“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ,”
My Notes
What Does 2 Timothy 1:9 Mean?
Paul describes salvation with radical clarity: God saved us and called us with a holy calling — not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
The salvation and the calling are both divine initiative. Not earned through works. Given according to purpose and grace. The basis is God's decision, not your performance.
"Before the world began" pushes the plan back past creation. The grace given to you in Christ was decided before the universe existed. Your salvation was not a reaction to your sin. It was a plan established in eternity.
"Not according to our works" eliminates every human contribution. The calling is holy. The basis is grace. The timing is eternal. And your works had nothing to do with any of it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does salvation being 'not according to our works' free you from performance anxiety?
- 2.What does 'before the world began' mean for the security of your salvation?
- 3.How does God's 'own purpose and grace' as the basis change your understanding of why you were saved?
- 4.Where are you still trying to earn what was given by grace before time?
Devotional
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling. Saved — past tense, completed. Called — with a calling that is holy, set apart, divinely originated. Both gifts. Both from God.
Not according to our works. Your works did not trigger the saving. Your performance did not earn the calling. The basis was never you.
But according to his own purpose and grace. His purpose. His grace. Both his — originating in his character, flowing from his decision, rooted in his eternal plan. The salvation is as personal to God as it is to you.
Which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Before. Before creation. Before time. Before you existed. The grace was given to you in Christ before the world was spoken into existence. Your salvation was planned in eternity past.
That means your salvation is not fragile. It is not contingent on your consistency. It is rooted in a decision God made before you were born — before the world was born. The purpose and grace are eternal. And what is eternal does not expire.
You are saved and called. Not by works. By grace. Given before the world began. That is the most secure position in the universe.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Who hath saved us, and called us,.... And therefore should not be ashamed of his Gospel, but should readily partake of…
Who hath saved us; - See the notes at Mat 1:21. He has brought us into a state in which salvation is so certain, that…
Who hath saved us - From sin; the spirit of bondage, and all tormenting fear. This is the design of the Gospel.
And…
Here is an exhortation and excitation of Timothy to his duty (Ti2 1:6): I put thee in remembrance. The best men need…
who hath saved us Rather, who saved us; the -saving" and -calling" should both be referred to the same point of time…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture