“enclosing” all people under sin (cf. Gal. 3:22–23; in the LXX: Exod. 14:3; Josh. 6:1; 1 Macc. 5:5; 6:18). Similarly, God’s graciousness in bestowing mercy on both Jews and gentiles is featured. Some scholars conclude that universalism is taught here, since the text says that God shut up “all” (πάντας, pantas) to disobedience in order to extend his mercy on πάντας.12 They argue that πάντας must have the same denotation in both parts of the verse and thus all people without exception are included.