Galatia 1:15-16

1:15 But when the one ¹  who set me apart from birth ²  and called me by his grace was pleased 1:16 to reveal his Son in ³  me so that I could preach him ⁴  among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from ⁵  any human being, ⁶ 

Kisah Para Rasul 9:15

9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument ⁷  to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. ⁸ 

Kisah Para Rasul 20:24

20:24 But I do not consider my life ⁹  worth anything ¹⁰  to myself, so that ¹¹  I may finish my task ¹²  and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news ¹³  of God’s grace.

[1:15]  ¹ tc ‡ Several important witnesses have ὁ θεός (Jo qeos) after εὐδόκησεν (eudokhsen; so א A D Ψ 0278 33 1739 1881 Ï co) while the shorter reading is supported by Ì⁴⁶ B F G 629 1505 pc lat. There is hardly any reason why scribes would omit the words (although the Beatty papyrus and the Western text do at times omit words and phrases), but several reasons why scribes would add the words (especially the need to clarify). The confluence of witnesses for the shorter reading (including a few fathers and versions) adds strong support for its authenticity. It is also in keeping with Paul’s style to refrain from mentioning God by name as a rhetorical device (cf. ExSyn 437 [although this section deals with passive constructions, the principle is the same]). NA²⁷ includes the words in brackets, indicating some doubts as to their authenticity.

[1:15]  ² tn Grk “from my mother’s womb.”

[1:16]  ³ tn Or “to me”; the Greek preposition ἐν (en) can mean either, depending on the context.

[1:16]  ⁴ tn This pronoun refers to “his Son,” mentioned earlier in the verse.

[1:16]  ⁵ tn Or “I did not consult with.” For the translation “I did not go to ask advice from” see L&N 33.175.

[1:16]  ⁶ tn Grk “from flesh and blood.”

[9:15]  ⁷ tn Or “tool.”

[9:15]  ⁸ tn Grk “the sons of Israel.” In Acts, Paul is a minister to all nations, including Israel (Rom 1:16-17).

[20:24]  ⁹ tn Grk “soul.”

[20:24]  ¹⁰ tn Or “I do not consider my life worth a single word.” According to BDAG 599 s.v. λόγος 1.a.α, “In the textually uncertain pass. Ac 20:24 the text as it stands in N., οὐδενὸς λόγου (v.l. λόγον) ποιοῦμαι τὴν ψυχὴν τιμίαν, may well mean: I do not consider my life worth a single word (cp. λόγου ἄξιον [ἄξιος 1a] and our ‘worth mention’).”

[20:24]  ¹¹ tn BDAG 1106 s.v. ὡς 9 describes this use as “a final particle, expressing intention/purpose, with a view to, in order to.”

[20:24]  ¹² tn Grk “course.” See L&N 42.26, “(a figurative extension of meaning of δρόμος ‘race’) a task or function involving continuity, serious, effort, and possibly obligation – ‘task, mission’…Ac 20:24.” On this Pauline theme see also Phil 1:19-26; Col 1:24; 2 Tim 4:6-7.

[20:24]  ¹³ tn Or “to the gospel.”