The phrase “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14) signifies that while God extends an invitation for salvation and relationship to many people, only a select few respond and live according to His will. It reflects the idea that acceptance and obedience to God’s call are essential for being among the chosen.
Scripture
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,
2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,
3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”
5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,
6 The rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.
10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.
12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.
13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
“Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen” Meaning
The phrase “many are called, but few are chosen,” found in Matthew 22:14, encapsulates a profound theological principle about divine calling and human response. In the context of the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus illustrates how God invites all to partake in His kingdom—symbolized by the wedding feast—but not everyone accepts the invitation or lives in accordance with the expectations of the kingdom. This reflects a broader biblical theme found in other verses, such as Luke 13:23-24, where Jesus stresses the need to strive to enter through the narrow door, highlighting that while the call to salvation is universal, the participation in the fullness of the kingdom depends on one’s response.
The distinction between the “called” and the “chosen” emphasizes the importance of personal commitment and obedience. It suggests that merely receiving the invitation is insufficient; one must also cultivate faith and produce good fruit, as seen in John 15:16, where Jesus states, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” This idea is echoed in the writings of Paul, where he encourages believers to live worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1). Ultimately, the phrase serves as a reminder that God’s grace is abundant, but the responsibility lies with individuals to respond wholeheartedly to His call, committing themselves to a transformed life that aligns with His will.
The concept of being “called” versus being “chosen” can be seen throughout Scripture, illustrating a divine invitation that demands a genuine human response. In the context of the Old Testament, we observe a similar theme in the lives of the Israelites. God called them as His chosen people, highlighting His sovereign choice, yet this calling came with expectations of loyalty and adherence to His commandments. The pattern continues in the New Testament, where Jesus addresses the crowds, indicating that many hear the gospel message, but not all respond in faith. The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) illustrates this reality, as different types of soil represent varying responses to the seed of the word, emphasizing that receptivity and growth are vital for being counted among the truly chosen.
Moreover, the dichotomy of the “called” and the “chosen” can lead to a call for perseverance and faithfulness in various New Testament writings. In Revelation 17:14, we see the interplay between those who are called and the chosen ones who follow the Lamb faithfully, suggesting that commitment and perseverance are integral to this distinction. This reinforces the idea that while God’s invitation to relationship and redemption is extended broadly, an individual’s faithful response in trials and tribulations ultimately determines their standing as part of the chosen. Such themes encourage believers to cultivate a deeper, ongoing relationship with God, actively responding to His grace and engaging in the work He has prepared for them, thus aligning themselves with the divine purpose behind their calling.
The Nature of Divine Invitation
The phrase “many are called, few are chosen” reflects the idea that God’s invitation to salvation and a relationship with Him is extended to all people. This divine call signifies God’s desire for everyone to come to Him, emphasizing His grace and mercy. However, the distinction between the “called” and the “chosen” suggests that not everyone responds to this invitation in a way that leads to a transformative relationship. This invites reflection on the nature of human free will and the importance of actively accepting and responding to God’s call.
The Challenge of True Discipleship
Another broader meaning of this phrase pertains to the challenges associated with true discipleship. While many may express interest in following God or participating in religious life, the journey of discipleship requires commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance. The “few who are chosen” can be understood as those who not only accept the call but also embody the values and teachings of their faith in their daily lives. This highlights the idea that genuine faith is not merely about initial acceptance but involves a deeper, ongoing commitment to living out one’s beliefs.
The Call to Spiritual Vigilance
The distinction between the many who are called and the few who are chosen also serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance. It suggests that while the call to faith is universal, the path to being chosen involves discernment and readiness to respond to God’s will. This can be interpreted as a call for believers to remain alert and engaged in their spiritual lives, continually seeking to align themselves with God’s purpose and to cultivate a deeper understanding of their faith. It emphasizes the importance of being proactive in one’s spiritual journey rather than passively waiting for divine selection.
How to Embrace God’s Call and Live Faithfully
Embracing God’s call and living faithfully is a journey that requires both openness and intentionality. Start by cultivating a deep relationship with God through prayer and scripture, allowing His voice to guide you in your daily life. Reflect on your unique gifts and passions, as these often align with the ways God is calling you to serve others. Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow believers who can encourage you and hold you accountable in your walk of faith. Remember, living faithfully doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges; rather, it’s about trusting God’s plan even when the path seems unclear. As you step out in faith, be assured that God equips those He calls, and every small act of obedience contributes to His greater purpose. Embrace this adventure with a heart full of hope, knowing that you are never alone on this journey.
Bible References to “Many Are Called”:
Matthew 20:1-16: 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.”
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And he said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’
5 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’
9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
10 And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,
12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’
13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first last.
Romans 8:28-30: 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
1 Peter 2:9-10: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Revelation 17:12-14: 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.
13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.
14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
John 15:16-19: 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Ephesians 1:3-14: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14: 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:10-11: 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 55:6-9: 6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;”
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.