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NASB | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen." |
Bible Question (short): Is God Lord over all except human will |
Question (full): Dear Hank, "The call spoken of here is sometimes referred to as the "general call" of the Gospel, the great "whosoever will" of Revelation 22:17. The call extends to all who hear the Gospel." Question: What of those who never recieve even the general call of the gospel? Of what use is free will if one is not offered the choice? " Many hear it; few respond (See Matthew 7:13,14). In this parable (beginning at verse 1 of Matthew 22) Jesus was emphasizing to the Jewish audience, who considered themselves to be God's chosen people, that the outward call of God was not sufficient for salvation apart from the efficacious call of grace." Efficatious means possessing the quality of being effective; productive of, or powerful to produce, the effect intended; as, an efficacious law. "Here then we see the proper balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty: the "called" who reject the invitation do so willingly, thus there is no injustice in their exclusion from the kingdom. The "chosen" accept the invitation extended solely by the grace of God and not by virtue of their own merit. --Hank" Question: Is it true that Scripture teaches that all men are born condemned already? Is'nt it also true that God would have been justified even if He had chosen to have mercy on none? Your thoughts? |