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elected ; when he brings forth fruit in faith, he confirms that calling and election in his own case : if he returns to faith, and believing falls asleep, he returns to his state of election, and as one elected falls asleep. And these xar pre-eminently,
are the men who are elected and foreknown. Election relates either to peoples or individuals. The question here and in Ez. xx. 5 : also Acts xviii. 10 ; 1 Thess. i. 4 : is concerning the election of a people ; and this species of election in a greater de- gree falls under the distinct perceptions of men that are believers, than the election of individuals ; for some individuals of the people may fall away, and yet the breadth of calling and election [i.e. the calling viewed in its comprehension of the whole people as such] may be equally preserved. The election of some outside of the church is a Thing Reserved for God Himself, and must not be tried by the rule of the preaching of the Gospel.1 — roiig aopoig, the wise) In the masculine to express a very beautiful idea ;2 the rest are neuter, as all standing in opposition to roiig aopoug, yea even foolish things. — xaraiayjjv^ might put to shame [confound]) This word is twice repeated ; we have afterwards, might bring to nought [ver. 28]. By both of these words glorying [ver. 29, 31] is taken away, whether the subject of boasting be more or less voluntary.
28. T a ovra , the things that are not) A genus, under which
are included things base and despised , as also things foolish and weak. There is therefore an apposition, to the whole of which is opposed this one phrase, which are. — ra ovra) which are some- thing.
29. "Orwg /A?}, that not) The antithesis to, that , ver. 31. — naaa trapg, all flesh) a suitable appellation ; flesh is beautiful and yet frail, Is. xl. 6. — Ivukiovj before) We may not glory before Him, but in Him.
30. ’Eg a vrovf of Him) Ye are of God , not now any longer of the world , Rom. xi. 36 ; Eph. ii. 8. — v/jjsTgy ye) An antithesis to many , ver. 26. Those persons themselves, whom the apostle addresses, yey were not the many wise men according to the flesh , etc. — lari lv Xpiarfi Ttj<toD, ye are in Christ Jesus) ye are Chris-
1 Which restricts salvation to them that believe. — Ed.
2 Viz., That even things (and, those too, foolish things) are chosen by God to confound persons (and, those too, persons who are wise). — Ed.