Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians

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“The middle voice emphasises in all the places, where ἐκλέξασθαι is used in the N. T., the relation of the person chosen to the special purpose of him who chooses. The ‘chosen’ are regarded not as they stand to others who are not chosen, but as they stand to the counsel of God Who works through them.” (Page 8)

“The partial gift—partial because it is limited by our present capacity—shews surely that to which it leads, and in which it will find its consummation. What we have received is a pledge of that which God has prepared for us as sons. When we gain our end, then creation also shall find deliverance from corruption and enter on ‘the freedom of the glory of the children of God,’ and all things shall declare the praise of their Maker and Redeemer. Rom. 8:18–25 is a pregnant commentary on the verse.” (Page 17)

“God not only chose us in Christ—He might have chosen us as His servants—but He also destined for us through Christ the right of sonship, bringing us into fellowship with Himself (εἰς αὐτόν); and this not in regard to our merits, but according to the good pleasure of His will, which is absolute and yet not arbitrary.” (Page 9)

“The divine blessing is regarded under three co-ordinate aspects (ἐν, ἐν, ἐν): ἐν π. εὐλογία, the atmosphere, as it were, by which it encompasses us; ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις, the order in which it is realised; ἐν Χριστῷ, the living Person in Whom it is centred.” (Page 6)

“Man’s freedom lies in the acceptance of God’s will as his will. The Apostle feels God’s purpose for him and welcomes it. All he does is (in purpose) the fulfilment of the will of God.” (Page 3)