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.
He has saved us
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative in the process of salvation. The Greek word for "saved" is "sōzō," which means to deliver or preserve. In the historical context of the early church, salvation was understood as a rescue from sin and eternal separation from God. This act of saving is entirely attributed to God's grace and power, not human effort, underscoring the conservative Christian belief in salvation by grace through faith.

and called us to a holy calling
The term "called" comes from the Greek "kaleō," indicating a divine invitation or summons. This calling is not just any calling but a "holy" one, set apart for God's purposes. The historical context of the early church was one of persecution and challenge, making this calling both a privilege and a responsibility. The conservative perspective sees this as a call to live a life that reflects God's holiness, distinct from the world.

not because of our works
This phrase highlights the doctrine of grace, emphasizing that salvation and calling are not based on human merit. The Greek word for "works" is "ergon," referring to deeds or actions. In the scriptural context, this refutes any notion of earning salvation through human effort, aligning with the conservative view that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human achievement.

but by His own purpose and by the grace
Here, "purpose" (Greek "prothesis") refers to God's intentional plan and design. The phrase underscores that God's actions are deliberate and rooted in His sovereign will. "Grace" (Greek "charis") is the unmerited favor of God, a central theme in Christian theology. This aligns with the conservative belief that God's grace is the foundation of salvation, highlighting His benevolent character and sovereign plan.

He granted us in Christ Jesus
The phrase "in Christ Jesus" is pivotal, indicating the sphere in which God's grace and purpose are realized. The preposition "in" (Greek "en") signifies a close, personal union with Christ. Historically, this reflects the early church's understanding of being united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The conservative perspective emphasizes the centrality of Christ in salvation, affirming that all spiritual blessings are found in Him.

before time began
This phrase speaks to the eternal nature of God's plan. The Greek term "pro chronōn aiōniōn" translates to "before times eternal," indicating that God's purpose and grace were established before the creation of the world. This aligns with the conservative view of God's omniscience and sovereignty, affirming that His plan of salvation is not a reaction to human sin but an eternal purpose rooted in His divine wisdom and love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and encouragement.

2. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of Paul, recipient of the letter, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus.

3. Christ Jesus
Central figure of the Christian faith, through whom salvation and calling are granted.

4. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and challenges to the early church.

5. God's Purpose and Grace
The divine plan and unmerited favor that are central themes in this passage.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our Calling
Recognize that our calling is holy and set apart, not based on our merit but on God's purpose and grace.

Grace Before Time
Reflect on the profound truth that God's grace was granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, emphasizing His eternal plan.

Living Out Our Calling
As recipients of a holy calling, we are to live lives that reflect God's purpose, pursuing holiness and righteousness.

Rejecting Works-Based Salvation
Embrace the truth that our salvation is not earned by works but is a gift of grace, leading to freedom and gratitude.

Confidence in God's Plan
Trust in God's sovereign purpose for our lives, knowing that He has called us according to His perfect will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding that our calling is based on God's purpose and grace, rather than our works, impact your daily life and decisions?

2. In what ways can you live out your "holy calling" in your current context, whether at work, home, or in your community?

3. How does the concept of grace granted "before time began" influence your view of God's sovereignty and eternal plan?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to reject a works-based mindset and fully embrace salvation by grace?

5. How can you encourage others in your faith community to understand and live out their calling as described in 2 Timothy 1:9?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 2:8-9
This passage emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, not by works, aligning with the message in 2 Timothy 1:9.

Romans 8:28-30
Discusses God's purpose and calling, highlighting predestination and the assurance of salvation.

1 Peter 2:9
Describes believers as a chosen people, called to declare God's praises, reflecting the holy calling mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:9.

Titus 3:5
Reinforces the concept of salvation not by works but by God's mercy, similar to the message in 2 Timothy 1:9.
A Holy CallingSpeaker's Commentary2 Timothy 1:9
A Holy CallingJ. Barlow, D. D.2 Timothy 1:9
Christianity a Holy Religion2 Timothy 1:9
Effectual CallingT. Boston, D. D.2 Timothy 1:9
Effectual Calling, with its FruitsD. Noel.2 Timothy 1:9
God's CallH. C. G. Moule, M. A.2 Timothy 1:9
God's Plan for Man's SalvationSamuel Luke.2 Timothy 1:9
Grace and Free WillW. Baxendale.2 Timothy 1:9
Grace Does not Lightly EsteemAnon.2 Timothy 1:9
Salvation Altogether by GraceC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:9
Salvation by Grace2 Timothy 1:9
The People of God Effectually Called in TimeW. Wilkinson, B. A.2 Timothy 1:9
The Sovereign Grace of God2 Timothy 1:9
Address and SalutationR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 1:1-14
The Power of God in the Salvation Manifested by Jesus Christ to the WorldT. Croskery 2 Timothy 1:9-11
People
Christians, Eunice, Hermogenes, Lois, Onesiphorus, Paul, Phygellus, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Ephesus, Rome
Topics
Accordance, Account, Ages, Ago, Anything, Beginning, Bestowed, Calling, Christ, Commencement, Desserts, Eternal, Eternity, Free, Grace, Granted, Holy, Marking, Measure, Purpose, Salvation, Save, Saved, Virtue, Works
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 1:9

     1065   God, holiness of
     1115   God, purpose of
     2018   Christ, divinity
     2027   Christ, grace and mercy
     4065   orderliness
     4909   beginning
     5635   work, and redemption
     6620   calling
     6639   election, to salvation
     6745   sanctification, nature and basis
     7024   church, nature of
     8106   assurance, nature of
     8125   guidance, promise
     8266   holiness
     8270   holiness, set apart
     8348   spiritual growth, nature of

