Some say that the verse, “For many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 22:14 LITV) states that, “And indeed He gave some to be apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teacher” refers to the few (Ephesians 4:11 LITV). But Ephesians 4 does not say, “and some nothing.” Jesus gave ministry gifts (gave/gives ministers as gifts to the church) for, “the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12 LITV). Ministers are given to the church to prepare the church for the work of the ministry – to prepare ministers that are given by Jesus Christ to the church. The statement in Matthew 22 is not referring to ministers.
What is written in Matthew 22 verses 1 to 14? Read the scripture verses. The verses are about the kingdom of heaven and compares it to a wedding ( a marriage) of the son of a king. There was a group of people invited to the wedding that would not attend. Some of the invited guests even beat and killed the servants sent out to tell the guests about the wedding. The king then sent his servants out to bring in anyone they found along the way. One of the guests that came to the wedding was cast out for not having on a wedding garment.
The one guest that came to the wedding but was cast out was attempting to be his own righteousness. “We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (garments); we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6 NKJV). Paul wrote, “that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9 NKJV). The one guest tried to enter dressed in his own garment of righteousness and did not put on the garment cleaned by the blood of the Lamb.
The verse reads, “For many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 22:14 LITV). If only one was cast out of the wedding why does it read, “but few are chosen”? Because of the ones that refused the calling of the Lord; the guest that were invited by the king, through the work of the servants of the king, but would not come to the wedding. How does that relate to Ephesians 4? The apostles; prophets; evangelists; and pastors and teachers, given to the church by Jesus Christ, are the servants of the king and not the guests that would not come nor the one that would not give up his own garment for the wedding garment.
Our LORD Jesus Christ gave (gives) to the church ministers to prepare ministers that prepare ministers and it goes on and on. Seed producing like seed. But some refuse to listen to the servants of God and never know what God has in store for them. Some (at least one) came to the wedding, but continue to try to be their own righteousness, without the blood of Jesus. So in that, there are some that never fulfilled their calling. But all that come to the LORD and put on garments (the righteousness of Jesus) washed in the blood of the Lamb are being taught to be ministers (servants, that Jesus calls friends) of Jesus Christ.
Ministers are given to the church so that, “speaking the truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, the Christ” (Ephesians 4:15 LITV) Ministers are given by Jesus, “for the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12 LITV). Ministers are given by Jesus to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” because it is written that Jesus said, “And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end” (Matthew 24:14 LITV).
© 2006, Tim D. Coulter Sr.