Confusion over "Called?"

Van · Sep 24, 2026

The Greek word transliterated as "lego" appears in the New Testament about 2,343 times, and is used to mean three very different things.

First, the word is used to indicate someone is optionally invited to come or go somewhere. When used in this manner, the word should be translated as "invited" rather than "called."

Second, the word is used to indicate something was proclaimed, as in Jesus is proclaimed the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. When the reference is to a person's name, named should be used. But when the reference is to a person's title, proclaimed should be used.

Third, the word is used to indicate someone is summoned or relocated, as in transferred into Christ. If the reference is to our spiritual relocation, transferred should be used.

If these changes were adopted by our translations, using specific English words for each differing meaning, much confusion would be eliminated.

Lets look at a few examples:

Matthew 1:22 NASB

Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled:

Interpretive translation
Now all this took place so that what was proclaimed by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled.

Matthew 2:5 NaSB

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

Interpretive translation
They proclaimed o him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:23 NASB

and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Interpretive translation
and came and settled in a city named Nazareth. This happened so that what was proclaimed through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be proclaimed a Nazarene.”

Matthew 4:18 NASB

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Interpretive translation
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called named Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Matthew 22:14 NASB

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Interpretive translation
“For many are invited but few are chosen.”

searchingtruths · Sep 26, 2026

Van said:
The Greek word transliterated as "lego" appears in the New Testament about 2,343 times, and is used to mean three very different things.

First, the word is used to indicate someone is optionally invited to come or go somewhere. When used in this manner, the word should be translated as "invited" rather than "called."

Second, the word is used to indicate something was proclaimed, as in Jesus is proclaimed the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. When the reference is to a person's name, named should be used. But when the reference is to a person's title, proclaimed should be used.

Third, the word is used to indicate someone is summoned or relocated, as in transferred into Christ. If the reference is to our spiritual relocation, transferred should be used.

If these changes were adopted by our translations, using specific English words for each differing meaning, much confusion would be eliminated.

Lets look at a few examples:

Matthew 1:22 NASB

Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled:

Interpretive translation
Now all this took place so that what was proclaimed by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled.

Matthew 2:5 NaSB

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

Interpretive translation
They proclaimed o him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:23 NASB

and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Interpretive translation
and came and settled in a city named Nazareth. This happened so that what was proclaimed through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be proclaimed a Nazarene.”

Matthew 4:18 NASB

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Interpretive translation
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called named Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Matthew 22:14 NASB

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Interpretive translation
“For many are invited but few are chosen.

I haven't heard a minister yet that didn't understand how the word called should be interpreted.

There is actually no difference in how the word called is supposed to be used in what do you call the Interpretive translation compared to the KJV.

Not all words have had their meanings change, called is not one of them, whether it is to invite - to name - to proclaim the meaning is still the same.

Van · Sep 28, 2026

searchingtruths said:
I haven't heard a minister yet that didn't understand how the word called should be interpreted.

There is actually no difference in how the word called is supposed to be used in what do you call the Interpretive translation compared to the KJV.

Not all words have had their meanings change, called is not one of them, whether it is to invite - to name - to proclaim the meaning is still the same.

I fear you may be a KJV only or preferred poster, actually claiming our English translations can not be vastly improved by choosing a word or phrase to translate each of the meanings of the original language word or phrase.

And yes, the Greek "Lego" word is often mistranslated or poorly translated if you prefer.

When we see "called" in our English translation, why do we need to decipher which of its meanings is intended? For example, many are called but few are chosen. Does this mean many are proclaimed christian but few are chosen christian? Who knows. If called can mean "relocated" as in "called into His marvelous light" how do you know it does not mean invited into His marvelous light.

Van · Sep 28, 2026

Let's consider Romans 9:24 KJV

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Does this mean we were invited, or perhaps "named?" Nope The idea is God not only chose and set apart into Christ Jews but also Gentiles. Why should the translation offer confusion rather than clarity?

Consider these English translations:
CEV
Whether Jews or Gentiles, we are those chosen ones,

ERV
We are those people, the ones God chose not only from the Jews but also from those who are not Jews.

