An untimely birth, miscarriage, or abortive delivery — a child born before its time. Used once in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 15:8, where Paul applies it to himself as one who saw the risen Christ abnormally, as 'one untimely born.'
Paul's use of ektroma is one of the most striking self-descriptions in the New Testament. In listing the resurrection appearances, he comes to himself last — 'as to one abnormally born.' Paul acknowledges that his conversion was extraordinary, perhaps irregular — he saw the risen Christ after the ascension, not during the forty days. Yet God's grace made him 'the least of the apostles' who became one of the greatest. The abnormally born who bore the most fruit. Grace transforms even the most unlikely beginnings.