Tonight we will be reading through Galatians 1:10-24. Within these verses, Paul tells us about his calling to be an apostle. Paul says that God “set me apart from my mother’s womb.” Gal. 1:15. Paul does not use this statement in any of his other correspondence nor in his preaching in Acts. Therefore, the question is what does Paul mean by this statement and why does he include it here? This type of statement is somewhat common in the Hebrew Scriptures. Samson (Judges 13:5), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5), (Second) Isaiah (Isaiah 49: 1, 5), and the Psalmist (71:6, 139:13) all claim to have been set apart by God from their mother’s womb. And then there is the prophet Samuel who was conceived for the very purpose of serving God. 1 Samuel 1.
Paul, probably, is attempting to equate his call with that of the prophets. For like their call, Paul’s calling also came directly from God. However, Samson, Jeremiah, Second Isaiah, Samuel, and probably the Psalmist, all served God from the beginning. Unlike Paul, none of them persecuted the people of God before becoming a prophet. On the other hand, Paul was a zealous persecutor of the church of which he now claims to be an apostle. See, Acts 7:58, Phil. 3:6. If Paul was set apart from the womb, why didn’t Jesus call him along with the Twelve or at least appear to Paul between the Resurrection and the Ascension? See, 1 Cor. 15:8. Paul never answers this question. For tonight, think through the question. If Paul was set apart by God in the womb, why did God wait so late to reveal himself to Paul fully?
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta Salad. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here. Please bring a friend.
I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
Galatians 1:22-24