NIRV
We are those people. He has chosen us. We do not come only from the Jewish race. Many of us are not Jews.

NLV
We are the ones He chose. He did not only choose Jews. He also chose some from among the people who are not Jews.

NLT
And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

YLT
{He did call us} not only out of the Jews, but also out of the nations.

Most of the rest of the English translations provide no help based on their knowledge of the context, thus providing if not a mistranslation, certainly a poor one.

Here is a simple literal interpretive translation:
"Even us, who He has set apart not out of the Jews only, but also out of the Gentiles."

Martin Marprelate · Sep 28, 2026

@Van does not seem to be aware that lego is not the word most often translated as 'called.' That word is kaleo and it is rendered as 'called' 126 times, whereas lego is used only ten times that I can find: Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; 12:37; 15:12; Luke 18:19; 20:37; John 15:15; Acts 10:28; 24:14; Rev. 2:20.
Lego is, I believe, translated as 'say' 1,180 times, and as 'speak' 56 times. Those are its natural meanings.

I have used Young's Analytical Concordance for this analysis, so the figures given refer to the KJV. I am neither KJV 'only' or 'preferred;' more of a KJV 'accepted.'

searchingtruths · Sep 28, 2026

Van said:
I fear you may be a KJV only or preferred poster, actually claiming our English translations can not be vastly improved by choosing a word or phrase to translate each of the meanings of the original language word or phrase.

And yes, the Greek "Lego" word is often mistranslated or poorly translated if you prefer.

When we see "called" in our English translation, why do we need to decipher which of its meanings is intended? For example, many are called but few are chosen. Does this mean many are proclaimed christian but few are chosen christian? Who knows. If called can mean "relocated" as in "called into His marvelous light" how do you know it does not mean invited into His marvelous light.

Van said:
I fear you may be a KJV only or preferred poster, actually claiming our English translations can not be vastly improved by choosing a word or phrase to translate each of the meanings of the original language word or phrase.

Never said the English translation could not be improved or as you say vastly improved. What I have said in **other post,** definitely not this one, is that there are scriptures deleted as well as the meaning of certain words changed in the newer translations __ big difference in what this post is saying....... There is no difference in the usage and meaning of the word called and how it is preached in any church I've been into.

Van said:
And yes, the Greek "Lego" word is often mistranslated or poorly translated if you prefer.

When we see "called" in our English translation, why do we need to decipher which of its meanings is intended? For example, many are called but few are chosen. Does this mean many are proclaimed christian but few are chosen christian? Who knows. If called can mean "relocated" as in "called into His marvelous light" how do you know it does not mean invited into His marvelous light.

What you were saying has nothing to do with what I wrote.

Martin Marprelate · Sep 28, 2026

Van said:
Let's consider Romans 9:24 KJV

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Does this mean we were invited, or perhaps "named?" Nope The idea is God not only chose and set apart into Christ Jews but also Gentiles. Why should the translation offer confusion rather than clarity?

Consider these English translations:
CEV
Whether Jews or Gentiles, we are those chosen ones,

ERV
We are those people, the ones God chose not only from the Jews but also from those who are not Jews.

NIRV
We are those people. He has chosen us. We do not come only from the Jewish race. Many of us are not Jews.

NLV
We are the ones He chose. He did not only choose Jews. He also chose some from among the people who are not Jews.

NLT
And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

YLT
{He did call us} not only out of the Jews, but also out of the nations.

Most of the rest of the English translations provide no help based on their knowledge of the context, thus providing if not a mistranslation, certainly a poor one.

Here is a simple literal interpretive translation:
"Even us, who He has set apart not out of the Jews only, but also out of the Gentiles."

Romans 9:24 (NKJV). 'Even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.' The Greek word translated 'called' here is the aorist tense of kaleo, which means 'to call' as in Matthew 1:21, 23, 25 and a host of other places. All the other reputable translations (ESV, NASB, NIV) that I've looked at are almost identical to to the NKJV. The translation 'set apart' is neither literal nor interpretive, but fanciful.

kyredneck · Sep 28, 2026

Van said:
Let's consider Romans 9:24 KJV

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Does this mean we were invited, or perhaps "named?"

