Paul has been speaking of a blessed and privileged people for whom all the works of creation, providence and redemption have been ordered to accomplish their earthly and eternal good. He identifies these individuals as the people foreknown of God, that is, men and women loved before time, called and set apart in union with the Lord Jesus Christ under the terms of the everlasting covenant of grace and peace. God knows who are His Those foreknown of God were loved in the infinite wisdom of God and distinguished in the mind of the Almighty before the world was formed. With sovereign purpose the Father chose and ordained them individually, personally and particularly to be united to His Son and made holy in Him with…

We learned last week that God foreknew a people from eternity whom He determined, lovingly, wisely and unconditionally to honour and bless with glory and eternal life. We noted God’s foreknowledge is personal and distinguishing. It is not what but whom He did foreknow. These individuals are saved and called, Paul tells Timothy, ‘according to his (God’s) own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began’.