Roman custom seems to be in the background of the illustration, since there was no comparable Jewish custom. By this practice, boys of other families might be legally adopted and granted full rights and responsibilities. This is precisely what God did when He chose men who because of sin had no spiritual life. By God’s choice He made them His sons. Of course, the spiritual truth far outstrips the human illustration, for by regeneration God actually makes such persons His sons by nature through new
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