2 Timothy 1 · Verse 9

2 Timothy 1:9

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,

2 Timothy 1:9, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:9 in other translations

BSB	He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
WEB	who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
ASV	who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
YLT	who did save us, and did call with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the times of the ages,
DARBY	who has saved us, and has called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time,
BBE	Who gave us salvation, marking us out for his purpose, not on account of our works, but in the measure of his purpose and his grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Webster	Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began;

What does 2 Timothy 1:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. Who ... called us--namely, God the Father (Ga 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" (Ro 8:28-30). holy calling--the actual call to a life of holiness. He 3:1, "heavenly calling" [Tittmann, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners and enemies (Ep 1:18; 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 (Ro 9:11; Ep 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 (Ep 1:4; 3:11). before the world began--Greek, "before the times (periods) of ages"; the enduring ages of which no end is contemplated (1Co 2:7; Ep 3:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. Who hath saved us. Mt 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. Rom 8:28; Rom 8:30.

With an holy calling. A calling which is in its own mature holy, and which leads to holiness. Comp. Eph 4:1; Php 3:14; Heb 3:1.

Not according to our works. Tit 3:6; Eph 2:8, Eph 2:9. 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. Rom 9:11; also Rom 9:12-13,16; Eph 1:4,6.

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. Comp. Rom 4:17.

(e) "saved us" Mt 1:21 (f) "called" Rom 8:28,30 (g) "not according" Tit 3:5 (h) "purpose" De 7:7,8 (i) "before" Eph 1:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:6-14

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:6-14 →

2 Timothy 1:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦtouthe [One who]G3588

σώσαντοςsōsantoshaving savedG4982

ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165

καὶkaiandG2532

καλέσαντοςkalesantoshaving called [us]G2564

κλήσειklēseiwith a callingG2821

ἁγίᾳ,hagiaholy,G40

οὐounotG3756

κατὰkataaccording toG2596

τὰtatheG3588

ἔργαergaworksG2041

ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165

ἀλλὰallabutG235

κατὰkataaccording toG2596

ἰδίανidian[His] ownG2398

πρόθεσινprothesinpurposeG4286

καὶkaiandG2532

χάρινcharingraceG5485

τὴνtēnwhichG3588

δοθεῖσανdotheisanhaving been givenG1325

ἡμῖνhēminusG3165

ἐνeninG1722

ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547

ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424

πρὸprobeforeG4253

χρόνωνchronōntimeG5550

αἰωνίων,aiōniōneternal,G166

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 1:9

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:4-5
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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;
Ephesians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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:
Romans 11:5-6
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Peter 2:20-21
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28-39
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. 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. 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. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? …
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Romans 9:11
(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;)

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

hath.
Mt 1:21; Ac 2:47; 1Co 1:18; Eph 2:5,8; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 3:4,5
called.
Ro 8:28,30; 9:24; 1Th 4:7; 2Th 2:13,14; Heb 3:1; 1Pe 1:15,16; 2:9
1Pe 2:20,21
not.
Ro 3:20; 9:11; 11:5,6; Eph 2:9; Tit 3:5
according to his.
De 7:7,8; Isa 14:26,27; Mt 11:25,26; Lu 10:21; Ro 8:28; Eph 1:9,11
which.
Joh 6:37; 10:28,29; 17:9; 1Co 3:21,22; Eph 1:3
before.
Joh 17:24; Ac 15:18; Ro 16:25; Eph 1:4; 3:11; Tit 1:2; 1Pe 1:20
Re 13:8; 17:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Timothy 1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Timothy 1:9
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,
2 Timothy 1:10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Que nos salvó y llamó con vocación santa, no conforme á nuestras obras, mas según el intento suyo y gracia, la cual nos es dada en Cristo Jesús antes de los tiempos de los siglos,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	qui nous a sauvés et nous a appelés d’un saint appel, non selon nos œuvres, mais selon son propre dessein, et sa propre grâce qui nous a été donnée dans le christ Jésus avant les temps des siècles,
German Elberfelder 1871	der uns errettet hat und berufen mit heiligem Rufe, nicht nach unseren Werken, sondern nach seinem eigenen Vorsatz und der Gnade, die uns in Christo Jesu vor den Zeiten der Zeitalter gegeben,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	qui nos liberavit, et vocavit vocatione sua sancta, non secundum opera nostra, sed secundum propositum suum, et gratiam, quæ data est nobis in Christo Jesu ante tempora sæcularia.