Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called,...

[God_Owned]

"...but few chosen"

Any thoughts?

From Andrew Wommack Commentary on Matthew 20:16

"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

Note 3 at Mt. 20:16: The use of the word "chosen" here does not mean that God has limited salvation to only a select few.

Salvation is a free gift to everyone (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:13; Ti. 2:11; Rev. 22:17), but not everyone will be saved (Mt. 7:13-14). This is not because God is unwilling to save some (2 Pet. 3:9) but rather because some are not willing to repent and receive salvation God's way (Acts 4:12). Therefore, God calls all to repentance but only chooses those for salvation who meet the conditions of Romans 10:9.

From The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible Commentary on Matthew 20:16

"So the last shall be first, and the first last…"

As he had asserted in (Matthew 19:30) and which is clearly illustrated by this parable, as it may be applied to Jews or Gentiles, or to nominal and real Christians:

"...for many be called;"

externally, under the ministration of the Gospel, as the Jews in general were, by Christ and his apostles; but few chosen;

in Christ from all eternity, both to grace and glory; and in consequence, and as an evidence of it, but few among the Jews; as also in the Gentile world, comparatively speaking: and even but a few of those that are outwardly called, are inwardly and effectually called by the powerful grace of God, out of darkness into marvellous light, into the grace and liberty of the Gospel, into communion with Christ, and to the obtaining his kingdom and glory, according to the eternal purpose of God. It is a saying of R. Simeon ben Jochai F4

``I have seen the children of the world to come (elsewhere F5 it is, of the chamber), (Nyjewm Nhw) , "and they are few".''

Though he vainly thought, that if those few were but two, they were himself and his son.

 

[psalms 91]

Yes, study the Bride of Christ. This has been used for people called to certain ministries and is true of that but like all scripture it has many meanings. Scripture is like an onion that you keep peeling layer upon layer from. If you look at the Bride of Christ it is easy to see that many are not included, a bride has an intimate personal knowledge of her groom and so it shall be with the Bride of Christ.

 

[irenemcg]

Re the chosen--Was it not the case that Jesus was speaking here of the difficulty that many experience in believing and obeying the gospel because their minds are fixed on what they can get for themselves, whether in this world and they are not interested in eternity?

 

[FatherRick]

The following is taken from 2 different commentaries.

14. For many are called, but few are chosen. "The many called" embrace all who hear the gospel; the whole Jewish nation, and the Gentiles of every land where the gospel is preached. The chosen are those who choose to accept.

22:14 For many are called, but few chosen1.

1. For many are called, but few chosen. Many guests are invited, but few are accepted; because some neglect and despise the invitation, and others cast dishonor upon the one who invites, by the self-willed and irreverent way in which they accept his invitation. In this parable the first parties invited represent the Jews; the city of murderers is Jerusalem; the persons called from the highways are the Gentiles; the entrance of the king is the coming of the Lord to final judgment; and the man without the wedding-garment is anyone who will be found in the church without a suitable character. The character of Christ is our wedding-garment, and all the regenerated must wear it (John 3:5 Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:10; Revelation 19:8,9).

1. In light of the parables Jesus is teaching in that passage, a Greek professor I know translates that verse this way: "Many are called but few choose their calling".

 

[Optimax]

When a person hears the Gospel abour Jesus they are called.

When a person accepts Jesus and is born again according to Rom 10: 9-10 they are chosen.