The Called Ones, 1 Corinthians 1:24

1 Corinthians 1:24 – The Called Ones, a simple issue of grammar

²² For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 (NASB)

I often find great truth and rich treasure in even the simple grammar of Scripture.  In this verse, the phrase translated simply “called” or “the called” is τοῖς κλητοῖς, is an adjective in the Greek.  In English, the phrase is translated “the called” which is a participle, a verbal used as an adjective.  That is not particularly important or interesting at first glance, but on further examination, I found this to be quite significant.

Regarding the question of grammar, the words, “the called” connect logically three things – the action of calling, the caller, and the called ones.  In this case, no one element has meaning without the other two.  The call as an act has significance only with respect to God who calls and to the ones whom God calls.  In like manner, the called ones apart from the call of the God who calls have no particular importance; in reality “called ones” cannot logically exist apart from the God who calls.

This may seem a minor and almost frivolous point, but for me, one of the “called ones,” it is of eternal importance as it focuses my attention beyond the act of being called to the love, grace, and sovereignty of the God who called me.