ἐκλεκτός
eklektos
select
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek lemma ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) is translated as "select." This term appears 24 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the texts. Essentially, ἐκλεκτός emphasizes the idea of being chosen from a group or selected for a particular purpose. In its usage, the word conveys a sense of exclusion and priority. The word ἐκλεκτός is often used to describe individuals or groups chosen by God, such as in the phrase "election" (e.g., Romans 11:7). It also implies a distinction between those who are chosen and those who are not. In some passages, the word is used to describe individuals who possess unique qualities or attributes. The overall effect of ἐκλεκτός is to draw attention to a selected or preferred status, often in contrast to others. Given its frequency and specific usage in the Bible, the concept of being ἐκλεκτός (select) takes on a significant role in conveying the idea of divine favor and selection. Its use highlights the distinction between those chosen and those not, emphasizing the idea that not all individuals or groups are created equal in the eyes of God. This usage also underscores the importance of being chosen or selected for a particular purpose or status.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
24 total occurrences across the text
So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matthew 24:22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:24For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
Matthew 24:31He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Mark 13:20Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.
Mark 13:22For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
Mark 13:27Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
Luke 14:24For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper.’ ”
Luke 18:7Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
Luke 23:35The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
Romans 8:33Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
Romans 16:13Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
1 Timothy 5:21I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
Colossians 3:12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
2 Timothy 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
1 Peter 1:1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1 Peter 2:4coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
1 Peter 2:6Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
2 John 1:1The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2 John 1:13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
Revelation 17:14These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those who are with him are called chosen and faithful.”