Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Jesus declares 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you' (ouch hymeis me exelexasthe all' ego exelexamen hymas). This asserts divine initiative - salvation begins with God's elective choice, not human decision. The verb eklego means to select, to choose out. Jesus then states His purpose: 'and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit' (kai etheka hymas hina hymeis hypagete kai karpon pherete). The verb tithemi (ordained/appointed) indicates authoritative commissioning. Believers are chosen for mission - to go and bear fruit. The fruit's permanence follows: 'and that your fruit should remain' (kai ho karpos hymon mene). The verb meno again - fruitfulness that endures. The promise concludes: 'that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you' (hina ho ti an aitesete ton patera en to onomati mou do hymin). Fruitful mission is supported by answered prayer.
Historical Context
Jesus' assertion of divine election contradicted rabbinic model where students chose their rabbi. Jesus chose His disciples (Mark 3:13), reversing normal pattern. Early church understood conversion as divine calling - God draws people to Christ (John 6:44). Augustine's theology emphasized that grace precedes and enables response - humans love God because He first loved them. Pelagian controversy centered on divine initiative versus human autonomy. Reformation theology developed doctrines of election and predestination based on passages like this. Arminian theology reinterpreted election as corporate (God chooses the church) or based on foreseen faith. The verse's emphasis on fruit-bearing and mission reminds that election is not for privilege but purpose - chosen to go and bear fruit. Modern debate continues about election's nature, but Jesus' emphasis is clear: salvation originates in divine choice, not human merit.
Questions for Reflection
How does Jesus' declaration 'I have chosen you' shape our understanding of salvation's origin and human responsibility?
What is the relationship between being chosen, being ordained to bear fruit, and having prayer answered?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you' (ouch hymeis me exelexasthe all' ego exelexamen hymas). This asserts divine initiative - salvation begins with God's elective choice, not human decision. The verb eklego means to select, to choose out. Jesus then states His purpose: 'and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit' (kai etheka hymas hina hymeis hypagete kai karpon pherete). The verb tithemi (ordained/appointed) indicates authoritative commissioning. Believers are chosen for mission - to go and bear fruit. The fruit's permanence follows: 'and that your fruit should remain' (kai ho karpos hymon mene). The verb meno again - fruitfulness that endures. The promise concludes: 'that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you' (hina ho ti an aitesete ton patera en to onomati mou do hymin). Fruitful mission is supported by answered prayer.