[B-Greek] KLHTOS APOSTOLOS (Rom 1:1)

David Bielby dbielby at bloomingtonvineyard.org
Thu Mar 13 00:07:52 EST 2003


Dear Big Greeks.....
In Romans 1:1 Paul introduces himself saying "KLHTOS APOSTOLOS" in the
middle of the verse.  My Greek lexicons say that KLHTOS can be translated
"called, invited or welcome" as one option.  Questions on this verse I'd
like to see replies to include:  
 
Can we legitimately translate it "Invited to be an apostle"...or should it
lean towards the sense of "Chosen to be an apostle" as the NLT translates
it?  
 
If Paul was saying 'invited to be an apostle' could he have been saying this
in a 'softened' way so as to not come on too strong....or could he have been
thinking about the fact that he was still 'running the race' and hadn't
completed his course yet...?
 
Does Revelations 17:14 indicate a progression "KLHTOS" and "EKLEKTOI" and
"PISTOI"...and if it does...could this progression illuminate the use of
KLHTOS in Romans 1:1 and the other NT passages it occurs in? 
 
L&N say ", it may be necessary likewise to make certain semantic adjustments
in the translation of KLHTOS . For example, the phrase in Ro 1.1 may be
rendered as 'urgently invited to be an apostle' or even 'summoned and
commissioned to be an apostle.'"  
 
I have other questions about this term.  Is KLHTOS referring to the event in
Acts 9 15 (Sauls conversion) or the event in Acts 13:2 (Sauls separation for
mission trips with Barnabas) or possibly both...or neither??
 
References to articles or further information would also be appreciated.
 
Thank you!
 
David Bielby
Pastor
Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Bloomington/Normal
dbielby at bloomingtonvineyard.org
www.bloomingtonvineyard.org
 


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