The concept of election is a profound theological cornerstone within the Bible. It represents God’s sovereign choice and purpose in salvation and the calling of individuals and nations. The following Bible verses provide insights and context about election, offering a deeper understanding of how God’s will operates in the lives of believers and humanity at large.
Bible Verses About Election
1. Ephesians 1:4 – Chosen Before the Creation
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” – Ephesians 1:4
Cross-References
2 Timothy 1:9 – “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
1 Peter 1:2 – “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.”
2. Romans 8:33 – God’s Chosen Ones
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” – Romans 8:33
Cross-References
Isaiah 50:8 – “He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me?”
John 10:29 – “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
Titus 1:1 – “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth.”
3. John 15:16 – Chosen and Appointed
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.” – John 15:16
Cross-References
Acts 1:2 – “Until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”
4. 2 Peter 1:10 – Confirm Your Calling and Election
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.” – 2 Peter 1:10
Cross-References
Philippians 2:12 – “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
5. Romans 9:11 – God’s Purpose in Election
“Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand.” – Romans 9:11
Cross-References
Genesis 25:23 – “The LORD said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated.'”
Malachi 1:2-3 – “‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'”
Ephesians 3:11 – “According to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 – Paul Acknowledges Election
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Cross-References
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.”
7. 2 Timothy 2:10 – Salvation and Election
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:10
Cross-References
John 17:9 – “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me.”
Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
8. Colossians 3:12 – God’s Chosen People
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Cross-References
1 John 4:10 – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
9. 1 Peter 2:9 – A Chosen People
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Cross-References
Exodus 19:5-6 – “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Revelation 1:6 – “And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.”
Romans 9:25-26 – “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one.”
10. Deuteronomy 7:6 – The Chosen People of God
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.” – Deuteronomy 7:6
Cross-References
Amos 3:2 – “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth.”
Psalm 135:4 – “For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.”
1 Kings 3:8 – “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.”
11. Matthew 22:14 – Many are Called, Few are Chosen
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
Cross-References
Matthew 20:16 – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
John 6:65 – “No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
Isaiah 41:9 – “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.”
12. Romans 11:5 – Election of Grace
“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” – Romans 11:5
Cross-References
1 Kings 19:18 – “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.”
Romans 9:27 – “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves.”
13. Isaiah 42:1 – The Chosen Servant
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him.” – Isaiah 42:1
Cross-References
Matthew 12:18 – “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight.”
Luke 9:35 – “A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.'”
Isaiah 49:3 – “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
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14. Acts 13:48 – Appointed for Eternal Life
“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” – Acts 13:48
Cross-References
Titus 1:2 – “In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”
Luke 2:32 – “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Romans 10:19 – “Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, ‘I will make you envious by those who are not a nation.'”
15. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – Chosen for Salvation
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Cross-References
James 1:18 – “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits.”
Revelation 14:4 – “They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.”
John 15:19 – “As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”
16. Genesis 12:2 – The Calling of Abram
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” – Genesis 12:2
Cross-References
Isaiah 51:2 – “Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth.”
Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went.”
Galatians 3:8 – “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham.”
17. Exodus 33:19 – God’s Sovereignty in Choosing
“And the LORD said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’” – Exodus 33:19
Cross-References
Romans 9:15 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.'”
Psalm 116:5 – “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”
James 4:6 – “But he gives us more grace.”
18. Romans 11:28 – God’s Love and Election
“As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.” – Romans 11:28
Cross-References
Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.”
John 4:22 – “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.”
19. John 6:37 – The Gift of the Father
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” – John 6:37
Cross-References
John 17:6 – “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.”
Matthew 11:27 – “All things have been committed to me by my Father.”
John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
20. Micah 5:7 – The Remnant of Jacob
“The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man.” – Micah 5:7
Cross-References
Amos 9:9 – “For I will give the command, and I will shake the people of Israel among all the nations.”
Isaiah 10:22 – “Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return.”
Zechariah 8:12 – “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit.”
21. Jeremiah 1:5 – Set Apart Before Birth
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5
Cross-References
Isaiah 49:1 – “Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.”
Galatians 1:15 – “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased.”
Romans 8:30 – “And those he predestined, he also called.”
22. Psalm 105:6 – Descendants of Choice
“You his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.” – Psalm 105:6
Cross-References
Hebrews 11:9 – “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country.”
23. Revelation 17:14 – The Called, Chosen, and Faithful
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” – Revelation 17:14
Cross-References
1 Timothy 6:15 – “Which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Revelation 19:16 – “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
24. Isaiah 43:10 – Witnesses of God’s Choice
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen.” – Isaiah 43:10
Cross-References
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”
Isaiah 44:8 – “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?”
John 15:27 – “And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
25. Ezra 9:9 – Light and Restoration
“Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life.” – Ezra 9:9
Cross-References
Nehemiah 9:17 – “They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them.”
Psalm 106:44-45 – “Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry.”
Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.”
26. 1 Samuel 16:7 – God Looks Upon the Heart
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Cross-References
Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind.”
Proverbs 21:2 – “A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.”
1 Kings 8:39 – “Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts.”
27. Isaiah 41:8-9 – Chosen and Unrejected
“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.” – Isaiah 41:8-9
Cross-References
Isaiah 44:1-2 – “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.”
2 Samuel 7:23-24 – “And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth.”
Deuteronomy 10:15 – “Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them.”
28. Psalm 65:4 – Chosen to Come Near
“Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house.” – Psalm 65:4
Cross-References
Psalm 84:10 – “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”
Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD.”
Revelation 21:3 – “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people.”
29. Ezekiel 36:24 – Gathered and Cleansed
“For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” – Ezekiel 36:24
Cross-References
Jeremiah 32:37 – “I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them.”
Deuteronomy 30:3-4 – “Then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.”
Ezekiel 11:17 – “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations.'”
30. Psalm 33:12 – Blessed Nation
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 4:20 – “He brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance.”
Psalm 28:9 – “Save your people and bless your inheritance.”
31. Mark 13:20 – Days Cut Short for the Elect
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.” – Mark 13:20
Cross-References
Matthew 24:22 – “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive.”
2 Corinthians 11:32-33 – “In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city… I was lowered in a basket from a window.”
Revelation 6:11 – “Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer.”
32. Nehemiah 9:7 – The Choosing of Abram
“You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.” – Nehemiah 9:7
Cross-References
Genesis 12:1 – “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people… to the land I will show you.'”
Genesis 17:5 – “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham.”
Joshua 24:3 – “But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates.”
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Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the doctrine of election is deeply rooted in the Bible, reflecting God’s sovereignty, grace, and purpose. Through these passages, we see a blend of divine choice and human responsibility, where God sovereignly calls individuals and groups for His purposes and glory, yet consistently extends His grace and love to all humanity. The Scriptures emphasize that God’s election is not based on human merit but on His mercy and purpose, inviting believers into a life of holiness and service.
Understanding election in this biblical context can inspire a greater appreciation for God’s grace and a commitment to live as His chosen people, dedicated to fulfilling His divine mission. Ultimately, the theme of election beckons believers to a deeper faith, knowing they are called according to God’s purpose and loved beyond measure. By internalizing these truths, Christians are encouraged to live with confidence and humility, honoring God through their lives and sharing His love with all.