Confusion over "Called?"

[Van]

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]

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]

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]

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]

@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]

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.

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.

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.