Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. It is not a question of calling, but of moving from second to first place, or falling back from first to second place. There is a disparity between those who are in the kingdom of heaven. This seen in Bible history. There is a difference between Abraham and Lot. Look at several passages of Scripture. In Exodus 20:4, we read that Pharaoh's chosen captains were drowned in the Red Sea. This does not mean that they were favoured captains, but that they had distinguished themselves by their bravery (Judges 20:15, 16). Of the 26,000 Benjaminites who drew the sword, there were 700 chosen men, left-handed. All the 26,000 men called to be soldiers, but there were 700 men who, in addition to the first calling, were called again as a chosen band, not independent of any fitness in themselves, but because there was fitness in them — they could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. (G. F. Pentecost.) Parallel Verses KJV: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.WEB: So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen." |
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