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Selected Verse: 2 Timothy 1:9 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Ti 1:9 |
King James |
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, |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Who . . . called us--namely, God the Father (Gal 1:6). The having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved us" comes before "called us" (Rom 8:28-30).
holy calling--the actual call to a life of holiness. Heb 3:1, "heavenly calling" [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners and enemies (Eph 1:18; Eph 4:1). The call comes wholly from God and claims us wholly for God. "Holy" implies the separation of believers from the rest of the world unto God.
not according to--not having regard to our works in His election and calling of grace (Rom 9:11; Eph 2:8-9).
his own purpose--The origination of salvation was of His own purpose, flowing from His own goodness, not for works of ours coming first, but wholly because of His own gratuitous, electing love [THEODORET and CALVIN].
grace . . . given us--in His everlasting purpose, regarded as the same as when actually accomplished in due time.
in Christ--believers being regarded by God as IN HIM, with whom the Father makes the covenant of salvation (Eph 1:4; Eph 3:11).
before the world began--Greek, "before the times (periods) of ages"; the enduring ages of which no end is contemplated (Co1 2:7; Eph 3:11). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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 Paul could speak of it as if it were already done.
And called us - see the notes at Rom 8:28, Rom 8:30.
With an holy calling - A calling which is in its own nature holy, and which leads to holiness; compare the Eph 4:1 note; Phi 3:14 note; Heb 3:1 note.
Not according to our works - Tit 3:5; notes, Eph 2:8-9. The idea is, that our own works have nothing to do in inducing God to call us. As, when we become Christians, he does not choose us because of our works, so the eternal purpose in regard to our salvation could not have been formed because he foresaw that we would perform such works as would be a reason why he should choose us. The whole arrangement was irrespective of our deserts.
But according to his own purpose and grace - see the Rom 9:11-13 notes, 16; Eph 1:4-5 notes.
Which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began - That is, which he intended to give us, for it was not then actually given. The thing was so certain in the divine purposes, that it might be said to be already done; compare the notes at Rom 4:17. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
saved
(See Scofield) - (Rom 1:16).
grace
Grace (in salvation). (Tit 2:11); (Rom 3:24).
(See Scofield) - (Joh 1:17). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Who hath saved us
Salvation is ascribed to God. See on our Savior, Ti1 1:1.
Called (καλέσαντος)
Comp. Ti1 6:12, and see Rom 8:30; Rom 9:11; Co1 1:9; Gal 1:6; Th1 2:12. It is Paul's technical term for God's summoning men to salvation. In Paul the order is reversed: called, saved.
With a holy calling (λκήσει ἁγίᾳ)
Κλῆσις, calling, often in Paul; but the phrase holy calling only here. In Paul, κλῆσις sometimes as here, with the verb καλεῖν to call, as Co1 7:20; Eph 4:1, Eph 4:4.
Purpose (πρόθεσιν)
See on Act 11:23; see on Rom 9:11.
Grace which was given (χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν)
Comp. Rom 12:3, Rom 12:6; Rom 15:15; Co1 3:10; Eph 3:8; Eph 4:7. The phrase only here in Pastorals.
Before the world began (πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων)
See additional note on Th2 1:9. In Pastorals the phrase only here and Tit 1:2. Not in Paul. Lit. before eternal times. If it is insisted that αἰώνιος means everlasting, this statement is absurd. It is impossible that anything should take place before everlasting times. That would be to say that there was a beginning of times which are from everlasting. Paul puts the beginnings of salvation in God's purpose before the time of the world (Co1 2:7; Pe1 1:20); and Christ's participation in the saving counsels of God prior to time, goes with the Pauline doctrine of Christ's preexistence. The meaning, therefore, of this phrase is rightly given in A.V.: before the world began, that is, before time was reckoned by aeons or cycles. Then, in that timeless present, grace was given to us in God's decree, not actually, since we did not exist. The gift planned and ordered in the eternal counsels is here treated as an actual bestowment. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Who hath saved us - By faith. The love of the Father, the grace of our Saviour, and the whole economy of salvation, are here admirably described. Having called us with an holy calling - Which is all from God, and claims us all for God. According to his own purpose and grace - That is, his own gracious purpose. Which was given us - Fixed for our advantage, before the world began. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Who hath saved us - From sin; the spirit of bondage, and all tormenting fear. This is the design of the Gospel.
And called us with a holy calling - Invited us to holiness and comfort here; and to eternal glory hereafter.
Not according to our works - We have not deserved any part of the good we have received; and can never merit one moment of the exceeding great and eternal weight of glory which is promised. See the notes on the parallel passages.
Before the world began - Προ χρονων αιωνιων. Before the Mosaic dispensation took place, God purposed the salvation of the Gentiles by Christ Jesus; and the Mosaic dispensation was intended only as the introducer of the Gospel. The law was our schoolmaster unto Christ, Gal 3:24. See the parallel places, and the notes there. |
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.