ἐκλέγω (eklegō)
eklegō
to select
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb eklegō means to pick out or select from a larger group. In the New Testament, it appears twenty times, often describing Jesus choosing his disciples (Luke 6:13; John 15:16) or God’s sovereign selection of people and things (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 1:27). The word carries a sense of deliberate preference, highlighting that the chosen are set apart for a specific purpose.
It is always used in the middle voice in the New Testament, which implies acting for oneself or with personal interest. This grammatical form underscores that the choice is intentional and relational. For instance, when Jesus speaks of choosing his disciples, he indicates they are picked out to be with him and to bear fruit (John 15:16). The term also appears in Acts to describe the early church selecting leaders like Stephen (Acts 6:5), showing its use in both divine and human contexts.
The word is frequently used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew bâchar, linking New Testament usage to Old Testament themes of election. It emphasizes that selection is not random but purposeful, often involving separation from the rest for a special role. This concept is central to understanding biblical teachings on grace and calling.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eklegō describes a deliberate act of selection, often highlighting that being chosen is not random but purposeful. In the New Testament, this verb appears in contexts where Jesus picks specific individuals for close fellowship or mission, such as choosing the twelve apostles (Luke 6:13). It also reflects God’s sovereign choice to set apart people and things for His own ends, emphasizing intentionality over chance.
For your faith, this means you are not an accident. When Scripture speaks of being chosen, it points to a personal relationship established by God before time began (Ephesians 1:4). This selection carries responsibility and privilege, inviting you to bear fruit and live in love. Whether in divine election or human decisions, the core idea remains: purposeful inclusion into something greater than yourself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- chose6×
- has chosen3×
- having chosen2×
- He chose2×
- they were choosing out,1×
- they chose1×
- having chosen out1×
- did choose,1×
- chosen,1×
- chose,1×
- You have chosen1×
- I chose;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξελέξατο10×
- ἐξελεξάμην2×
- ἐξελέξω1×
- ἐξελέξασθε,1×
- ἐξελέξαντο1×
- ἐξελέγοντο,1×
- ἐξελεξάμην·1×
- ἐξελεξάμην,1×
- ἐκλεξάμενος1×
- ἐκλεξαμένους1×
- ἐκλεξαμένοις1×
- ἐκλελεγμένος,1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 6:13
When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
This verse shows Jesus actively selecting twelve individuals from a larger group to serve as apostles, demonstrating intentional leadership choice.
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John 15:16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Jesus clarifies that the disciples did not choose Him but were chosen by Him for the specific purpose of bearing lasting fruit.
-
Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
Paul highlights that God’s selection of believers occurred before creation, linking election to holiness and love rather than merit.
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Acts 6:5
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
The early church chose Stephen based on his character and faith, illustrating how this term applies to human discernment in community leadership.