John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles ,.... Referring not to the littleness of his stature, but to the figure before used, and as expressing not the opinion of others concerning him, but the true and real sense he had of himself, for which he himself gives the strongest reason that can be given; and by "apostles" he means not only the twelve, but all other ministers of the Gospel that were sent forth by Christ to preach it: nor need this be wondered at, when he says, that he was less than the... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:8
And last of all he was seen of me also ,.... Either when the apostle was caught up into the third heaven; or when he was in a trance in the temple at Jerusalem; or rather at the time of his conversion, when he not only heard the voice of Christ, but saw him in the human nature; for he expressly says, that he appeared unto him, and he calls it the heavenly vision, Acts 26:16 . This was a sight of Christ in heaven, not on earth, such an one as Stephen had, and was a corporeal one; otherwise... read more