1Cor 15:9 | RWP | e4.org | The least ( ο ελαχιστος ). True superlative, not elative. Explanation of the strong word εκτρωμα just used. See where he calls himself "less than the least of all saints" and the "chief" ( πρωτος ) of sinners. Yet under attack from the Judaizers Paul stood up for his rank as equal to any apostle ( ., ). Because I persecuted the church of God ( εδιωξα την εκκλησιαν του θεου ). There were times when this terrible fact confronted Paul like a nightmare. Who does not understand this mood of contrition?

‏ 1 Corinthians 15:9

The least ( ο ελαχιστος ). True superlative, not elative. Explanation of the strong word εκτρωμα just used. See Eph 3:8 where he calls himself "less than the least of all saints" and 1Ti 1:15 the "chief" ( πρωτος ) of sinners. Yet under attack from the Judaizers Paul stood up for his rank as equal to any apostle (2Co 11:5f.,23).

Because I persecuted the church of God ( εδιωξα την εκκλησιαν του θεου ). There were times when this terrible fact confronted Paul like a nightmare. Who does not understand this mood of contrition?