2 Timothy 1 9

2 Timothy 1:9 kjv

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 nkjv

who has 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 time began,

2 Timothy 1:9 niv

He has saved us and called us to a holy life?not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

2 Timothy 1:9 esv

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

2 Timothy 1:9 nlt

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time ? to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1 verses

2 Timothy 1 9 Meaning

2 Timothy 1:9 comprehensively states that salvation and our sacred calling originate entirely from God's divine initiative, not from any human effort or merit. This sovereign act is rooted in God's eternal purpose and undeserved favor (grace), which He freely bestowed upon believers in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. It highlights God's pre-existent plan and His unmerited love as the sole foundation for our redemption and spiritual journey.

2 Timothy 1 9 Context

2 Timothy 1:9 is a cornerstone verse in Paul's personal and pastoral encouragement to Timothy. It falls within a larger exhortation for Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul, but to join in suffering for the gospel. Paul is reminding Timothy of the unshakeable foundation of his faith and ministry, especially in light of the challenges and potential discouragement Timothy faces (e.g., defections of others mentioned in verse 15).

Historically, this letter is one of Paul's last, written while imprisoned (likely in Rome), sensing his impending martyrdom. Timothy, his protégé, is leading the church in Ephesus amidst false teachers, persecution, and the demanding responsibility of pastoring. Against this backdrop, Paul anchors Timothy's resolve in the secure, eternal purpose of God, providing theological bedrock for his perseverance. The verse directly contrasts reliance on human effort or circumstances with God's steadfast, pre-determined plan and abundant grace.

2 Timothy 1 9 Word analysis

• Who hath saved us: This refers to God as the Divine Agent of salvation. The verb "hath saved" (ἔσωσεν, esōsen) is in the aorist tense, denoting a completed past action with ongoing results. It signifies God's decisive act of rescuing believers from sin, its penalty, and its power, ushering them into eternal life. This emphasizes God's initiative and the finished work of redemption.
• and called us: (καλέσαντος, kalesantos) God not only saved but also summoned us. This "calling" is not merely an invitation but an efficacious summons that draws individuals to Himself. It implies a divine summons to salvation and a new life in Christ, separating believers unto God for His purpose.
• with an holy calling: (κλήσει ἁγίᾳ, klēsei hagia) This signifies that the calling is set apart by God Himself, consecrated, and leading to holiness. It is not a common or mundane call, but a sacred and purposeful summons from God. This "calling" establishes a new relationship and a specific destiny: to be consecrated and separated for God's glory and service.
• not according to our works: (οὐ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα ἡμῶν, ou kata ta erga hēmōn) This is a critical theological statement. "Works" (ἔργα, erga) refers to human efforts, achievements, or deeds, whether ritualistic, moral, or legalistic. The phrase unequivocally asserts that salvation and the holy calling are entirely independent of human merit or any acts of righteousness performed by us. It starkly rejects any basis for boasting or self-justification.
• but according to his own purpose and grace: (ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἰδίαν πρόθεσιν καὶ χάριν, alla kata idian prothesin kai charin)
  • his own purpose: (ἰδίαν πρόθεσιν, idian prothesin) This points to God's independent, sovereign, and pre-determined plan or resolve. It underscores that God's plan is not reactive to human action but proactive, originating solely within His divine will and wisdom. It's a deep counsel formed within God's own mind.
  • and grace: (καὶ χάριν, kai charin) This is unmerited favor. Grace is the outflow of God's benevolent disposition towards humanity, especially the undeserving. It is God's spontaneous, free, and unmerited favor toward the guilty and helpless, being the basis for our salvation and calling. It is diametrically opposed to "works."
• which was given us: (τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν, tēn dotheisan hēmin) The purpose and grace are not earned or achieved, but a divine gift, freely bestowed. The participle "given" indicates a completed act of divine bestowment.
• in Christ Jesus: (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, en Christō Iēsou) This highlights the sphere or person through whom this salvation, calling, purpose, and grace are realized and mediated. Christ Jesus is not merely the channel but the very embodiment and ground of this divine gift. Union with Christ is essential for experiencing these divine realities.
• before the world began: (πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων, pro chronōn aiōniōn) This signifies an eternal decree, preceding all temporal existence. It speaks of God's eternal plan formulated in eternity past, even before time or ages existed. This establishes the absolute timelessness and certainty of God's redemptive purpose, underscoring its immutable and eternal nature. It assures that God's plan for salvation and calling is not an afterthought, but was perfectly conceived from eternity.

2 Timothy 1 9 Bonus section

The order of operations implied in this verse is crucial: God's purpose and grace predate our calling and salvation. This divine order emphasizes the immutability and reliability of God's redemptive plan. The "holy calling" implies a separation for a sacred purpose, aligning the believer's life with God's pre-ordained will. This not only speaks to individual salvation but also informs the believer's role in the larger narrative of God's redemptive work in the world. The mention of "in Christ Jesus" being central suggests the Trinitarian aspect: the Father's eternal purpose enacted and embodied by the Son, with the Holy Spirit enabling the efficacious calling and giving of grace (though the Spirit isn't explicitly named here, His work is implied in the "holy calling"). This truth is meant to infuse resilience in the believer, knowing their standing is secured by an eternal decree, not fragile human effort.

2 Timothy 1 9 Commentary

2 Timothy 1:9 powerfully encapsulates the essence of the gospel. It reveals salvation and our sacred calling not as a human achievement, but as an exclusively divine initiative rooted in God's eternal plan and immeasurable grace. This profound truth liberated Timothy, and us, from the pressure of performance and self-reliance, offering firm ground for faith and perseverance amidst difficulty. The verse eradicates any notion of human boasting, affirming God's absolute sovereignty as the sole giver and initiator of redemption, meticulously planned in Christ before creation itself. This deep security should compel us to live out our calling with confidence and gratitude, trusting in His unchangeable purpose.