the motivating cause of our election in Christ (Eph 1:5, 9 NIV), and eudokia is also employed in Matthew 11:26 and Luke 2:14. According to Paul’s argument in Romans 9, God’s prerogative to elect whom he will and to leave the rest in their just condemnation has been exercised all along, even within Israel. In this chapter, Paul clearly teaches that election is not based on anything in or foreseen in those who are chosen (vv. 9–13). Yet God is not unfair, since everyone is in a state of condemnation,
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