circumstance, modifying ἐξελέξατο, v. 4; contra Bratcher and Nida, 13, who take it as means). ἡμᾶς. Accusative direct object of προορίσας. εἰς υἱοθεσίαν. Purpose. Υἱοθεσίαν is a metaphor for salvation as an inheritance (cf. 1:11, 14). διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Intermediate agent, modifying υἱοθεσίαν (Lincoln, 25; cf. Gal 4:4–5). εἰς αὐτόν. Advantage. The phrase probably rounds off the mention of adoption and therefore modifies υἱοθεσίαν. The antecedent here is probably, not Christ,