In an extended discussion of the Christological import of Proverbs 8, Athanasius argues that the phrases “before the ages” and “before the mountains were set in place” refer to God’s preparation of the economy of grace: “Being himself good and the lover of humanity, he prepared beforehand the economy of our salvation in his own Word, through whom he also created us, so that despite our falling through being deceived by the serpent, we would not remain utterly dead.” He appears to Ephesians 1:3-5 in support.

But how can this be? How can God predestine us before the world was created? He finds an anti-Arian answer: It must be that, as Proverbs 8 says, the Son Himself was “estabished as a foundation” before the creation, “having taken upon himself the dispensation for our sake.” Predestination is only possible, Augustine suggests, if God has an eternal Son who is an eternal Word and Will. Predestination make sense, he hints, only on a Trinitarian basis.