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Calling

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The words καλέω, κλῆσις, κλητύς have various applications in scripture. There is

1. the usual position or occupation of a person, as slave or freeman: the Christian is exhorted to continue in his calling if he can do so with God (1 Cor. 7:20-24²⁰Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. ²¹Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. ²²For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. ²³Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. ²⁴Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (1 Corinthians 7:20‑24)).

2. The general “call” or invitation by the gospel, in contradistinction from those that are “chosen” (Matt. 20:16¹⁶So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:16); Matt. 22:14¹⁴For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)).

3. God’s call to individuals, when he also makes them willing to obey: as when Abraham was called to leave his country and kindred (Heb. 11:8⁸By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8)).

4. In an absolute sense for salvation: “whom he did predestinate, them he also called: whom he called, them he also justified” (Rom. 8:30³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30); Rom. 11:29²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)). The saints are saints by calling; the apostles were apostles by calling (Rom. 1:1,7¹Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1)
⁷To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)). The Christian is exhorted to use diligence to make his “calling and election” sure (2 Pet. 1:10¹⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10)), evidently not in the mind of God, but in his own mind.

5. We read of the “high” calling, the “holy” calling, and the “heavenly” calling (Phil. 3:14¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14); 2 Tim. 1:9⁹Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9); Heb. 3:1¹Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)). The “vocation” in Ephesians 4:1¹I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Ephesians 4:1) is the same word.