Quick Definition
κλητός, ή, όν Adj called, summoned
Strong's Definition
invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint
Derivation: from the same as G2821 (κλῆσις);
KJV Usage: called
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
adjc. | -ή, -όν | καλέω
33.314 · Communication · Call
called pertaining to having been called As in the case of the translation of meanings in 33.312 and 33.313, it may be necessary likewise to make certain semantic adjustments in the translation of κλητός[a] . For example, the phrase in ROM 1:1 may be rendered as ‘urgently invited to be an apostle’ or even ‘summoned and commissioned to be an apostle.’
ROM 1:1 · ROM 1:6 · ROM 1:7 · ROM 8:28 · 1CO 1:1 · 1CO 1:2 · 1CO 1:24 · JUD 1:1 · REV 17:14
33.318 · Communication · Invite
invited pertaining to having been invited It is possible that this expression in MAT 22:14 was a common popular saying, namely, an adage. There are certain problems in the understanding of this adage in MAT 22:14, for it would seem as though many persons are invited to do something, but few are permitted to do it. Perhaps this should be understood in the sense of ‘many are invited to apply, but few are selected.’ In this context, of course, both the invitation and the selection would be by God.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κλητός, -ή, -dv, (καλέω), [fr. Hom. down], called, invited, (to a banquet, [1 K. i. 41,49]; 3 Mace. v.14; Aeschin. 50,1); in the N. T. a. invited (by God in the proclamation of the gospel) to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God through Christ (see καλέω, 1 b. B. [ef. W. 35 (34)]): Ro. viii. 28; 1 Co. i. 24; Jude 1; κλητοὶ k. ἐκλεκτοὶ κι πιστοί, Rey. xvii. 14; κλητοί and ἐκλεκτοί are distinguished (see ἐκλεκτός, 1 a.) in Mt. xx. 16 [T W Hom. Tr br. the el.]; xxii. 14, a distinction which does not agree with Paul’s view (see καλέω, τι. s.; [ Weiss, Bibl. Theol. ὃ 88; Bp. Lght/t. Com. on Col. iii. 12]) ; κλητοὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, gen. of possessor [W. 195 (183); B. § 132, 23], devoted to Christ and united to him, Ro.i. 6; κλητοὶ ἅγιοι, holy (or ‘ saints’) by the calling of God, Ro. i. 7; 1 Co. ie b. called to (the discharge of) some office: κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, i. 6. divinely selected and appointed (see καλέω, τι. s.), Ro. 1. 1; 1 Co. i. 1 [L br. «A.J; ef. Gal. i. 15.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κλητός klētos 10x
called, invited, in NT called to privileges or function, Mt. 20:16; 22:14; Rom. 1:1, 6, 7; 8:28; 1 Cor. 1:1, 2, 24; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
κλητός, -ή, -όν
(< καλέω), [in LXX for קרא, מִקְרָא, Ex 12:16, al.;]
called, invited (as to a banquet, Æsch., I Ki 1:41, III Mac 5:14); in NT, always of the Divine call; to some office: κ. ἀπόστολος, Ro 1:1, I Co 1:1;
to salvation: Ro 8:28, I Co 1:24, Ju 1; κ. καὶ ἐκλεκτοὶ κ. πιστοί, Re 17:14; in gosp. (not in pl., v.s. καλέω) disting. fr.ἐκλεκτός, Mt 20:16 (WH, txt., R, omit), 22:14; κ. Ἰησοῦ Χρ., Ro 1:6; κ. ἅγιοι, saints by calling, Ro 1:7, I Co 1:2.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κλητός is found in P Amh II. 79° (c. A.p. 186), but unfortunately in a much mutilated context. The way is prepared for the NT usage (see Lightfoot on Col 3135) by the mention of the “‘ouests ’ (ot κλητοί) of Adonijah in 1 Kings 14449. Slaten (Qualztative Nouns, p. 57) throws out the conjecture that κλητός was a cult term adopted by the Christians from the terminology of the Greek mysteries, but he offers no evidence. As bringing out that ot κλητοί, as distinguished from ot κεκλημένοι, denotes that the call has been obeyed, we may cite Cl. Alex. Strom. I. 89. 3 (p. 57, ed. Stahlin) πάντων τοίνυν ἀνθρώπων κεκλημένων οἱ ὑπακοῦσαι βουληθέντες ᾿ κλητοὶ ᾿ ὠνομάσθησαν.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
κλητός (klētos) — called. κλητ-ός, ή, όν, invited, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; welcome, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
2. called out, chosen, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
3. invoked, [Refs]
4. summoned to court, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
II. substantive κλητή (i.e. ἐκκλησία), ἡ, convocation, [LXX]