What does the verse mean: "Many are called but few are chosen"
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I think you gave the right verse to clarify it - "not everyone who calls me Lord...but he who does the will of..." That to me intimates that not everyone who professes to be a christian - and even those whose eyes who have been opened to the truth - are going to be chosen.
I don't state this lightly because I know I'm a sinner saved by Christ. But I know 'Christians' - people I genuinely believe are spiritually reborn - who are filthy liars - with tongues of Belial - and I know another 'Christian' who participated in something really vile. I cannot imagine being in heaven with people like that, because frankly, it wouldn't be heaven.
So it made me wonder about that verse. It seems to imply that not all true christians are going to be chosen.
I don't state this lightly because I know I'm a sinner saved by Christ. But I know 'Christians' - people I genuinely believe are spiritually reborn - who are filthy liars - with tongues of Belial - and I know another 'Christian' who participated in something really vile. I cannot imagine being in heaven with people like that, because frankly, it wouldn't be heaven.
So it made me wonder about that verse. It seems to imply that not all true christians are going to be chosen.
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The parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven that the Jews all believed was coming and that they would be a part of.
They hoped Jesus would bring it by conquest of the Romans. The Kingdom of Heaven, or Kingdom of God was prophesied and they looked forward to it. Jesus is using this parable to explain that those who thought they were going to be part of it because they were Jews, or the seed of Abraham or followed the rules of the Pharisees were not going to inherit it. They were going to reject Jesus as the messaiah and their city would be burned up, as it was in 70AD. When the Kingdom finally does come on the earth they will not be part of it because they would die in their sins unregenerate and without the wedding garment of Faith in Jesus Christ. Even though they were called through the covenant of Abraham they would not be chosen in the end. But Gods House would be filled and He would have guests at the wedding. He would go to the Gentiles and fill his house with those who are according to the Jews unclean and despised... into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
That is you and me. Praise GOD!!!
So many of the Jews were called but few (only those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ) would be chosen.
Matt 22
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen.
Luke 14
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
They hoped Jesus would bring it by conquest of the Romans. The Kingdom of Heaven, or Kingdom of God was prophesied and they looked forward to it. Jesus is using this parable to explain that those who thought they were going to be part of it because they were Jews, or the seed of Abraham or followed the rules of the Pharisees were not going to inherit it. They were going to reject Jesus as the messaiah and their city would be burned up, as it was in 70AD. When the Kingdom finally does come on the earth they will not be part of it because they would die in their sins unregenerate and without the wedding garment of Faith in Jesus Christ. Even though they were called through the covenant of Abraham they would not be chosen in the end. But Gods House would be filled and He would have guests at the wedding. He would go to the Gentiles and fill his house with those who are according to the Jews unclean and despised... into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
That is you and me. Praise GOD!!!
So many of the Jews were called but few (only those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ) would be chosen.
Matt 22
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen.
Luke 14
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Could it be that many do not really take their sins to Christ but aim to keep the sin?
If we really want sin to be wiped out so we are righteous through Christ we must give our sin to Him, not ask Christ to accept the sin in us but just forgive.
We know we cannot be righteous by our own efforts, it is only Christ that makes us righteous. But I don't think Christ can go against our will to give us righteousness.
If we really want sin to be wiped out so we are righteous through Christ we must give our sin to Him, not ask Christ to accept the sin in us but just forgive.
We know we cannot be righteous by our own efforts, it is only Christ that makes us righteous. But I don't think Christ can go against our will to give us righteousness.
The word many is the key. it defines the all as a portion Universalist say all means w every one. As many as the father gave to the Son .They alone can come as the father draws them
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he "power" to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
John 6:64-66 King James Version (KJV) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he "power" to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
John 6:64-66 King James Version (KJV) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Matthew 22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
So the king sent his servants out to bring in anyone who would come. Then the king spotted
a man with inappropriate clothes on. The king was not concerned about the man's fashion.
Here is where the Jews come in. The man was a Jew and he was disrespecting the king. So
the king kicked him out into the darkness. The king knew the man was just there to take
notes on what was going on. They had their chance and they refused it. So those who come
as invited are chosen. The rest are out on the street. We always need to accept when God
calls, that is His ways. king = God
So the king sent his servants out to bring in anyone who would come. Then the king spotted
a man with inappropriate clothes on. The king was not concerned about the man's fashion.
Here is where the Jews come in. The man was a Jew and he was disrespecting the king. So
the king kicked him out into the darkness. The king knew the man was just there to take
notes on what was going on. They had their chance and they refused it. So those who come
as invited are chosen. The rest are out on the street. We always need to accept when God
calls, that is His ways. king = God
I think it is best described in this manner - there is a difference between a Christian by title and a Christian by heart. However I don't think the verse has to do with our ability to not sin or do the Lords will, many are called because he desires that all men are saved(and women) but people hear his calling but are not chosen because they refuse to listen.
Anyone can be called, he calls every person all the time but people tune him out and live their lives the way they want to thus not being chosen because they themselves made it that way. He doesn't force anything on us he treasures a willling child not a controlled one so he calls everyone he draws them but they have to choose to be chosen.
Anyone can be called, he calls every person all the time but people tune him out and live their lives the way they want to thus not being chosen because they themselves made it that way. He doesn't force anything on us he treasures a willling child not a controlled one so he calls everyone he draws them but they have to choose to be chosen.
When we read scripture through the eyes of the Jew/gentile question instead of knowing that God is speaking to all the people God created as equal, then we read it from a slanted viewpoint that is not of God. God does not invite only Jews to come to Him, God invites mankind.
God created the Jews out of the gentile race, they each and every one can trace their lineage back to gentiles. He gave them special training and a special place for the sake of all mankind.
God created the Jews out of the gentile race, they each and every one can trace their lineage back to gentiles. He gave them special training and a special place for the sake of all mankind.
What was He talking about before that verse? No one can come to Him on their own. It has to be by the sweet holy Spirit. So you came to Christ?.. you choose Him? No.. He chose you. Many are called.. few are chosen. Some get stuck on the wording. Like saying God harden so and so heart. No.. Its about a wedding. To say all those that come.. they chose to be there..is wrong. He did.. He chose them.
Like it or not.. agree or not.. He chose every one of us. Such pride by some to think.. they found Christ. That conviction in ones heart came from? Yep.. holy Spirit. So you see.. many are called.. few are chosen. He called to them.. many said no.. few said yes.
Makes you wonder why YOU and ME are not crying in the streets huh. This is what GOD did? "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water
Like it or not.. agree or not.. He chose every one of us. Such pride by some to think.. they found Christ. That conviction in ones heart came from? Yep.. holy Spirit. So you see.. many are called.. few are chosen. He called to them.. many said no.. few said yes.
Makes you wonder why YOU and ME are not crying in the streets huh. This is what GOD did? "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water
OP: What does the verse mean: "Many are called but few are chosen"
Context is alway's KEY! Below Vine's Greek to English bible dictionary lists 7 meaning based on context used: 5 times as a verb, once a noun & in the verse questioned an adjective.
I listed eklekto/Greek - chosen/English 1st
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Choice, Choose, Chosen
[ Adjective,G1588, eklektos ]
akin to A, No. 1, signifies "chosen out, select,"
(MY NOTE: Jesus said" if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me John 12:32.
Jesus was lifted up on cross & most importantly, from the grave. God the Father's stamped receipt, sins required payment received & accepted. So, everyone born post resurrection will be drawn/CALLED. Only those that call on/receive Christ's sin atoning death, burial & resurrection are those who will be CHOSEN)
[ Verb,G1586, eklego ]
to pick out, select," means, in the Middle Voice, "to choose for oneself," not necessarily implying the rejection of what is not chosen, but "choosing" with the subsidiary ideas of kindness of favor or love,
[ Verb,G1951, epilego ]
in the Middle Voice, signifies "to choose," either in addition or in succession to another.
