Lexical Summary eklogé: Election, choice, selection Original Word: ἐκλογή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chosen, election. From eklegomai; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely) -- chosen, election. see GREEK eklegomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1589 eklogḗ (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, selection out of and to a given outcome; (theologically) election. See 1586 (eklegomai). [1589 /eklogḗ ("divine selection") occurs seven times in the Greek NT. The cognate verb 1586 /eklégomai ("select, choose out") occurs 22 times "and is always in the Greek middle voice" (DNTT, 1, 538).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eklegó Definition a (divine) selection NASB Translation choice (4), choosing (1), chosen (1), those who were chosen (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1589: ἐκλογήἐκλογή, ἐκλογῆς, ἡ (ἐκλέγω), election, choice; a. the act of picking out, choosing: σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς (the genitive of quality; cf. Winers Grammar, § 34, 3 b.; (Buttmann, 161 (140f))), equivalent to ἐκλεκτόν, namely, τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 9:15; specifically used of that act of God's free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons; — ἡ κατ' ἐκλογήν προφεσις, the decree made from choice (A. V. the purpose according to election, cf. Winer's Grammar, 193 (182)), Romans 9:11 (cf. Fritzsche at the passage, p. 298ff); — particularly that by which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ, Romans 11:28; κατ' ἐκλογήν χάριτος, according to an election which is due to grace, or a gracious election, Romans 11:5; with the genitive of the person elected, 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:10. b. the thing or person chosen: equivalent to ἐκλεκτοί, Romans 11:7. (Plato, Aristotle, Polybius, Diodorus, Josephus, Dionysius Halicarnassus, others.) Strong’s Greek 1589 designates the divine “choice” or “election” that expresses God’s sovereign initiative in salvation history and in personal calling. Its seven New Testament occurrences span Luke’s record of Saul’s conversion, Paul’s exposition in Romans and 1 Thessalonians, and Peter’s pastoral exhortation, revealing a unified testimony: election is rooted in God’s grace, advances His redemptive purpose for both Israel and the nations, and summons believers to holiness, assurance, and mission. Scope of Usage in the New Testament 1. National-historic: Romans 9:11; 11:5, 7, 28. The contexts move from God’s corporate choice of a people to His individual commissioning of servants and His call for believers to confirm that choice through godly living. Salvation History and Israel Romans 9–11 is the densest cluster. Paul addresses the apparent tension between Israel’s widespread unbelief and the irrevocable promises made to the patriarchs. • Romans 9:11 affirms that Jacob was preferred to Esau “in order that God’s plan of election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls.” The flow underscores that divine election guarantees a remnant inside ethnic Israel and secures the future restoration of that nation, preserving the continuity of Scripture’s storyline from Abraham through the new covenant. Assurance for the Church Paul writes to recent converts in Thessalonica: “Brothers who are loved by God, we know that He has chosen you” (1 Thessalonians 1:4). Their reception of the word “in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (verse 5) evidenced God’s electing grace. Here election is pastorally employed to stabilize young believers amid persecution, grounding their identity not in fluctuating circumstances but in God’s unchanging purpose. Ethical Implications of Calling Peter exhorts seasoned saints: “Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). The imperative links doctrinal certainty with moral diligence. Growth in virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (verses 5-7) demonstrates that election is never a license for passivity but a catalyst for holiness. Failure to add these graces blinds a believer to the cleansing already received (verse 9), showing that neglect of holy living clouds assurance, not the fact of divine choice. Missional Application At Paul’s conversion the risen Christ tells Ananias, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Election here appoints a specific task: global proclamation. Paul’s life illustrates that God’s choice may involve suffering (Acts 9:16) but ultimately serves the spread of the gospel among all peoples. Theological Reflections on Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility The various contexts harmonize God’s unilateral grace with accountable response: • Election precedes works (Romans 9:11) yet does not negate the call to faith (Romans 11:23). Thus Scripture avoids fatalism and moralism alike, presenting divine choice as the fountainhead of salvation and sanctification. Pastoral and Practical Applications 1. Comfort: Believers facing trials rest in God’s unalterable purpose (Romans 8:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 1:4). Historical Reception From Augustine through the Reformers to contemporary evangelical theology, ekloge has shaped doctrines of predestination and perseverance. While debates concerning the mechanics of election continue, historic orthodoxy agrees that salvation is initiated by God, grounded in Christ, and applied by the Spirit, leading to transformed lives and global witness. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 1589 threads through Scripture to display a coherent biblical vision: the God who graciously chooses also faithfully preserves and powerfully commissions. The doctrine safeguards the unity of the Testaments, secures the believer’s hope, spurs ethical maturity, and energizes the Church’s mission until the full number of both remnant Israel and redeemed nations stand together in consummated grace. Englishman's Concordance Acts 9:15 N-GFSGRK: ὅτι σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς ἐστίν μοι NAS: to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument KJV: he is a chosen vessel unto me, INT: for a vessel of choice is to me Romans 9:11 N-AFS Romans 11:5 N-AFS Romans 11:7 N-NFS Romans 11:28 N-AFS 1 Thessalonians 1:4 N-AFS 2 Peter 1:10 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1589 |
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