Romans 8:30

Are all the called ones saved or only some?

PROBLEM: Paul indicates here that all who are “called” by God are eventually “justified” and “glorified” (Romans 8:30). But Jesus said that “many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

SOLUTION: The word “called” is being used in different senses. This is not uncommon in languages. Take, for example, the following sentence: “The dog would bark by the tree but did not scratch the bark from the tree.” Clearly the word “bark” is used in two different senses. Likewise, Paul and Jesus are using different senses of the word “called” which can be contrasted as follows:

Call for salvation Call of salvation