Lexical Summary eklegó: To choose, select, elect Original Word: ἐκλέγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make choice, choose, chosen. Middle voice from ek and lego (in its primary sense); to select -- make choice, choose (out), chosen. see GREEK ek see GREEK lego HELPS Word-studies 1586 eklégomai (from 1537 /ek, "out of" and 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, to select (choose) out of, by a highly deliberate choice (i.e. real heart-preference) with a definite outcome (as with the destination of divine selection for salvation). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and legó (in the sense of pick up) Definition to select NASB Translation choose (4), chose (7), chosen (8), made a choice (1), picking (1), select (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1586: ἐκλέγωἐκλέγω: perfect passive participle ἐκλελεγμένος, once in Luke 9:35 L marginal reading T Tr WH; middle, imperfect ἐξελεγομην (Luke 14:7); 1 aorist ἐξελεξάμην; in Greek writings from Herodotus down; the Sept. for בָּחַר; to pick out, choose; in the N. T. (except Luke 9:35, where the reading is doubtful) always middle, ἐκλέγομαι, to pick or choose out for oneself: τί, Luke 10:42; Luke 14:7; τινα, one from among many (of Jesus choosing his disciples), John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:16; Acts 1:2; ἀπό τινων, from a number of persons (Sir. 45:16), Luke 6:13: ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου, John 15:19; used of choosing one for an office, Acts 6:5; followed by ἐκ τινων, Acts 1:24; to discharge some business, Acts 15:22, 25; ἐν ἡμῖν (others ὑμῖν) ἐξελέξατο ὁ Θεός, followed by the accusative and infinitive denoting the end, God made choice among us i. e. in our ranks, Acts 15:7, where formerly many, misled by the Hebrew בְּ בָּחַר (1 Samuel 16:9; 1 Kings 8:16, etc., and the Sept. of these passages), wrongly regarded ἐν ἡμῖν as the object on which the mind of the chooser was as it were fixed; (Winers Grammar, § 32, 3 a.; Buttmann, 159 (138)). Especially is God said ἐκλέξασθαι those whom he has judged fit to receive his favors and separated from the rest of mankind to be peculiarly his own and to be attended continually by his gracious oversight: thus of the Israelites, Acts 13:17 (Deuteronomy 14:2 (cf. Deuteronomy 4:37); 2 Macc. 5:19); of Christians, as those whom he has set apart from among the irreligious multitude as dear unto himself, and whom he has rendered, through faith in Christ, citizens in the Messianic kingdom: Mark 13:20; 1 Corinthians 1:27f; with two accusatives, one of the object, the other of the predicate (Winer's Grammar, § 32, 4 b.), James 2:5; τινα ἐν Χριστῷ, so that the ground of the choice lies in Christ and his merits, followed by the accusative with an infinitive denoting the end, Ephesians 1:4. In Luke 9:35 L marginal reading T Tr WH Jesus is called ὁ υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ ἐκλελεγμένος (R G L text ἀγαπητός), as being dear to God beyond all others and exalted by him to the preeminent dignity of Messiah; but see ἐκλεκτός, 1 b. Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage The verb rendered “to choose” appears twenty-two times in the Greek New Testament. It is concentrated in Luke–Acts (thirteen occurrences), the Gospel of John (five), the Pauline letters (three), and James (one). Whether the subject is the Father, the Son, the apostles, or the church, every occurrence underscores God’s gracious initiative and purposeful selection for service, salvation, or special care. Chosen Son and Servant Luke 9:35 records the Father’s declaration at the transfiguration: “This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!”