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.
Word Reference
Original Word Definitions
Ἐγὼ
G1473 P-1NS
egō
I, me
  • I, me, my
γάρ
G1063 CONJ
gar
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
  • for
εἰμι
G1510 V-PAI-1S
eimi
I exist (used only when emphatic)
  • to be, to exist, to happen, to be present
G3588 T-NSM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
ἐλάχιστος
G1646 A-NSM
elachistos
used as equivalent to G3398; least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.)
  • smallest least
    • in size
    • "in amount: of management of affairs"in importance: what is the least moment"in authority: of commandments"in the estimation of men: of persons"in rank and excellence: of persons
τῶν
G3588 T-GPM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
ἀποστόλων
G652 N-GPM
apostolos
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (___%___apostle___%___) (with miraculous powers)
  • a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
    • specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
    • "in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
      • of Barnabas
      • "of Timothy and Silvanus
ὃς
G3739 R-NSM
hos
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
  • who, which, what, that
οὐκ
G3756 PRT-N
ou
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
  • no, not
εἰμὶ
G1510 V-PAI-1S
eimi
I exist (used only when emphatic)
  • to be, to exist, to happen, to be present
ἱκανὸς
G2425 A-NSM
hikanos
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
  • sufficient
    • many enough, enough
    • "sufficient in ability, i.e., meet, fit
καλεῖσθαι
G2564 V-PPN
kaleō
to ___%___call___%___ (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
  • to call
    • to call aloud, utter in a loud voice
    • "to invite
    to call i.e., to name, by name
    • to give a name to
      • to receive the name of, receive as a name
      • "to give some name to one, call his name
      to be called i.e., to bear a name or title (among men)"to salute one by name
ἀπόστολος
G652 N-NSM
apostolos
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (___%___apostle___%___) (with miraculous powers)
  • a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
    • specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
    • "in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
      • of Barnabas
      • "of Timothy and Silvanus
διότι
G1360 CONJ
dioti
on the very account that, or inasmuch as
  • on this account that, because
  • "for
ἐδίωξα
G1377 V-AAI-1S
diōkō
compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
  • to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
  • "to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
    • to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
    • "to pursue (in a hostile manner)
    in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
    • to persecute
    • "to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
    without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone"metaphorically, to pursue
    • to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire
τὴν
G3588 T-ASF
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
ἐκκλησίαν
G1577 N-ASF
ekklēsia
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
  • a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
    • an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
    • "the assembly of the Israelites"any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously"in a Christian sense
      • an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
      • "a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake"those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body"the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth"the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
τοῦ
G3588 T-GSM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
θεοῦ·
G2316 N-GSM
theos
a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by Hebraism)
  • a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
  • "the Godhead, trinity
    • God the Father, the first person in the trinity
    • "Christ, the second person of the trinity"Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
    spoken of the only and true God
    • refers to the things of God
    • "his counsels, interests, things due to him
    whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
    • God's representative or viceregent
      • of magistrates and judges

Ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ·
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.
Cross References

Ephesians 3:7

οὗ ἐγενόμην διάκονος κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσαν μοι κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ
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.

1 Timothy 1:13

τὸν πρότερον ὄντα βλάσφημον καὶ διώκτην καὶ ὑβριστήν ἀλλ' ἠλεήθην ὅτι ἀγνοῶν ἐποίησα ἐν ἀπιστίᾳ·
13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

2 Corinthians 12:11

Γέγονα ἄφρων καυχώμενος· ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφ' ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερ λίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι
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

Σαῦλος δὲ ἐλυμαίνετο τὴν ἐκκλησίαν κατὰ τοὺς οἴκους εἰσπορευόμενος σύρων τε ἄνδρας καὶ γυναῖκας παρεδίδου εἰς φυλακήν
3
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 26:9

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν ἔδοξα ἐμαυτῷ πρὸς τὸ ὄνομα Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου δεῖν πολλὰ ἐναντία πρᾶξαι
9
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Galatians 1:23

μόνον δὲ ἀκούοντες ἦσαν ὅτι διώκων ἡμᾶς ποτε νῦν εὐαγγελίζεται τὴν πίστιν ἥν ποτε ἐπόρθει
23
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Acts 9:1

δὲ Σαῦλος ἔτι ἐμπνέων ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου εἰς τοὺς μαθητὰς τοῦ κυρίου προσελθὼν τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ
1
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 Corinthians 11:5

λογίζομαι γὰρ μηδὲν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπερ λίαν ἀποστόλων·
5
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Philippians 3:6

κατὰ ζῆλον διώκων τὴν ἐκκλησίαν κατὰ δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐν νόμῳ γενόμενος ἄμεμπτος
6
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Galatians 1:13

Ἠκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ ὅτι καθ' ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν
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:

Acts 22:4

ὃς ταύτην τὴν ὁδὸν ἐδίωξα ἄχρι θανάτου δεσμεύων καὶ παραδιδοὺς εἰς φυλακὰς ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας
4
And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.