the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Choice
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or CHOICE.—In the Gospels, choice is always expressed by one small group of closely connected words, viz. ἐκλέγομαι, ἐκλεκτός, ἐκλογή. And these at once define the nature of the choice, which is not that of ‘decision,’ but that of ‘selection.’ Perhaps the English term which more precisely than any other answers to ἐκλέγειν is to ‘cull,’ to choose here and there one, that is to say, out of a larger number laid out in view. And this force of the word is rather emphasized by the fact that in the NT the active voice of the verb is not employed, but only the middle or passive, with derivatives which are passive in character. It is not, then, the action of choosing which is prominent, but its result; or else the status or nature of that which is chosen. And this point is of some importance in view of the use to which some passages of the NT have been put by those who have attempted to elaborate from them doctrines of election or predestination. Stress is never laid chiefly on the election or predestination of the Almighty, but on the fact that such and such are actually found among those whom God has culled for Himself, and who constitute His own people. It would be an advantage to accurate Christian thought if the rendering ‘elect’ were eliminated from the NT, and were replaced by ‘chosen’ or ‘select,’ although it is a direct derivative of the original.
The central meaning of the terms employed is well shown in the following cases:—‘He marked how they chose out the chief seats’ (Luke 14:7); ‘Mary hath chosen the good part’ (Luke 10:42); ‘He called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles’ (Luke 6:13), with which other passages relating to the choice of the Twelve should be compared, viz. John 6:70; John 15:16; John 15:19; John 13:38, Acts 1:2, and, as essentially the same, Acts 1:24; cf. also 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, James 2:4. A further selection for some special service is indicated in such passages as—‘God made choice among you that by my mouth …’ (Acts 15:7, cf. Acts 6:3; Acts 15:22; Acts 15:25); ‘Many are called, but few chosen’ (Matthew 22:14). And by an almost insensible gradation the use of the word passes on to such instances as the choice of Saul, ‘a chosen vessel’ (Acts 9:15), ‘the Christ of God, his chosen’ (Luke 23:35; cf. Luke 9:35), and the chosen people of God (Acts 13:17, Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:4; 1Pe_2:6; 1Pe_2:9). The last named appear in a group of passages in the Gospels (on the lips of Christ Himself) which are of apocalyptic character, and in all which the English rendering is unfortunately ‘elect’; e.g. ‘Shall not God avenge his chosen?’ (Luke 18:7); ‘For the sake of his chosen whom he chose, he shortened the days’ (Mark 13:20; Mark 13:22; Mark 13:27 || Matthew 24:22; Matthew 24:24; Matthew 24:31). To these there are many similar instances in the Epistles (Romans 8:33; Romans 11:5; Romans 11:7; Romans 11:28, Colossians 3:12, 2 Timothy 2:10, Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1; cf. Revelation 17:14). Individuals are spoken of as chosen (Romans 16:23; 1 Peter 5:13, 2 John 1:13), and also angels (1 Timothy 5:21); while God’s purpose of selection is mentioned (Romans 9:11), and the status of those selected (1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:10).
From the foregoing it is clear that in the Gospels, and in the NT generally, ‘choice’ expresses a selection of some among other alternatives, and commonly selection for some special service; God’s people being selected that they may become His servants who serve Him and so serve all in the furtherance of His purposes of love, rather than on their own account alone. Moreover, God’s choice is always viewed as an actual fact seen in its results, and never as an intention in advance; except perhaps in reference to St. Paul’s apostolate and Jacob’s destiny, both of which are, however, so referred to only when seen in retrospect. See Elect, Freewill.
E. P. Boys-Smith.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Choice'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/c/choice.html. 1906-1918.
