UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: untimely birth

Semantic entry: 23.55

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Birth, Procreation

Definition: an untimely or premature birth

Notes: There is a certain fundamental problem involved in the rendering of ἔκτρωμα in RV CO1 15:8 · LV CO1 15:8 · Read together CO1 15:8. Here Paul refers to himself, but the event in question is the appearance of Jesus to Paul, evidently on the road to Damascus. The reference, therefore, would seem to be his being born as a Christian. This spiritual birth, however, would appear to be rather late in the process rather than premature. It is for this reason that it may be wise to translate ἔκτρωμα in some instances as ‘untimely birth’ or ‘born at the wrong time,’ rather than indicating that he was ‘born too soon.’