Did Paul Actually See Jesus?

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It is commonly said that the Apostle Paul never laid eyes on Jesus of Nazareth, in His earthly ministry. The verse below would, at first glance seem to say Paul did “see” the Jesus on earth. However we must look into this verse not only in its near context but also in its remote context to determine what it does say.

1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJV) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

I believe Paul here is speaking of himself in terms of his Jewish heritage, as a former Pharisee of Israel and thus using the word “born” in reference to Jews needing to be “born-again” spiritually as Jesus presented to Nicodemus in John 3, see below.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)

In 1 Corinthians 15:8 Paul qualifies his ‘seeing’ Jesus in the 2nd half of the verse, thus setting the context of the first half of the verse,

The 2nd half of the verse says “as one born out of due time is significant. The term “out of due time” is form the Greek, ektroma, meaning an “untimely birth.”

Well, what ‘time’ was it? We must ask when was the “due time” was for the Jews of Israel to be “born” spiritually? That appointed time was when Jesus of Nazareth offered Israel salvation through faith in him when He came to earth the 1st time. But Israel rejected Jesus and crucified Him; then the age changed from Israel to that of the Gentiles.

Paul came to “see” spiritually by being “born of God,” but not in that “due time.” Paul same to “see” the risen Lord and be saved outside of that due time for Israel… it was in the time of the Gentile age of pure grace.

The Jewish age had been put in abeyance, put on pause, while the Lord turned to the Gentiles.

“…blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25b (KJV)

The Lord from heaven then reached down and saved Paul, being seen of Paul as a great “light” from heaven. which 1st blinded Paul. Shortly after that Paul received new sight... seeing the risen Lord as He now is.

Thus we may conclude that Paul was born-again and came to really see Jesus as the risen Lord, but not in the appointed time of Israel, it was in the age of the Gentiles as… “The Apostle to the Gentile” (Rom 11:13).