2 Timothy 1:8-9

     8426   evangelism, motivation

2 Timothy 1:8-10

     6668   grace, and Christ

2 Timothy 1:9-10

     1055   God, grace and mercy
     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     6203   mortality
     6512   salvation, necessity and basis
     8135   knowing God, nature of
     9122   eternity, and God

Library
The Form of Sound Words
The Apostle most earnestly admonished Timothy to "hold fast the form of sound words which he had heard of him in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." I do not suppose that by this it is intended that Paul ever wrote out for Timothy a list of doctrines; or that he gave him a small abstract of divinity, to which he desired him to subscribe his name, as the articles of the church over which he was made a pastor. If so, doubtless the document would have been preserved and enrolled in the canons
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Christianity
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? WHAT is Christianity? The question seems a belated one. It never was more pertinent than now. Its pertinency rests upon two facts. First: the modern drift in Christianity and its absolute failure. Second: the phenomenal triumph of primitive Christianity. The modern drift is antagonistic to doctrine and repudiates the miraculous. It sets aside the virgin birth, has no toleration for atonement by sacrificial death, and positively refuses to accept the bodily resurrection of our
I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible

The Seventh Word from the Cross
While all the words of dying persons are full of interest, there is special importance attached to the last of them. This is the Last Word of Jesus; and both for this reason and for others it claims particular attention. A noted Englishman is recorded to have said, when on his deathbed, to a nephew, "Come near and see how a Christian can die." Whether or not that was a wise saying, certainly to learn how to die is one of the most indispensable acquirements of mortals; and nowhere can it be learnt
James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Abaelard had Defined Faith as an Opinion or Estimate: Bernard Refutes This.
Abaelard had defined faith as an opinion or estimate: Bernard refutes this. 9. It is no wonder if a man who is careless of what he says should, when rushing into the mysteries of the Faith, so irreverently assail and tear asunder the hidden treasures of godliness, since he has neither piety nor faith in his notions about the piety of faith. For instance, on the very threshold of his theology (I should rather say his stultology) he defines faith as private judgment; as though in these mysteries it
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Elucidations.
(Dinocrates, cap. ii. p. 701.) The avidity with which the Latin controversial writers seize upon this fanciful passage, (which, in fact, is subversive of their whole doctrine about Purgatory, as is the text from the Maccabees) makes emphatic the utter absence from the early Fathers of any reference to such a dogma; which, had it existed, must have appeared in every reference to the State of the Dead, and in every account of the discipline of penitents. Arbp. Usher [9011] ingeniously turns the tables
Tertullian—The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the Church.
Text: Ephesians 3, 13-21. 13. Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 and that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and Love one Another. "
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another." It is a common doctrine often declared unto you, that the most part of those who hear the gospel do run, in their pretended course to heaven, either upon a rock of dashing discouragement, or the sands of sinking presumption. These are in all men's mouths; and no question they are very dangerous, so hazardous, as many fools make shipwreck either of the faith, or a good
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Communion of Saints.
"The Saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake." The history of the extension of the Church of Christ from one land to another, and of the successive victories won by the Cross over heathen races from age to age, gives by itself a very imperfect idea of the meaning of the words "The Holy Catholic Church." Because, with the outward extension of the Church, its influence upon the inner man needs always to be considered.
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
Pastor, for the round of toil See the toiling soul is fed; Shut the chamber, light the oil, Break and eat the Spirit's bread; Life to others would'st thou bring? Live thyself upon thy King. Let me explain in this first sentence that when in these pages I address "my Younger Brethren," I mean brethren in the Christian Ministry in the Church of England. Let me limit my reference still further, by premising that very much of what I say will be said as to brethren who have lately taken holy Orders,
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Predestination and Calling
Eternal Father, who shall look Into thy secret will? None but the Lamb shall take the book, And open every seal. None but he shall ever unroll that sacred record and read it to the assembled world. How then am I to know whether I am predestinated by God unto eternal life or not? It is a question in which my eternal interests are involved; am I among that unhappy number who shall be left to live in sin and reap the due reward of their iniquity; or do I belong to that goodly company, who albeit that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Twelfth Day for the Spirit to Convince the World of Sin
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit to convince the World of Sin "I will send the Comforter to you. And He, when He is come, will convict the world in respect of sin."--JOHN xvi. 7, 8. God's one desire, the one object of Christ's being manifested, is to take away sin. The first work of the Spirit on the world is conviction of sin. Without that, no deep or abiding revival, no powerful conversion. Pray for it, that the gospel may be preached in such power of the Spirit, that men may see that they have
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Pastor in Parish (I. ).
Master, to the flock I speed, In Thy presence, in Thy name; Show me how to guide, to feed, How aright to cheer and blame; With me knock at every door; Enter with me, I implore. We have talked together about the young Clergyman's secret life, and private life, and his life in (so to speak) non-clerical intercourse with others, and now lastly of his life as it stands related to his immediate leader in the Ministry. In this latter topic we have already touched the great matter which comes now at
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we have Seen with Our Eyes, which we have Looked Upon, and Our Hands Have
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." It is the great qualification of a disciple, or hearer, to be attentive and docile, to be capable of teaching, and to apply the mind seriously to it. It is much to get the ear of a man. If his ear be gotten, his mind is the more easily gained. Therefore, those who professed eloquence, and studied to persuade men to any
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Prefatory Scripture Passages.
To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.-- Isa. viii. 20. Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.--Jer. vi. 16. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

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