Election callings

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

… vocati … electi [v]

Democratic (and other) countries often have elections. Some communist countries have elections that give their people a choice of two communist party candidates. (Somewhat like the system in some parts of California).

What exactly is an election? And what does it mean to be elected? And who are the "elect"? And how might being "elected" differ from being "called"? We now take an "eclectic" view of these topics from a Biblical perspective.

Choices
Counting
Voting
Elections

Note: In the KJV (King James Version), the word translated "elect" is often translated "chosen".

The Greek words which are usually translated "elect" or "chosen" and "called" appear in the same verse in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and LXX (Septuagint) in several places, including the following.

Matthew 22:14 and 20:16
2 Peter 1:10
Revelation 17:14
Isaiah 45:4

These verses can help shed light on the similarities and differences in which the two words are used.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

… vocati … electi [v]

There is an old line, in or about denominational churches (that have a name), that goes as follows.

Instead of "many are called, but few are chosen",
the line is "many are cold, a few are frozen".

The line brings to mind the reference to cold and hot in the letter of Jesus to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation.

More: Revelation 3:15-16 Zesty hot and frigid cold

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. [kjv]

Note that the phrase "many be called, but few chosen" appears in the TR (Textus Receptus) but not the WH (Westcott Horte) GNT. The phrase does appear a few chapters later.

Matthew 20:16

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KJV: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Greek: ουτως εσονται οι εσχατοι πρωτοι και οι πρωτοι εσχατοι πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

… vocati … electi [v]

The ancient Greek word "ἐκλεκτός" ≈ "picked out, selected" and is the source of the English word "eclectic". The Greek word comes from two Greek words.

"εκ" ≈ "out of" as in the first part of "exodus" as "the way out".
"λέγω" ≈ "order, arrange, gather, choose, say, call" which is the source of the English word "legacy" as in what people will say about you.

The Greek word is related to the Latin word "electio" ≈ "choice, selection". The modern Greek word "εκλέκτον" (eh-KLEH-kton) ≈ "elect, chosen".

Matthew 22:14

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KJV: For many are called, but few are chosen.

Greek: πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι

Latin: multi autem sunt vocati pauci vero electi

Wessex: Witodlice manega synde ge-laðede äc feawe ge-corene.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. [kjv]

ουτοι μετα του αρνιου πολεμησουσιν και το αρνιον νικησει αυτους οτι κυριος κυριων εστιν και βασιλευς βασιλεων και οι μετ αυτου κλητοι και εκλεκτοι και πιστοι [gnt]

… vocati … electi … fideles [v]

The war against the followers appears to be against the "called", the "elect" or "chosen", and the "faithful".

The word "and" is called a conjunction or intersection in that all must apply. Is this the case here?

English "called", "vocati" ≈ "called" (vocal, vocation, etc.), "κλήτοι" (KLEE-tee) ≈ "called" (clergy)
English "chosen/elected", "electi" ≈ "elected", "εκλέκτοι" (eh-KLEH-ktee) ≈ "elect" (elect, eclectic, etc.)
English "faithful", "fideles" ≈ "faithful" (fidelity, fiduciary, etc.), "πίστοι" (PEE-stee) ≈ "faithful".

More: Logical conjunction

Revelation 17:14

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KJV: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Greek: ουτοι μετα του αρνιου πολεμησουσιν και το αρνιον νικησει αυτους οτι κυριος κυριων εστιν και βασιλευς βασιλεων και οι μετ αυτου κλητοι και εκλεκτοι και πιστοι

Latin: hii cum agno pugnabunt et agnus vincet illos quoniam Dominus dominorum est et rex regum et qui cum illo sunt vocati et electi et fideles

Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. [kjv]

ενεκεν ιακωβ του παιδος μου και ισραηλ του εκλεκτου μου εγω καλεσω σε τω ονοματι σου και προσδεξομαι σε συ δε ουκ εγνως με [lxx]

45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: [kjv]

The LXX uses "elect" and "called" in Isaiah 45:4. The second verse appears to mirror the meaning of the previous verse.

