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I. AS EXPRESSIVE OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER. Paul labours by variety and accumulation of phrases to show that in its entire manifestation it is of God and not of man. He calls attention to —

1. Its absoluteness. It is "according to the good pleasure of His will," i.e., an absolutely free impulse and act. No cause external to the Divine Being can be discovered to account for it.

2. Its sublime consistency and harmony.

II. AS AFFECTING HUMAN DESTINY.

1. It reveals itself in a gracious act, viz., the choice or adoption of men as its objects.

2. It sets before itself a grand moral aim.

3. It exerts a transforming power.

III. AS EVOKING GRATEFUL ADORATION (ver. 6). The objects of saving grace realizing the benefits it confers,

1. Bless God with their lips.

2. Glorify Him in their lives.

(A. F. Muir, M. A.)

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KJV: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

WEB: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;