likely that the three prepositional phrases in v. 2 modify it.18 The term “elect,” as we noted, is a common one for Israel as God’s people. As an adjective it still carries significant weight in the sentence, and the prepositional phrases in v. 2 yield the most normal sense if they modify the word “elect.” The word “foreknowledge” (prognōsis) could simply mean that God foresaw whom would be his elect or chosen.19 No one doubts, of course, that such an idea is included. The question is whether
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