📖 Biblical Definition
Election is the free, gracious, unconditional act by which God, before the foundation of the world, chose a definite people in Christ unto holiness, adoption, and glory — not because of foreseen worth, faith, or works, but according to the good pleasure of His own will. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world... according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace" (Ephesians 1:4-6; cf. Romans 9:11-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). The doctrine humbles the saved (no boasting), comforts them (no losing what God secured), and frees them to evangelize (the elect will come). Sovereign grace is not bad news; it is the only news that finally saves.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ELECTION, n. The act of choosing; choice; specifically, divine choice; predetermination of God by which certain persons are distinguished as objects of mercy.
expand to see more
1. The act of choosing; choice; the act of selecting one or more from others. 2. In theology, divine choice; predestination of individuals as objects of mercy and salvation; God's sovereign distinguishing grace by which He chooses His people in Christ before the foundation of the world.
📖 Key Scripture
Ephesians 1:4 — "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
Ephesians 1:5 — "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
Romans 9:11 — "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)"
Romans 9:16 — "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to either a tribal merit badge or a man-centered “choice” God ratifies.
expand to see more
Modern objections recoil from election as “unfair,” insisting God must respond to autonomous human will. Others abuse the doctrine into cold elitism, treating election as a status to flaunt rather than a mercy to tremble under.
Scripture frames election as the deepest comfort and the deepest humility. It cuts the root of pride—you did not choose Him—and grounds assurance in God's unchanging purpose, not your wavering performance. The elect are chosen unto holiness, never instead of it.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek eklogē and eklektos — chosen out, selected.
expand to see more
G1589 — eklogē — a choosing out, selection, election
G1588 — eklektos — chosen, picked out, elect
G4309 — prooridō — to predetermine, foreordain
Usage
"Election is not a tribal merit badge; it is sovereign mercy."
"You did not choose Him—He chose you. Tremble and worship."
"The doctrine that humbles the proud also steadies the trembling saint."