{It was the good pleasure of God} (eudok(8873)en ho theos).
Paul had no doubt about God's purpose in him ( 1Th 2:8 ). {Who
separated me} (ho aphorisas me). Aphoriz(935c) is old word (from
apo and horos) to mark off from a boundary or line. The
Pharisees were the separatists who held themselves off from
others. Paul conceives himself as a spiritual Pharisee "separated
unto the gospel of God" ( Ro 1:1 , the same word aph(9372)ismenos).
Before his birth God had his plans for him and called him.