Lexical Summary eklektos: Chosen, elect Original Word: ἐκλεκτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chosen, elect. From eklegomai; select; by implication, favorite -- chosen, elect. see GREEK eklegomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1588 eklektós (an adjective, derived from 1586 /eklégomai, "to select, choose," also used as a substantive/noun) – properly, selected (chosen from, out of), especially as a deeply personal choice – literally "chosen, out of a personal preference (intention)." See 1586 (eklegomai). Typically, 1588 /eklektós ("select, chosen") describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God's choice by freely receiving faith (4102 /pístis) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Tit 1:1; Lk 18:7,8). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eklegó Definition select, by impl. favorite NASB Translation choice (2), choice man (1), chosen (1), chosen (9), chosen one (1), elect (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1588: ἐκλεκτόςἐκλεκτός, ἐκλεκτή, ἐκλεκτόν (ἐκλέγω), picked out, chosen; rare in Greek writ:, as Thucydides 6, 100; Plato, legg. 11, p. 938 b.; 12, 948 a., etc.; the Sept. for בָּחוּר and בָּחִיר; in the N. T. 1. chosen by God, and a. to obtain salvation through Christ (see ἐκλέγω); hence, Christians are called οἱ ἐκλεκτοί τοῦ Θεοῦ, the chosen or elect of God (cf. Winer's Grammar, 35 (34); 234 (219)), (יְהוָה בְּחִירֵי, said of pious Israelites Isaiah 65:9, 15, 23; Psalm 104:43 b. The Messiah is called preeminently ὁ ἐκλεκτός τοῦ Θεοῦ, as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable: Luke 23:35, cf. Luke 9:35 L marginal reading T Tr WH; cf. Dillmann, Das Buch Henoch (übers.u.erkhärt;allgem.Einl.), p. 23: c. Angels are called ἐκλεκτοί, as those whom God has chosen out from other created beings to be peculiarly associated with him, and his highest ministers in governing the universe: 1 Timothy 5:21; see ἅγιος, 1 b.; μαρτύρομαι δέ ἐγώ μέν ὑμῶν τά ἅγια καί τούς ἱερούς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ, Josephus, b. j. 2, 16, 4 under the end; (yet others explain by 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; cf. Ellicott on 1 Timothy, the passage cited). 2. universally, choice, select, i. e. the best of its kind or class, excellent, preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians, 2 John 1:1, 13; with ἐν κυρίῳ added, eminent as a Christian (see ἐν, I. 6 b.), Romans 16:13; of things: λίθος, 1 Peter 2:4 (6) (Isaiah 28:16; 2 Esdr. 5:8; Enoch, chapter 8 Greek text, Dillmann edition, p. 82f). The word rendered “chosen” or “elect” appears twenty-three times, spanning the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline and Petrine Epistles, and Revelation. Its distribution shows three primary horizons: first, Jesus Christ Himself as the Father’s uniquely chosen Servant; second, the corporate people of God gathered in Christ; and third, select angelic beings who stand in God’s presence (1 Timothy 5:21). Divine Election and Covenant Continuity Election is never presented as an abstract notion but as the outworking of God’s covenant purposes. What began with Israel as “a people for His own possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6) is carried forward in the church, described in 1 Peter 2:9 as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession”. The term therefore bridges Old and New Covenants, underscoring the single redemptive storyline. Christ, the Chosen Cornerstone Four occurrences highlight Jesus Himself: Luke 23:35, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:6 and 1 Peter 2:9. He is the “cornerstone, chosen and precious” (1 Peter 2:6). All subsequent references to believers as “chosen” derive their meaning from union with this Cornerstone. Election is Christ-centered before it is church-centered. The Elect Community in the Present Age 1 Peter addresses believers dispersed in five Roman provinces as “chosen” (1 Peter 1:1), reminding them that persecution does not nullify divine favor. Colossians 3:12 grounds ethical exhortation in identity: “Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion…”. Titus 1:1 situates apostolic ministry “for the faith of God’s elect,” indicating that teaching and pastoral oversight serve to nurture this community. Pastoral Comfort and Assurance Romans 8:33 asks, “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies”. The term functions apologetically against condemnation and pastorally against despair, assuring believers that their standing rests on divine initiative, not human merit. Intercession and Perseverance Luke 18:7 speaks of God bringing justice “for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night.” Persistent prayer is encouraged by the certainty of God’s attentiveness to His elect. Likewise, 2 Timothy 2:10 shows Paul enduring hardship “for the sake of the elect,” linking missionary perseverance to the certainty that some will believe. Eschatological Protection and Vindication Jesus employs the term in His Olivet discourse: “For the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22) and “He will send out His angels… and they will gather His elect” (Matthew 24:31). Revelation 17:14 promises ultimate victory: “Those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.” Election guarantees both preservation amid tribulation and final triumph with the Lamb. Angelic Election 1 Timothy 5:21 speaks of “the chosen angels,” reminding the church that divine selection extends to the heavenly host. Their presence in Paul’s charge lends solemnity to ecclesiastical discipline. Historical Reflection Early church fathers invoked the language of election to bolster holiness and unity; Augustine used it to articulate grace; the Reformers applied it to soteriology; evangelical missions have seen in it a spur to evangelize, confident that God has a people yet to be gathered. Ministry Application • Identity: Ground discipleship in the believer’s status as chosen in Christ. Summary The twenty-three New Testament occurrences of Strong’s Greek 1588 present election as God’s sovereign, gracious choice embodied in Christ, extended to His people, and consummated in eschatological glory. Far from speculative, the doctrine energizes prayer, holiness, mission, and hope. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 20:16 Adj-NMPGRK: ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί KJV: but few chosen. INT: few however chosen Matthew 22:14 Adj-NMP Matthew 24:22 Adj-AMP Matthew 24:24 Adj-AMP Matthew 24:31 Adj-AMP Mark 13:20 Adj-AMP Mark 13:22 Adj-AMP Mark 13:27 Adj-AMP Luke 18:7 Adj-GMP Luke 23:35 Adj-NMS Romans 8:33 Adj-GMP Romans 16:13 Adj-AMS Colossians 3:12 Adj-NMP 1 Timothy 5:21 Adj-GMP 2 Timothy 2:10 Adj-AMP Titus 1:1 Adj-GMP 1 Peter 1:1 Adj-DMP 1 Peter 2:4 Adj-AMS 1 Peter 2:6 Adj-AMS 1 Peter 2:9 Adj-NNS 2 John 1:1 Adj-DFS 2 John 1:13 Adj-GFS Revelation 17:14 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 1588 |
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