Based ON WHAT YOU SAID I said this and then explained why I said this. However, it seems you are more interested in avoiding the real issues. Could it be that you simply can't deal with the issues placed before you, and so this is your tactic, change the subject to quibble over nothing and finally get out of the whole debate?
I do not want to get out of this 'whole debate'. As you suggested to 'just take it one section at a time' so I chose the first section, the first phrase. You did not answer my question, but you changed the subject; a tactic you are accusing me of.
My point is you do indeed "sometimes" assume what I think, although you said, 'I never assumed what you thought.'
As with me, you also sometimes assume much in Scripture. You assume 'those "chosen" and "called" are limited and not universal and this choice and calling is effectual' - concepts not present in 1Cor 1:26-31.
Where does 1Cor 1 say anything is limited or effectual? Those concepts are not present there. Your saying they are inferred, or understood in Paul's thinking, does not make it so.
You introduce those concepts into you reading of 1Cor 1 because of how you define 'calling' and 'chosen.' You bring a definition and meaning to those words that do not exist in 1Cor 1, and thereby assume such concepts as 'effectual' and 'limited' are also present.
I was hoping that you would realize that because you sometimes assume what I think, you might also realize the possibility of your assuming things in 1Cor 1.
See, I am not 'avoiding the real issues' as you might be thinking, as you questioned above. My tactic was to take your advice and tackle each post one at a time, phrase by phrase, your line by your line. Evidently, that was not agreeable.
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As to the OP:
"your calling, brethren" in 1Cor 1:26 refers to their reputation, what they are known by, the average vocation of believers in Corinth or to their station in life as God found them when they first believed in the LORD - not many of them are wise, but perhaps some of them are; not many wise after the flesh, but perhaps a few are; not many mighty or noble, but perhaps a couple of them are. That is their κλῆσιν, the reputation of the believers at Corinth, the character of their name, that they are comprised of mostly average salt-of-the-earth people with equal standing before the Lord. They are not righteous before God because of their station in life, neither do they have salvation in Christ Jesus because of their vocation or merits - but because every believer there has trusted in God for righteousness and in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. They derive the character of their name because of who God is, because of what He has brought about in His Son. None of them have a right to boast in their vocation or station or freedom or citizenship, but in the Lord only. That is their name, their κλῆσιν, that they have a name because of the Name, of Christ. He is their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He Himself is their glory, Lord, power, strength, might, a very wellborn One.
