Theme: From wretchedness to reconciliation

Exegetical note
Paul's three "while we were (yet)" assertions in this selection underscore the utterly hopeless predicament of humanity before the atoning death of the Christ: helpless, sinners, enemies of God - in other words, completely undeserving of the reconciliation that God effected through that dramatic event. The entire selection may be regarded as an elaboration of the word "wretch" in the second line of the most beloved hymn that calls God's grace, appropriately, "amazing."

Call to Wor…