It means we've been chosen, 'afore prepared', predestined, called according to his purpose.

Romans Chapter 9

23	and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon *vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,*
24	even *us, whom he also called*, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

Romans Chapter 8

28	And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to *them that are called according to his purpose.*
29	For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
30	and *whom he foreordained, them he also called*: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans Chapter 9

11	for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, *that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,*

Ben1445 · Wednesday at 7:05 AM

Martin Marprelate said:
@Van does not seem to be aware that lego is not the word most often translated as 'called.' That word is kaleo and it is rendered as 'called' 126 times, whereas lego is used only ten times that I can find: Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; 12:37; 15:12; Luke 18:19; 20:37; John 15:15; Acts 10:28; 24:14; Rev. 2:20.
Lego is, I believe, translated as 'say' 1,180 times, and as 'speak' 56 times. Those are its natural meanings.

You are going to have to explain your math here. I don’t want to assume what you mean.

Martin Marprelate · Wednesday at 7:52 AM

Ben1445 said:
You are going to have to explain your math here. I don’t want to assume what you mean.

I'm not quite sure what your difficulty is here. @Van seemed to suggest that lego is the only Greek word for 'call,' but it isn't.
Lego is used for 'call' only in the sense of naming someone or something: e.g. Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19. 'Why do you call Me good?' That could equally be translated as 'Why do you say I am good?' 'Say' is the normal translation of lego. I do not see anywhere that lego is translated 'call' in the sense of summoning someone. Are you following me so far.

Kaleo is the usual word for 'call.' Sometimes it is used in the same way as lego (e.g. Matt. 1:25), but usually it has the sense of to summon or to call out to someone: e.g. Matt. 2:15; John 10:3 etc.). Another word used in the same way is phoneo: e.g. Matt. 20:32 etc. In Romans 9:24, which @Van specifically mentioned, the word used is kaleo.

So, contra @Van, when we see the word 'call' in our Bibles, we should not assume that it is a translation of lego, and there is no reason whatsoever to render the word as 'set apart.' There is a word, eklego, which means 'choose,' from the Past Participle of which (eklectos, 'chosen') we get the word 'elect.'

I hope that helps.

Van · Wednesday at 11:02 AM

Martin Marprelate said:
@Van does not seem to be aware that lego is not the word most often translated as 'called.' That word is kaleo and it is rendered as 'called' 126 times, whereas lego is used only ten times that I can find: Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; 12:37; 15:12; Luke 18:19; 20:37; John 15:15; Acts 10:28; 24:14; Rev. 2:20.
Lego is, I believe, translated as 'say' 1,180 times, and as 'speak' 56 times. Those are its natural meanings.

I have used Young's Analytical Concordance for this analysis, so the figures given refer to the KJV. I am neither KJV 'only' or 'preferred;' more of a KJV 'accepted.'

Yes, Martin, I was mistaken in identifying Lego are the predominately rendered translation into "called" in the NASB. My bad.

You are correct, the predominate rendering into "called" is "Kaleo" (G2564. The NASB renders it "called" about 148 times.

However, the basic meanings of Kaleo in the New Testament remain valid, (1) invite, (2) name or designate and (3) relocate or set apart.

Van · Wednesday at 11:19 AM

Martin Marprelate said:
Romans 9:24 (NKJV). 'Even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.' The Greek word translated 'called' here is the aorist tense of kaleo, which means 'to call' as in Matthew 1:21, 23, 25 and a host of other places. All the other reputable translations (ESV, NASB, NIV) that I've looked at are almost identical to to the NKJV. The translation 'set apart' is neither literal nor interpretive, but fanciful.

Good Grief, such denial of the obvious. Name calling will not cut the mustard.

Yes, the point of the thread is the mistranslation into "called" of the Greek G2564 (kaleo) such that the meaning of the verse is misconstrued.

Who is the us? Those invited or those set apart in Christ? Were they invited or were they set apart out of the Jews and Gentiles. They were set apart in Christ, and were caused to be born anew, thus becoming "sons of the Living God."

