Bible Strands
2 Timothy 1:9
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy from imprisonment, urging him to share in gospel suffering without shame. The letter addresses a specific moment of institutional pressure and personal trial.
The words — σώσαντος (sōsantos) translates as "having saved," and κλήσει (klēsei) means "with a calling." The participle construction links divine rescue directly to the act of summoning believers.
The thread — The linkage of grace, salvation, and divine initiative appears in Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:4, and Ephesians 1:3. These passages collectively ground redemption in God's prior action rather than human merit.
Why it lands — The text states that salvation and holy calling originate in God's purpose and grace granted before time began, explicitly excluding human works as the basis. A reader must recognize that reliance on personal achievement contradicts the verse's explicit claim.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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,
Cross-references
- Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Titus 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
- Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.
- Romans 11:5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
- Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past
- 1 Peter 2:20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.