Called or Chosen

How does the Bible differentiate between those that are called versus chosen? Let's examine.

I’m sure many of us have read the passage found in Matthew 22:14: For many are called, but few are chosen. But have you ever looked at it a little more closely to see whether or not you see yourself as someone who is called or chosen? Also by looking a little closer at this passage, you will also discover that it sheds light on a number of other passages in the Bible; particularly when it comes to the events of the great tribulation and judgment day.

Many^4183 (Polus - AV-many 210, much 73, great 59, misc 23; 365)

Matthew 22:14 For many^4183 are called^2822, but few^3641 are chosen^1588.

Mt 4:25 And there followed him great^4183 multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many^4183 there be which go in thereat:

Mt 7:22 Many^4183 will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many^4183 wonderful works?

Mt 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many^4183 publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Mt 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous^4183, but the laborers are few^3641;

Mt 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many^4183 prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Mt 19:30 But many^4183 that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Mt 24:5 For many^4183 shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mt 24:10 And then shall many^4183 be offended^4624, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Luk 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended^4624 in me.

Mt 24:11 And many^4183 false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many^4183.

Mt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love^26 of many^4183 shall wax cold.

1Jo 5:3 For this is the love^26 of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Mt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many^4183 for the remission of sins.

Mr 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many^4183.

Act 19:18 And many^4183 that believed^4100 came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.

Lu 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe^4100, and in time of temptation fall away.

1Co 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many^4183 adversaries.

2Co 2:17 For we are not as many^4183, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Ja 3:1 My brethren, be not many^4183 masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2Pe 2:2 And many^4183 shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many^4183 antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many^4183 false prophets are gone out into the world.

Re 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many^4183 peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Called^2822 (Kletos - AV-called 11; 11)

Matthew 22:14: For many^4183 are called^2822, but few^3641 are chosen^1588.

Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called^2822 to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Ro 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called^2822 to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called^2822 according to his purpose.

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called^2822, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Re 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^2822, and chosen^1588, and faithful.

Few^3641 (Oligos - AV-few 14, (a) little 7, small 5, few things 4, almost + 1722 2, a while 2, misc 9; 43)

Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few^3641 there be that find it.

Mt 15:34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few^3641 little fishes.

Mr 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few^3641 sick folk, and healed them.

Lu 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few^3641 that be saved? And he said unto them…

2Co 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little^3641 had no lack.

1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few^3641, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Re 3:4 Thou hast a few^3641 names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Chosen^1588 (Eklektos - AV-elect 16, chosen 7; 23)

Ti 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect^1588, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

1Pe 1:2 Elect^1588 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen^1588 generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

2Jo 1:1 The elder unto the elect^1588 lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

Conclusion. It appears that a person can be called and identified with the body of Christ and God may even speak of the blood of Christ as being shed for them. However, unless that person was chosen (predestinated) by God to salvation, he or she is still identified with the many that are still unsaved within the corporate church.