those referenced here in v. 23 receive the designation “objects of mercy.” That is, they are still dehumanized objects, but at least they are the subjects of God’s compassion. And as objects, they have been subject to God’s formation. But because he anticipated their restoration, he worked (somehow) in their lives to prepare them to receive the salvation that comes through the gospel, even before they did so.72 Then what they are shown in v. 23 is “the riches” of God’s “glory.” It could be argued
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