Ver. 4. +Even as He chose us in Him.+--Whatever be the manifestation of the Divine goodness, it is _"in Christ"_ that it is made. "This sentence traces back the state of grace and Christian piety to the eternal and independent electing love of God" (_Cremer_). There is always the connotation of some not chosen. +Before the foundation of the world.+--St. Paul, like Esaias, "is very bold." His Master had only said "from," not "before," the foundation (Matt. xxv. 34), reserving the "before" for the dim eternity in which He was the sharer, with the eternal Spirit, of the Father's love (John xvii. 24). +Without blemish+ (R.V.), or, in one word, "immaculate." A sacrificial term generally; used by St. Peter (1 Pet. i. 19) to describe that "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world." This word serves to guard "holy," just before it; a separated (holy) people must also be a spotless people. Ver. 5. +Having predestinated us.+--By pointing as the R.V. margin does, we get Love Divine as the basis on which our foreordination rests. "There is no respect of persons with God," and so _arrière pensée_ in the invitation, "All that labour and are heavy laden." +Unto adoption as sons.+--The end, as regards man. Perhaps St. John's word goes more deeply into the heart of the mystery, "That we should be called the _children_ of God"--"_born_ of God." +Through Jesus Christ.+--Mediator of this and every implied blessing. +According to the good pleasure of His will.+--The word for "good pleasure" characterises the will as one whose intent is something good; the unhampered working of the will lies in the expression too. The measure of human privilege in the adoption is _according to_ the Divine Graciousness. Ver. 6. +To the praise of the glory of His grace.+--The ultimate end, "that God may be all in all." +Wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.+--The change in the R.V., considerable as it seems, turns on the rendering of one word, the meaning in the New Testament being "to bestow favour." Compare Luke i. 28 and the A.V. marginal alternative "much-graced." Chrysostom's beautiful interpretation must not be lightly rejected, "to make love-worthy"--just as if one were to make a sick or famished man into a beautiful youth, so has God made our soul beautiful and love-worthy for the angels and all saints and for Himself.