Just because a translation is "reputable" does not mean they do not contain mistranslations and poor translations of some verses.

Van · Wednesday at 11:39 AM

kyredneck said:
It means we've been chosen, 'afore prepared', predestined, called according to his purpose.

Romans Chapter 9

23
and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
24
even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

Romans Chapter 8

28
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
29
For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
30
and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans Chapter 9

11
for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,

1) Kaleo does not mean chosen, or prepared beforehand.

2) In Romans 8:28, Kaleo is used to mean set apart, as in set apart according to purpose.

3) In Romans 9:23, God prepared beforehand the means into glory, which was the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. When does a child of wrath become a vessel of mercy? When God chooses the lost individual based on crediting their faith in the truth, and setting them apart in Christ.

4) In Romans 8:30, those to be redeemed by Christ were also predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (as siblings of Christ). God's redemption plan, formulated before the foundation of the world, was being implemented during the time of Paul's writing. Thus, after Christ's sacrifice, providing the means of reconciliation, God was setting apart believers according to His purpose.

kyredneck · Wednesday at 11:57 AM

Van said:
Who is the us?

Romans Chapter 1

1	Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, *called* to be *an apostle*, separated unto the gospel of God,

6	among whom are ye also *called* to be *Jesus Christ`s*:
7	*To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints*: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Van · Wednesday at 12:36 PM

kyredneck said:
Romans Chapter 1

1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

6
among whom are ye also called to be Jesus Christ`s:
7
To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, Romans 1:1 should be translated "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, proclaimed an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

Yes, Romans 1:6 should be translated " among whom are ye also set apart in Jesus Christ

Yes, Romans 1:7 should be translated "To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, set apart saints, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ben1445 · Wednesday at 3:01 PM

Martin Marprelate said:
rendered as 'called' 126 times, whereas lego is used only ten times that I can find: Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; 12:37; 15:12; Luke 18:19; 20:37; John 15:15; Acts 10:28; 24:14; Rev. 2:20.
Lego is, I believe, translated as 'say' 1,180 times, and as 'speak' 56 times. Those are its natural meanings.

For a word only used ten times, it sure was translated an awful lot of times. Is that across all translations or is this a mixup of Greek words?
It can’t be present only ten times and translated over 1,000. So I ask for clarification on which word belongs where.

Martin Marprelate · Wednesday at 5:20 PM

Van said:
Good Grief, such denial of the obvious. Name calling will not cut the mustard.

I did not call you names, did I? I said your suggested 'interpretive' translation was fanciful, which it is.

Van said:
Yes, the point of the thread is the mistranslation into "called" of the Greek G2564 (kaleo) such that the meaning of the verse is misconstrued.

Who is the us? Those invited or those set apart in Christ? Were they invited or were they set apart out of the Jews and Gentiles. They were set apart in Christ, and were caused to be born anew, thus becoming "sons of the Living God."

Who is the 'us'? It is Paul and the people to whom he is writing. Who are they? Romans 1:7. 'To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called [Greek kaleo] to be saints.' They are the ones who are the subject of Romans 9:24. If I were to suggest that kaleo in 1:7 should be translated 'set apart,' you would be the first to accuse me of Calvinism.

Van said:
Just because a translation is "reputable" does not mean it does not contain mistranslations and poor translations of some verses.

It does not mean that it may not contain mistranslations etc. It will need someone with a whole lot more knowledge of Greek than you, and far better arguments than you have mustered so far, to persuade me that 'call' is not the correct translation both of Rom. 1:7 and Rom. 9:24.

Martin Marprelate · Wednesday at 5:31 PM

Martin Marprelate said:
@Van does not seem to be aware that lego is not the word most often translated as 'called.' That word is kaleo and it is rendered as 'called' 126 times, whereas lego is used only ten times that I can find: Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; 12:37; 15:12; Luke 18:19; 20:37; John 15:15; Acts 10:28; 24:14; Rev. 2:20.
Lego is, I believe, translated as 'say' 1,180 times, and as 'speak' 56 times. Those are its natural meanings.