[ Verb,G138, haireo ]
"to take," is used in the Middle Voice only, in the sense of taking for oneself, choosing, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, of a "choice" made by God (as in Deuteronomy 7:6-Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy Its special significance is to select rather by the act of taking, than by showing preference or favor.
[ Verb,G140, hairetizo ]
akin to the verbal adjective hairetos, "that which may be taken" (See No.3), signifies "to take," with the implication that what is taken is eligible or suitable; hence, "to choose," by reason of this suitability,
[ Verb,G4401, procheirotoneo ]
signifies "to choose before,"
Notes: (1) For procheirizo See APPOINT, No. 12.
(2) Stratologeo, in 2 Timothy 2:4 (AV, "chosen to be a soldier"), signifies to enroll as a soldier (RV). See SOLDIER.
[ Noun,G1589, ekloge ]
akin to A, No. 1 and B, "a picking out, choosing" (Eng., "eclogue"), is translated "chosen" in Acts 9:15, lit., "he is a vessel of choice unto Me." In the six other places where this word is found it is translated "election." See ELECTION.
Context is alway's KEY! Below Vine's Greek to English bible dictionary lists 7 meaning based on context used: 5 times as a verb, once a noun & in the verse questioned an adjective.
I listed eklekto/Greek - chosen/English 1st
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Choice, Choose, Chosen
[ Adjective,G1588, eklektos ]
akin to A, No. 1, signifies "chosen out, select,"
(MY NOTE: Jesus said" if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me John 12:32.
Jesus was lifted up on cross & most importantly, from the grave. God the Father's stamped receipt, sins required payment received & accepted. So, everyone born post resurrection will be drawn/CALLED. Only those that call on/receive Christ's sin atoning death, burial & resurrection are those who will be CHOSEN)
[ Verb,G1586, eklego ]
to pick out, select," means, in the Middle Voice, "to choose for oneself," not necessarily implying the rejection of what is not chosen, but "choosing" with the subsidiary ideas of kindness of favor or love,
[ Verb,G1951, epilego ]
in the Middle Voice, signifies "to choose," either in addition or in succession to another.
[ Verb,G138, haireo ]
"to take," is used in the Middle Voice only, in the sense of taking for oneself, choosing, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, of a "choice" made by God (as in Deuteronomy 7:6-Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy Its special significance is to select rather by the act of taking, than by showing preference or favor.
[ Verb,G140, hairetizo ]
akin to the verbal adjective hairetos, "that which may be taken" (See No.3), signifies "to take," with the implication that what is taken is eligible or suitable; hence, "to choose," by reason of this suitability,
[ Verb,G4401, procheirotoneo ]
signifies "to choose before,"
Notes: (1) For procheirizo See APPOINT, No. 12.
(2) Stratologeo, in 2 Timothy 2:4 (AV, "chosen to be a soldier"), signifies to enroll as a soldier (RV). See SOLDIER.
[ Noun,G1589, ekloge ]
akin to A, No. 1 and B, "a picking out, choosing" (Eng., "eclogue"), is translated "chosen" in Acts 9:15, lit., "he is a vessel of choice unto Me." In the six other places where this word is found it is translated "election." See ELECTION.
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On what scripture are you base this conclusion?
Scripture tells us Christ was at the beginning of creation, and Christ does include us in His gospel. If all gentile people were excluded until Paul was sent to bring the gospel to the gentiles, then all we learn of God ( and Christ is God) is out for us.
The Hebrews came from gentiles. Yet you say God includes them and excludes us for 4,000 years of our earth, it is only in the last 2,000 years we God recognizes us! That is impossible.
Scripture tells us Christ was at the beginning of creation, and Christ does include us in His gospel. If all gentile people were excluded until Paul was sent to bring the gospel to the gentiles, then all we learn of God ( and Christ is God) is out for us.
The Hebrews came from gentiles. Yet you say God includes them and excludes us for 4,000 years of our earth, it is only in the last 2,000 years we God recognizes us! That is impossible.