Why does Paul refer to only believers as “called” in 1 Cor 1:24?
Why does Paul refer to only believers as “called” in 1 Cor 1:24? In Matthew 22, called (kletos) means “invited” in Christ’s parable of the wedding feast and it’s easy to see why Gentiles, who hadn’t previously been invited, would be exited by their invitation or that the host of a party might refer them as “his invited guests”. What I like about “invited” is it highlights the graciousness and initiative of the host and the newness to the Gentiles, but that alone might not be enough to explain why believers came to be know as “the called”. “Invited” seems to be missing the authority of the call, the group aspect, and the exclusivity. “Summoned”, like a court summons, is better because it highlights the commanding nature and responsibility to respond. But the group aspect is best brought about as “assembled” or “a convocation” like kletos is used in the LXX for Exodus 12:16 or Leviticus 23:2. A church is an ekklesia or assembly and the root is the same as kletos and they are exclusively