I was reading through the book of Matthew and I came across a couple of parables that really stuck out in my head because of the last verses of each parable. Neither full parable made complete sense to me, in both there were parts that were not self-explanatory. The last verses seemed to be the missing puzzle pieces. So I used this mystery for the foundation of my teaching.
Matthew 20:1-16
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.
I could not find any place in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John where Jesus interpreted this parable. In large part the parable is self-explanatory—in the
The other parable in which Jesus Christ says nearly the exact same thing is just two chapters down.
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 fact that the same statement is made twice within three chapters suggests that the distinction is an important one, and this second parable gives us a better idea of what it means. However, this parable is not as seemingly straight forward as the last one was, and we still do not know its full meaning. Though it is clear that those originally invited are the Children of Israel and that those invited off the streets are the Gentiles, the identity of those who are not properly attired remains a mystery. Consequently, the difference between those called and those chosen also remains a mystery. Also, we still cannot tell how the called and chosen fit into the first parable.
The first step to unlocking the meaning of the parables is learning the meaning of these two words. The word used for “called” here is the Greek word kletos, which is a different form of the word kaleo translated “call” and klesis translated “calling”. It means literally “invited” or “appointed”. The word for “chosen” is eklektos, meaning literally “select” and translated as either “chosen” or “elect”. However, we still don’t know exactly what the difference is between being “appointed” and being “elect”. Nor can we be sure what positions we are appointed to or chosen for. The best way to understand a term as the bible uses it is to find other usages of the term in the bible.
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: [7] To all that be in
Called is the same word kletos in both verses, and it’s written to the
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
So all things work for the good of the called, and the called are predestinated, justified, and glorified.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
So the called of God cannot be “uncalled”, which makes perfect sense since they are predestinated in the first place. The called of God are forever justified and glorified.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
We don’t have to do anything to earn our calling. All we have to do is accept the invitation. We don’t have to earn the perks of being called, that is, being beloved of God, all things working toward our good, being predestinated to our calling, being justified, and being glorified.
Col. 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
It is the elect of God that does these things. The called of God doesn’t necessarily have to do anything, but the chosen, or more accurately, the elect of God are holy in addition to being beloved because they actively put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
The elect of God show forth the praises of God who called them.
Luke 18:7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
God certainly will avenge his elect; he will certainly take care of them. Those called who are not the elect of God are in the outer area of the wedding, where, though ultimately things will work for their good, they are trampled in the process because they aren’t in God’s inner wedding. They aren’t in his hedge of protection because they are not in harmony with his will.
So bringing what we’ve learned into the context of the parables, the called are those who come to work in the vineyard, and the ones who attend the wedding. But, the chosen are the ones who work hard as long as they’re employed without grumbling, the chosen are paid first, the chosen make the effort to dress in tails, and enjoy the comfort of the heart of the wedding.
All things ultimately work for the good of the called, but God actively works to protect and avenge the elect, who walk in harmony with his word. The called are beloved of God, predestinated, justified without repentance, and glorified. But the elect are holy, putting on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. One way to look at it is if you are appointed to a position, it is simply given to you. But if you want to be elected to a position, you have to work to earn it.
Philip.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
To get that prize of the high calling, you have to work to earn it; you have to press toward the mark. The calling alone is yours already.
There are a lot of people in this world who accept God and his son Jesus Christ, but don’t act any different than the rest of the world. There are a lot of Christians in a lot of churches who don’t realize their position in Christ. But some of us know our positions well. As elect, we put in the effort. We put on our best outfits, even if they aren’t the most comfortable. We dress the part.
Rev. 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
In the end, whether we are simply called, or chosen as elect, we will all be there with the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. We will all overcome this world together.
Matthew 22:14
Called—kletos “invited, appointed”; called (as a saint)