Many are Called, but Few are Chosen
There are two passages of scripture in which the subject phrase is found:
1. Matt. 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Matt. 22:1 “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 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. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 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.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 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. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 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. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The calling and choosing that took place in the above passages was not the same election and calling to glory of God’s people in the covenant of redemption. We know it is a different calling and choosing for the following reasons:
1. In the covenant of redemption, all that are elected before the foundation of the world are called into Spiritual life. There is an equality of numbers in all five actions in the covenant of redemption. The same ones that God foreknew are also predestinated, called, justified, and glorified.
2. In the covenant of redemption, the election took place before the calling. They were elected and then called, not the other way around. In the above passages of scripture, the calling takes place before the choosing.
3. In the covenant of redemption, the one doing the calling is God. In the above passages of scripture, the ones doing the calling are the servants of God.
4. In the passage in Matthew chapter 22, the servants were to “call” the “bidden” to the wedding feast. The Greek word for “call” and “bidden” is the same word, “kaleo.” In other words, the servants were to “call” the “called.” This is what happens in the gospel call to the children of God to take up their cross and press into the Kingdom of God. The children of God are called by God into spiritual life. Once they are born of the Spirit, then they are capable of responding to the gospel call to service.
5. In the passage in Matthew chapter 20, the steward was to call the laborers and give them their hire. They were already laborers in the Kingdom of God, but because some were proud and greedy and jealous, they were not chosen to continue on in the blessings of service in the kingdom here in time.
In conclusion, the gospel call to service does not make one a child of God. But rather it calls those who are already children of God to enter into the gospel kingdom and to serve the Lord in his kingdom and to worship God in Spirit and in truth. Many of God’s children hear the gospel call, but of that many few are chosen because of obedience to uphold that service.