The Elect is a significant concept found in the Bible, indicating chosen individuals or groups by God for a special purpose or relationship. The term originates from the Greek word ‘eklektos,’ which means to choose or to select. It appears variously in the Old and New Testaments and sheds light on the divine purposes of God for mankind, His sovereignty, and the special role individuals or groups play in the fulfillment of His plans.
Who Are The Elect According to The Bible?
The Bible refers to the elect in several ways: as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. These terms often denote Israel, as God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. The elect also includes kings, prophets, or priests chosen for service. In the New Testament, the elect commonly refers to followers of Jesus Christ, who God has chosen out of the world for salvation, and set apart for a covenant relationship and service.
What Does The Bible Teach About Election?
Election, in the Biblical context, signifies God’s unilateral choice where He chooses some for a particular purpose based on His will and plan. It is seen as an act of divine love and grace, underscoring the initiative of God. God’s election is irrevocable, indicating His faithfulness and unchanging nature. While some may view election as favoritism or predestination, the Bible depicts it as a manifestation of God’s sovereignty and purposeful plan. The doctrine of election no way negates human responsibility or free will; instead, it works in tandem with them.
Why Does God Elect Individuals or Groups?
God elects individuals or groups for specific tasks or relationships, often related to His redemptive plan for humanity. For instance, Israel was elected to be God’s covenant people, through whom He would reveal Himself to the world and bring about salvation. Similarly, kings, prophets, and priests were chosen to lead, prophesy, or mediate on behalf of God’s people. In the New Testament, believers in Christ are elected for salvation and called to live sanctified lives, influencing the world with godly values. It’s important to note that God’s election is not based on any special merit in the chosen, but solely on His mercy, love, and grace.
When Does God’s Election Occur?
The timing of God’s election can seem mysterious, as the Bible teaches that it occurs “before the foundation of the world.” This phrase implies that God’s elective choices take place in His timeless domain and are not based on human actions or decisions. This divine preordination emphasizes the complete sovereignty of God over history and human lives. However, this doesn’t rule out the ongoing aspect of election during human history, where God continues to call and set apart individuals or groups for His purpose.
Where in The Bible Can We Find Passages About The Elect?
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous passages where references to the elect can be found. In books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah, descriptions of Israel as God’s chosen people are abundant. The Gospels and Epistles mention the elect in explaining the new covenant community. Paul’s letters, particularly, expound on the mystery of election and its implications for believers. Revelation also refers to the elect, pointing to their ultimate vindication and glory in the end times. It’s interesting to note that while the term ‘elect’ may not appear in every instance, the underlying concept of election runs as a clear thread throughout the entirety of the Bible.
Below is the full list of bible verses on elect (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Elect
Ephesians 1:4-5
“4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”
Related Themes: Holiness Sovereignty Self Respect Foundation Glorification
Romans 8:29
“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.”
Related Themes: Holiness Sovereignty Omnipotence Suffering
John 6:44
“44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Related Themes: Repentance Sovereignty Salvation Glorification Persecution
Acts 13:48
“48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Voting
Luke 18:7
“7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
Related Themes: Justice Retribution
John 6:37
“37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Perseverance Acceptance Hopelessness Self-Esteem
2 Timothy 1:9
“9 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,”
Related Themes: Holiness Grace Glorification Foundation Voting
Titus 1:1
“1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;”
2 Thessalonians 2:13
“13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
Related Themes: Holiness Glorification Voting Salvation
Romans 8:29-30
“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.”
Related Themes: Holiness Sovereignty Omnipotence Suffering
Ephesians 1:4
“4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Related Themes: Holiness Sovereignty Self Respect Foundation Glorification
1 Peter 1:2
“2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
Related Themes: Holiness Glorification Peace Voting Holy Spirit
Romans 8:33
“33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”
Ephesians 1:11
“11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Complaining Favor Inheritance
Luke 10:22
“22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”
Ephesians 2:8
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
Colossians 3:12
“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
Related Themes: Humility Patience Criticism Kindness Patience
Matthew 24:24
“24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Related Themes: Discernment Earth Deception
John 15:16
“16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Related Themes: Ordination Prayer Voting Identity Asking For Help
1 Peter 1:20
“20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”
Related Themes: Foundation Voting
Romans 8:28-30
“28 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.”
Related Themes: Suffering Frustration Sovereignty Complaining Life
Romans 11:2
“2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,”
Ephesians 2:1-3
“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Lust Morality New Life
1 Timothy 2:4
“4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Related Themes: Learning
Romans 11:7
“7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”
Isaiah 42:1
“1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”
Related Themes: Restoration Justice Glorification Justice
1 Timothy 5:21
“21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
Related Themes: Partiality Angels Equality Voting
2 Peter 3:9
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Related Themes: Repentance Patience Attitude Suffering Quitting
1 John 2:2
“2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Related Themes: Lust Sacrifice Forgiveness Equality Atonement
