Many Are Called

[TheBear]

"For many are called, but few are chosen.", Matt 20:16, Matt 22:14


In both of these verses, there is a completely different context to the story. In Matt 20:16, Jesus is talking about giving the same wage to the person who laboured the least as the one who laboured the most, (longest). In Matt 22:14 Jesus is talking about a person who goes to a king's wedding, and is cast out into the darkness because he did not dress up for the occasion.

These two passages, in their entirety, in context, almost seem to be in contradiction.

Any comments?


John

 

[psalms 22.3]

the first one
where it says "the last shall be first, and the first last, is the same as "he who humbleth himself shall be exalted".
you see that in the 3rd hour he went to men and offered them a chance to work it doesnt say they agreed but "went their way" i think this means they refused.
and in the end you see the original workers getting angry and proud and he told them to "go their way"
i think this means he told them to leave.
many are called, few a chosen.
there were few willing and humble and obedient in this story.
(thats what i think it means anyway)

the second one
in those days, sometimes garments were provided for all the guests. and it was an insult of the highest degree not to were that garment.
we read of his first choices refusing, and then he sent people into the streets to gather common people, good and bad, not rich fancy people. we could probly say these were poorer people.
supporting that he supplied the garments for them.
it does say that he "PREPARED IT, MADE IT READY, FURNISHED IT"
simply supporting that did supply them garments.

the person refused to were the garment insulting him deeply.
the first people refused his offer and killed his servants.

many are called few are chosen.
this isnt the story of a poor man being rejected by god.
its a story of men insulting gods provision and offerings.
few are chosen, few are willing and obedient.

i think these 2 fit together just fine.
they both consist of people being unwilling, disobedient or proud.
we see him calling many, but few obeying, so there are few for him to bring to salvation.

 

[TheBear]

PS 22,

I'm not sure I see the same thing as you do regarding Matt 20. In my Bible, it basiclly says that there were different workers who started work in the vineyards, at different times throughout the day, yet all got paid, (rewarded), the same, and that the last ones to work were the first ones to be paid. The ones who started work earlier in the day complained about the situation, but they still got paid.


John

 

[psalms 22.3]

it does not say clearly say the people in the 3rd hour went to work, but "went their way"
this could mean they did, but it could also means they didnt.

it doesnt say the ones who started last got paid first, (i dont remember that anyway) but when they did get paid the first workers gripped about it.
it was about pride, they felt they deserved more.

 

[TheBear]

PS 22,

Here, let me help you.....

Matt 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius 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 to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

See, the landowner went into town at different times of the day and hired some workers each time. As far as sending some away, after the workers who started earlier in the day complained about the situation, they did get paid, then were told to go their way, (v14).
And, the last to start work were the first to get paid, (v8&9).

John

 

[psalms 22.3]

hmmm
friend you are correct.

 

[VeraciousMaven]

So does this fall back to the 'God will give mercy upon who He gives mercy, and punish who he punishes?' (or in this case reward less to who he will reward less?)

 

[TheBear]

I'm still not sure how the, "For many are called, but few are chosen.", phrase ties into this.

John

 

[TheBear]

VeraciousMaven,

It appears they all got rewarded the same.

John

 

[psalms 22.3]

in one story
a man clearly insulted a king and was cast out.
he was called, yet was not chosen, because he didnt obey.

in the other story,
the owner of the vineyard was calling people to come work.
yet it states "many are called, few are chosen"

it is not saying he calls people to god, yet refuses some.
it is clear that the bible teaches that all who hearken unto the voice of god and obey will find god!
nock and the door will be opened, ask and you shall receive.
it is his will that all men be saved.
only those who refuse to listen, or refuse to obey are ever cast away.

 

[truthseeker]

This may (or may not) shed some light. Several years ago, I heard a teaching that seemed to make some sense concerning the verse, "Many are called, but few are chosen." The literal translation for this was said to be: "Many are called, but few choose."

 

[man in the box]

Matthew 20.16 "for many are called but few chosen." this phrase is only in the KJV and NKJV so it must only be in the Received Text. The NIV and CEV do not have this phrase which use a different Greek text (sorry can't remember the text).
The Matthew 20 parable starts by saying the kingdom of heaven. When the kingdom of heaven is mentioned by Christ He is talking about God's dealings with Israel. I think what this parable is getting at is that God's kingdom is avaliable whether you have been saved for 80 years or 8 minutes. Doesn't matter how long you labor heaven is the reward.
The Matthew 22 passage again says the kingdom of heaven refrencing God's dealings with Israel. Israel rejects God so God offers His plan to all people not just Israel.
The man without the garments in the banquet I believe the so called Christians who fill churches who have never experienced the new birth but are "Christians" by birth, tradition or socialization.
"For many are invited, but few are chosen." Hyper Calvinists like to use this as another example of Sovereign Grace but I think it goes back to the responsibility of man to choose. Much like the man who chose not to put on the nice garments of the king in so he was cast out.
Take care.
PS Hey John this really is a much better board.

 

[TheBear]

I knew you would like it better.

John

 

[TheBear]

I still don't get the 'choose' aspect of Matt 20. All who were offered work, accepted it. And, all were paid the same.

John