Ben1445 said:
For a word only used ten times, it sure was translated an awful lot of times. Is that across all translations or is this a mixup of Greek words?
It can’t be present only ten times and translated over 1,000. So I ask for clarification on which word belongs where.

I'm not quite sure if you're winding me up or not, but I will assume not for the moment.
Lego is translated as 'say' 1,180 times, as 'speak' 56 times and 'called' 10 times.
Kaleo is translated as 'called' 126 times, never as 'say' or 'speak.'

Is that clear enough for you?

Van · Friday at 12:52 PM

Martin Marprelate said:
I did not call you names, did I? I said your suggested 'interpretive' translation was fanciful, which it is.

Who is the 'us'? It is Paul and the people to whom he is writing. Who are they? Romans 1:7. 'To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called [Greek kaleo] to be saints.' They are the ones who are the subject of Romans 9:24. If I were to suggest that kaleo in 1:7 should be translated 'set apart,' you would be the first to accuse me of Calvinism.

It does not mean that it may not contain mistranslations etc. It will need someone with a whole lot more knowledge of Greek than you, and far better arguments than you have mustered so far, to persuade me that 'call' is not the correct translation both of Rom. 1:7 and Rom. 9:24.

More denial of the obvious - you did not resort to "name calling" when you said the interpretive translation of Kaleo (G25) as "set apart" was "fanciful."

From an on line lexicon: "Mark 1:20; to order one to be summoned, Matthew 2:15 (see just below); before the judges, Acts 4:18; Acts 24:2; followed by ἐκ with the genitive of place, equivalent to to call out, call forth from: Matthew 2:15, cf. Hebrews 11:8. metaphorically, to cause to pass from one state into another: τινα ἐκ σκότους εἰς τό φῶς, 1 Peter 2:9."

Here is the obvious truth being denied, when we were called into the kingdom, we were set apart in Christ!

Martin Marprelate · Saturday at 12:44 PM

Van said:
More denial of the obvious - you did not resort to "name calling" when you said the interpretive translation of Kaleo (G25) as "set apart" was "fanciful."

More denial of the obvious - I did not call you an obnoxious half-wit, and never have. I called your 'interpretive' translation of kaleo "fanciful,' which it is.

Van said:
From an on line lexicon: "Mark 1:20; to order one to be summoned, Matthew 2:15 (see just below); before the judges, Acts 4:18; Acts 24:2; followed by ἐκ with the genitive of place, equivalent to to call out, call forth from: Matthew 2:15, cf. Hebrews 11:8. metaphorically, to cause to pass from one state into another: τινα ἐκ σκότους εἰς τό φῶς, 1 Peter 2:9."

All these are perfectly well translated by "call." There is a 'general call' which is given and there is a particular or 'iresistible' call.
In Mark 1:15, the Lord Jesus calls all and sundry to 'repent and believe the Gospel.' Whom is He speaking to? We are not told, but presumably everyone within earshot. Did they all obey? Again, we are not told, but we presume not. They were not 'set apart in Christ - they were called into the kingdom. With those words, the Lord Jesus calls men and women today. Will everyone who hears the, whether spoken by a preacher or read in the Bible, obey them. By no means.
Again, in Matthew 11:28, the Lord Jesus issues a call: "Come to Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Did everyone who was weary and heavy laden come? No. I expect many of them were found later shouting, "Crucify Him! We have no king but Caesar!" Were they all set apart in Christ? I think not.

But in Luke 5:27-28, the Lord Jesus comes across Levi (or Matthew) the tax collector, and says to him, "Follow Me." We are told that Levi at once, 'left all, rose up and followed Jesus.' 'Left all' presumably meant all the money, his records, everything. That was an irresistible call, and of course Levi obeyed it; but it was still a call. The same applies in Mark 1:20; it was a particular, irresistible call.

Van said:
Here is the obvious truth being denied, when we were called into the kingdom, we were set apart in Christ!

When Levi/Matthew rose up and followed Jesus, he was obeying the call, and no doubt was set apart in Christ. The call came first; the following and the setting apart came when he obeyed the call.

Confusion over "Called?"

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