and there. It is those who are the actual recipients of the blessings spoken of, viz. holiness, sonship, remission of sins, and eternal life.
We are said to be chosen Him; an expression which is variously explained. Some refer the pronoun to God, ‘ chosen us in himself ;’ which is contrary not only to the context but to the signification of the words ἐν αὐτῷ, Which is the received text. Others say the meaning is, ‘He hath chosen us because we are in him.’ The foresight of our faith or union with Christ, being the ground of this election. This however can- not be admitted. 1. Because faith, or a living union with Christ, is the very blessing to which we are chosen. 2. Because it introduces into the passage more than the words express. 3. Because in this im- mediate connection, as well as elsewhere, the ground of this election is declared to be the good plea- sure of God.—A third interpretation also supposes an ellipsis. The full expression would be: εἰς τὸ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ, Chosen us to be in Him; én zpso, vide- licet adoptandos, as Beza explains it. The objection ' to this is that it introduces more than the words con- tain, and that the end to which we are chosen is ex- pressed in the following clause, εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους. It is best therefore to take the words as they stand, and to inquire in what sense our election is in Christ. The purpose of election is very comprehensive. It is the purpose of God to bring his people to holiness, sonship, and eternal glory. He never intended to do this irre- spective of Christ. On the contrary it was his purpose,