Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

[GrowingPains]

What does it mean to you?

Does this represent the Jews and Gentiles?

In the end, everyone had been invited, but only a few were permitted to stay for the wedding. In other words, is it that everyone is called, but some people refuse the invitation and are not chosen? The call of grace is for everyone, and we've all been invited, but just the invitation isn't enough, the person has responsibility in this to be appropriately received.

I've heard Calvinists hijack this verse. One commentator says that the word "many" means "most" -- so "most are invited, but some aren't chosen."

[Michael The Disciple]

Many but not all are called.

26: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1 Cor. 1:26

Not everyone is called.

48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48

Out of those who are called not all of them will be chosen.

4: Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rev. 3:4-5

Only the overcomers will be finally saved.

[RevDWW]

I think it might relate to the King, having a feast for his Son, sending his servants to invite all they can find, some choose to attend others make excuses.

Mat 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
Mat 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
Mat 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Mat 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Mat 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
Mat 22:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
Mat 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Mat 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
Mat 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

[Sam]

The "chosen" are the "elect"


One preacher said:

"Who are the elect? The whosoever wills.
Who are the non-elect? The whosoever wont's"

[Sam]

called, chosen and faithful

or


cold, frozen and hateful?