John Volumes 1 & 2 MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set Quotes

“The doctrines of divine sovereignty (that God elected sinners for salvation in eternity past) and human responsibility (that sinners are held accountable for how they respond to the gospel) are both clearly taught in Scripture, and play an important role in this passage. Without apology or excuse, the Bible teaches that the Father “chose [believers] in Him [Jesus Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4; cf. Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1; 2 John 1). In eternity past, they were “predestined” for justification (Rom. 8:29), adoption (Eph. 1:5), and a heavenly inheritance (Eph. 1:11). Based on no merit or work of their own (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5), God “saved [believers] and called [them] with a holy calling,”
― John F. MacArthur Jr., John Volumes 1 & 2 MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set