Isaiah 45:4

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KJV: For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Hebrew: למען עבדי יעקב וישראל בחירי ואקרא לך בשמך אכנך ולא ידעתני׃

Greek: ενεκεν ιακωβ του παιδος μου και ισραηλ του εκλεκτου μου εγω καλεσω σε τω ονοματι σου και προσδεξομαι σε συ δε ουκ εγνως με

Wycliffe: for my seruaunt Jacob, and Israel my chosun, and Y clepide thee bi thi name; Y licnyde thee, and thou knewist not me.

Isaiah 45:5

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KJV: I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

Hebrew: אני יהוה ואין עוד זולתי אין אלהים אאזרך ולא ידעתני׃

Greek: οτι εγω κυριος ο θεος και ουκ εστιν ετι πλην εμου θεος και ουκ ηδεις με

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]

εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους [gnt]

… lease witegen… gecorene … [wes]

In the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus talks about "all of it" in the end times, the "elect", not just those "called", are in potential danger of being deceived.

The Wessex Gospels use "lease witegen" for "false prophets". The "witegen" were the "prophets" or "wise men". The "wit" in "witegen" is still in English as "wit" as in "smarts" or "understanding".

Matthew 24:24

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KJV: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Greek: εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανησαι πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους

Latin: surgent enim pseudochristi et pseudoprophetae et dabunt signa magna et prodigia ita ut in errorem inducantur si fieri potest etiam electi

Wessex: þanne cumeð lease cristes & lease witegen. & doð micel taken. & forbaecne þt þa beoð on ge-dwolen ge-laedde. Gyf hyt beon maeg þe gecorene waeren.

Luther: Denn es werden falsche Christi und falsche Propheten aufstehen und große Zeichen und Wunder tun, daß verführet werden in den Irrtum (wo es möglich wäre) auch die Auserwählten.

Russian: Ибо восстанут лжехристы и лжепророки, и дадут великие знамения и чудеса, чтобы прельстить, если возможно, и избранных.

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [kjv]

διο μαλλον αδελφοι σπουδασατε βεβαιαν υμων την κλησιν και εκλογην ποιεισθαι ταυτα γαρ ποιουντες ου μη πταισητε ποτε [gnt]

Peter uses the words for "calling" and "election".

2 Peter 1:10

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KJV: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Greek: διο μαλλον αδελφοι σπουδασατε βεβαιαν υμων την κλησιν και εκλογην ποιεισθαι ταυτα γαρ ποιουντες ου μη πταισητε ποτε

Latin: quapropter fratres magis satagite ut per bona opera certam vestram vocationem et electionem faciatis haec enim facientes non peccabitis aliquando

Wycliffe: Wherfor, britheren, be ye more bisi, that by goode werkis ye make youre clepyng and chesyng certeyn;

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

… vocati … electi [v]

In general, the following may apply.

A calling is on (open) invitation without a selection process.
An election is not a choice, one is chosen.

Proverbs 7:14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. [kjv]

θυσια ειρηνικη μοι εστιν σημερον αποδιδωμι τας ευχας μου [lxx]

… vota … [v]

… votos… [es]

Have you ever made a "vow"?
Have you ever "voted"?
Have you ever made a "wish"?
Have you ever "prayed"?
The Latin word "voveo" ≈ "vow, promise, wish, desire" and is the source of the English words "vow", "vote", etc.

A vote can be considered a "wish" (or perhaps a "vow").

Proverbs 7:14

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KJV: I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

Hebrew: זבחי שלמים עלי היום שלמתי נדרי׃

Greek: θυσια ειρηνικη μοι εστιν σημερον αποδιδωμι τας ευχας μου

Latin: victimas pro salute debui hodie reddidi vota mea

Spanish: Sacrificios de paz había prometido; hoy he pagado mis votos;