of election when he used this language. God created a special bond with the Jews, as his chosen people. He defined a relationship of faithfulness and love with them, and he appointed them for the holy task of representing his glory to the other nations of the world (Deut. 14:2 LXX; cf. Neh. 9:7; Isa. 14:1; Acts 13:17). Paul extended this idea of being chosen to anyone, Jew or Gentile, who was “in Christ.” Paul used the phrase “in him” (ἐν αὐτῷ) to refer to Christ. Some have surmised that the primary