Brief Overview of ἐκλογή (Strong’s G1589: eklogē)

Introduction

The Greek word ἐκλογή (eklogē) plays a significant role in understanding key theological concepts in the New Testament, particularly those related to divine selection and predestination. It is a word that directly connects with the idea of God choosing individuals or groups for specific purposes, making it central to discussions on election and salvation. The term ἐκλογή is not only crucial for interpreting New Testament texts but also offers insights into the broader context of ancient Greek culture, where choice and selection were often associated with matters of public and personal significance.

Key Information

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• Greek Word: ἐκλογή (eklogē) [ek-lo-GAY]
• Etymology: Derived from the verb ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai), meaning “to choose” or “to select.”
• Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine, First Declension)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Election, Selection: The primary meaning of ἐκλογή is “election” or “selection,” often used in the context of God’s choosing of people or groups for His divine purposes.
• Chosen Group: It can also refer to the group of people who have been chosen or elected, particularly in a religious or spiritual sense.
• Choice: More generally, it can imply the act of choosing or making a selection, whether by God or by individuals.

Similar Words:

• προορίζω (proorizō) [pro-o-RID-zo]: Meaning “to predestine,” this word is closely related to ἐκλογή, particularly in theological discussions about God’s foreordained choices.
• ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) [ek-LEK-tos]: This adjective meaning “chosen” or “elect” is directly related to ἐκλογή and is often used to describe those who are the objects of God’s election.

Further Insights

• Morphology: ἐκλογή is a feminine noun of the first declension. Its root, ἐκλέγομαι (to choose), gives it a direct connection to the concept of divine selection. It appears in various grammatical cases, depending on its function within a sentence.
• Linguistic Features: The term’s usage in the New Testament often emphasizes the concept of divine initiative—God’s active role in choosing individuals or groups for specific roles or blessings.

Declension Chart (Noun: First Declension)

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: The BDAG lexicon defines ἐκλογή as the “act of picking out, choosing,” especially with the nuance of divine selection in the context of salvation history.
• Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes ἐκλογή as a theological term that signifies the “act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons.”
• Vine’s: Vine’s Expository Dictionary associates ἐκλογή with the concept of election, focusing on its use in the New Testament to describe those whom God has chosen for salvation.
• LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides a classical perspective, noting that ἐκλογή could refer to any choice or selection, not necessarily limited to religious contexts.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s concordance highlights the occurrences of ἐκλογή in the New Testament, underscoring its importance in passages dealing with divine election.

Scripture References:

• Romans 9:11: “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election (ἐκλογή) might stand.”
• 2 Peter 1:10: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election (ἐκλογή) sure.”

Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, ἐκλογή was used to describe the act of selecting or choosing, often in political or public contexts.

Summary of ἐκλογή (G1589: eklogē)

The Greek noun ἐκλογή (eklogē) is a significant term in both biblical and classical contexts, primarily referring to the concept of selection or election. In the New Testament, it carries profound theological implications, particularly in discussions of God’s sovereign choice of individuals or groups for specific purposes or blessings. The word is directly related to the concept of divine election, making it essential for understanding key passages in the New Testament. In classical literature, ἐκλογή is used more broadly to describe any act of choosing, whether in political, personal, or public life.

Did You Know?

The idea of divine election, as captured by the term ἐκλογή, is not unique to the New Testament. It has roots in the Old Testament, where God’s selection of Israel as His chosen people is a central theme, laying the foundation for the New Testament’s emphasis on the church as God’s elect.