Call (Kaleō)
καλέω (kaleō)
To summon, invite, or name — God's sovereign invitation that creates what it declares.
Kaleō is the Greek word for call, meaning to summon, invite, or name. God's call is not merely an invitation but a creative act — He calls things into existence, calls sinners to salvation, and calls believers to their purpose.
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified." — Romans 8:30 (KJV)
Key Verses
Romans 8:30
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified.”Read in context
1 Peter 2:9
“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”Read in context
Romans 4:17
“God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G2564 — Call (Kaleō) (καλέω (kaleō))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where καλέω (kaleō) appears.
Open Strong's G2564Etymology and Original Meaning
Kaleō means 'to call,' 'to summon,' 'to invite,' or 'to name.' It covers a range from casual invitation to sovereign command. The related noun klēsis means 'calling' or 'vocation,' and ekklēsia (church) means 'the called-out ones.' In the New Testament, God's call is the decisive moment when His invitation creates the response — it summons into existence what it commands.
God's Creative Call
God 'calleth those things which be not as though they were' (Romans 4:17). His call is creative — it doesn't discover existing realities but brings new realities into being. He called light out of darkness (Genesis 1:3), a nation out of one barren couple, and life out of death. God's calling word carries the power to accomplish what it declares.
The Call to Salvation
Paul traces the chain: 'Whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified' (Romans 8:30). God's call is effective — it accomplishes its purpose. Peter declares that God 'hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' (1 Peter 2:9). Salvation begins with a divine summons that creates the capacity to respond.
Called to Purpose
Beyond salvation, God calls believers to specific purposes: 'Walk worthy of the vocation (klēsis) wherewith ye are called' (Ephesians 4:1). Paul was 'called to be an apostle' (Romans 1:1). Every believer has a calling — a divine summons to serve God's purposes in their unique context. Discovering and fulfilling this calling gives life its deepest meaning and direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does call mean in the Bible?
Call (kaleō) means to summon, invite, or name. God's call is creative and effective — it brings into existence what it declares, summons sinners to salvation, and assigns believers their purpose and vocation.
How do I know my calling?
Your calling combines God's sovereign purposes with your gifts, passions, and circumstances. It begins with the general call to follow Christ (salvation) and unfolds into specific callings (vocation, ministry, service). Prayer, Scripture, community, and the Spirit's leading reveal it progressively.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Call (Kaleō)"?
Romans 8:30 — "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified" (KJV). It also appears in 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 4:17.
Why does the Greek word behind "Call (Kaleō)" matter?
Kaleō means 'to call,' 'to summon,' 'to invite,' or 'to name.' It covers a range from casual invitation to sovereign command. English uses one word, "Call (Kaleō)", where the Greek καλέω (kaleō) carries the fuller sense: to summon, invite, or name — god's sovereign invitation that creates what it declares.
Related Words
Related Reading
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Call (Kaleō) (καλέω (kaleō))
To summon, invite, or name — God's sovereign invitation that creates what it declares.
Strong's G2564 — Call (Kaleō)
καλέω (kaleō) • To summon, invite, or name — God's sovereign invitation that creates what it declares.
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