of Biblical Literature 104 (1985): 651-662.
Boles, Kenneth L. Galatians & Ephesians. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1993. The College Press NIV Commentary.
Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982. New International Greek Testament Commentary.
Campbell, Donald K. “Galatians.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 591–592.
George, Timothy. Galatians. Vol. 30. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994. The New American Commentary.
Hansen, G. Walter. Galatians. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series.
Hester, James D. “The Rhetorical Structure of Galatians 1:11–2:14.” Journal of Biblical Literature 103 (1984): 233-233.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Knox, John. “On the Meaning of Galatians 1:15.” Journal of Biblical Literature 106 (1987): 301-304.
Lewis, Gordon R. Lewis Bruce A. Demarest. Integrative Theology. Zondervan.
Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. Moody Publishers, 360, 363.
Wiarda, Timothy. “Plot and Character in Galatians 1–2.” Tyndale Bulletin 55.2 (2004): 231-252.
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996.
________. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992.
Wilkin, Robert N. “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians.” The Grace New Testament Commentary. Ed. Robert N. Wilkin. Denton, TX.