Annotation CCLXXXV

”He chose us before the constitution of the world.” — Ephesians 1:4

Whether election [is] from foreseen merits.

Chrysostom, [in] the first homily on the Ephesians, says that, as men choose the best [things] for themselves, so much more does God choose the best [things] for himself. And [in] the second homily on the Ephesians, upon that [text], “He predestined us,” he adds: “HE PREDESTINED, or predefined, men according to the works which he foresaw in them, whom he had chosen. Whence the grace of election is not only from God, but is [also] from us.” Which sentence seems to savor somewhat of the Pelagian. But concerning the understanding of these [sayings] it has been said by us [in] Annotation 251.