. The wording recalls Isaiah’s Servant prophecy (Isaiah 42:1), linking Jesus with the promised Servant who brings justice and salvation. The divine voice affirms that Jesus is the ultimate Elect One, the standard by which every other instance of choosing must be understood. Jesus’ Appointment of Apostles and Disciples When dawn broke on the mountainside, “He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles” (Luke 6:13). The same sovereign initiative appears after the resurrection: “until the day He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen” (Acts 1:2). John preserves the Lord’s personal emphasis: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16; cf. 6:70; 13:18; 15:19). His choice commissions, empowers, and obligates the Twelve—and, by extension, every believer called to gospel service. Election and Salvation Paul lifts the concept into eternity: “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence” (Ephesians 1:4). The Corinthian correspondence stresses the upside-down priorities of grace: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). James echoes the same mercy toward the marginalized: “Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith?” (James 2:5). In each passage, election magnifies divine grace, humbles human pride, and produces holy living. Selection within the Church The first congregation practiced Spirit-guided selection. Seven men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” were chosen for diaconal ministry (Acts 6:5). Later, the Jerusalem Council sent “chosen men” with their letter of decision (Acts 15:22, 25). These texts show that while God’s choice is ultimate, the church actively discerns, confirms, and commissions servants. God’s Choice of Israel and His Global Mission Stephen’s historical survey reminds his hearers that “the God of this people Israel chose our fathers” (Acts 13:17). God’s electing purpose begins with Abraham’s line and culminates in blessing every nation through the Messiah and His witnesses (Acts 15:7). Divine election is therefore missional, not tribal. Eschatological Mercy toward the Elect In Mark’s apocalyptic discourse Jesus promises, “for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has shortened” the tribulation days (Mark 13:20). The coming trials will be intense, yet God’s prior choice guarantees preservation and ultimate vindication. Human Responsibility within Divine Choice Acts 1:24 offers a model prayer: “Lord… show us which of these two You have chosen.” Though God’s decision is final, believers petition for clear guidance and then act. Likewise, Martha learns that “Mary has chosen the good portion” (Luke 10:42), illustrating that human response is essential within the sovereign plan. Historical and Pastoral Insight Early Christian writers recognized that election was neither fatalistic nor elitist; it produced humility, holiness, and sacrificial mission. The church fathers cited these verses to encourage martyrs, to oppose spiritual pride, and to defend the universal offer of the gospel. Practical Applications for Believers 1. Assurance: God’s choice precedes human merit and secures believers in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). Together, these passages reveal a consistent biblical pattern: the Lord freely chooses people and means, for His glory and their good, calling them to faith, holiness, and fruitful ministry in the world. Forms and Transliterations εκλεγέντες εκλέγεσθαι εκλέγεται εκλεγώσι εκλελεγμένοι εκλελεγμενος ἐκλελεγμένος εκλέλεκται έκλεξαι εκλεξαμενοις ἐκλεξαμένοις εκλεξαμενος εκλεξάμενος ἐκλεξάμενος εκλεξαμενους εκλεξαμένους ἐκλεξαμένους εκλέξασθαι εκλέξασθε εκλεξάσθωσαν εκλέξεται εκλέξη εκλέξηται εκλέξομαι εκλέξω εκλέξωμαι εκλέξωνται εξελεγοντο εξελέγοντο ἐξελέγοντο εξελεξαμην εξελεξάμην ἐξελεξάμην εξελεξαντο εξελέξαντο ἐξελέξαντο εξελεξασθε εξελέξασθε ἐξελέξασθε εξελεξατο εξελέξατο εξελέξατό εξέλεξατο ἐξελέξατο εξελεξω εξελέξω ἐξελέξω eklelegmenos eklelegménos eklexamenois eklexaménois eklexamenos eklexámenos eklexamenous eklexaménous exelegonto exelégonto exelexamen exelexamēn exelexámen exelexámēn exelexanto exeléxanto exelexasthe exeléxasthe exelexato exeléxato exelexo exelexō exeléxo exeléxōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 13:20 V-AIM-3SGRK: ἐκλεκτοὺς οὓς ἐξελέξατο ἐκολόβωσεν τὰς NAS: whom He chose, He shortened KJV: whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened INT: elect whom he chose he has shortened the Luke 6:13 V-APM-NMS Luke 9:35 V-RPM/P-NMS Luke 10:42 V-AIM-3S Luke 14:7 V-IIM-3P John 6:70 V-AIM-1S John 13:18 V-AIM-1S John 15:16 V-AIM-2P John 15:16 V-AIM-1S John 15:19 V-AIM-1S Acts 1:2 V-AIM-3S Acts 1:24 V-AIM-2S Acts 6:5 V-AIM-3P Acts 13:17 V-AIM-3S Acts 15:7 V-AIM-3S Acts 15:22 V-APM-AMP Acts 15:25 V-APM-DMP 1 Corinthians 1:27 V-AIM-3S 1 Corinthians 1:27 V-AIM-3S 1 Corinthians 1:28 V-AIM-3S Ephesians 1:4 V-AIM-3S James 2:5 V-AIM-3S Strong's Greek 1586 |
    |