2 Timothy 1:9

King James Version (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,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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, Galatians 3:24. See the parallel places, and the notes there.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Who hath saved us; - See the notes at Matthew 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 Romans 8:28, Romans 8:30.

With an holy calling - A calling which is in its own nature holy, and which leads to holiness; compare the Ephesians 4:1 note; Philemon 3:14 note; Hebrews 3:1 note.

Not according to our works - Titus 3:5; notes, Ephesians 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 Romans 9:11-13 notes, 16; Ephesians 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 Romans 4:17.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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 enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, who is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls. Those who cleave to the gospel, need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it, shall be ashamed. The apostle had trusted his life, his soul, and eternal interests, to the Lord Jesus. No one else could deliver and secure his soul through the trials of life and death. There is a day coming, when our souls will be inquired after. Thou hadst a soul committed to thee; how was it employed? in the service of sin, or in the service of Christ? The hope of the lowest real Christian rests on the same foundation as that of the great apostle. He also has learned the value and the danger of his soul; he also has believed in Christ; and the change wrought in his soul, convinces the believer that the Lord Jesus will keep him to his heavenly kingdom. Paul exhorts Timothy to hold fast the Holy Scriptures, the substance of solid gospel truth in them. It is not enough to assent to the sound words, but we must love them. The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself, and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us, to be preserved pure and entire, yet we must not think to keep it by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts, and lean to their own understandings.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

9. Who hath saved us. Verses 8-11 must be considered as one unit. The “power of God” alone could save men from their sinful habits. As long as men submit their wills to God their salvation is secure (see on Matt. 1:21).

Called. God desires all men to be saved (see on 1 Tim. 2:4). However, there are many who refuse God’s offer of salvation (see on Matt. 23:37).

With an holy calling. Or, “to a holy calling,” that is, to a life recognized for its irreproachableness. Compare on Rom. 1:7.

Not according to our works. That is, not on the basis of “our works.” Salvation by faith is one of the fundamental facts of the gospel Paul specially emphasized, because of the deceptive confidence of the Jews in the saving power of “the works of the law” (see on Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:19-24; Rom. 10:1-4; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Man has nothing to offer God as the basis of his salvation; he is helpless without the freely offered mercy of God.

His own purpose. Because of the very nature of love (see 1 John 4:9, 10) God took the initiative by purposing the salvation of sinners through the gift of His Son, “Christ Jesus.” For a more detailed discussion of God’s purposes see on Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-11.

Grace. See on Rom. 1:7; 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:3. God’s love, ever flowing to undeserving sinners, invites every man to accept the redemption provided in Christ (see on Rom. 3:23, 24; Eph. 2:4-10).

Before the world began. Gr. pro chronÅÂnaiÅÂniÅÂn, “before times eternal,” that is, before the long ages of this earth’s history. In His foreknowledge God was prepared to meet the tragedy and crisis of sin before it entered our world (see Rom. 16:25, 26; see on Matt. 25:34; 1 Cor. 2:7). Because of God’s omniscience, past, present, and future are alike known to Him; no earthly event can surprise Him. Knowing that sin would be a personal attack by created beings against His authority, and thus against His character, God was always prepared to demonstrate His love and fairness, not only to a sinless universe, but also before those who had despised divine love. See on John 1:14; 3:16; Rom. 5:5-10.

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Ellen G. White
In Heavenly Places, 28.6

The Lord desires us to be meek and lowly and contrite, yet filled with the assurance that comes from a knowledge of the will of God. He “hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.... Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace ...” (2 Timothy 1:7-9). HP 28.6

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Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 129

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. AG 129.1

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Ellen G. White
Our High Calling, 22.4

We have read an account of a noble prince who carried the picture of his father always near his heart and on important occasions when there was danger of forgetting him, he would take out the likeness and view it and say, “Let me do nothing unbecoming so excellent a father.” As Christians, God has claims upon us that we should never, never lose sight of for a moment; and as we are His children by adoption, how careful should we be that we retain His image and do nothing that will belittle or degrade our holy calling, for we rank among the royal family. God has made us as vessels unto honor, prepared unto every good work. “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” Isaiah 43:21. God's people are called a crown, a diadem. Satan would eagerly seize the Lord's treasure, but God has secured it so that Satan cannot obtain it. “Thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” Isaiah 62:3. We are secure, perfectly secure from the enemy's subtlety while we have unwavering trust in God.” OHC 22.4

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Ellen G. White
Our High Calling, 166.3

As brethren of our Lord, we are called with a holy calling to a holy, happy life. Having entered the narrow path of obedience, let us refresh our minds by communion with one another and with God. As we see the day of God approaching, let us meet often to study His Word and to exhort one another to be faithful unto the end. These earthly assemblies are God's appointed means by which we have opportunity to speak with one another and to gather all the help possible to prepare, in the right way, to receive in the heavenly assemblies the fulfillment of the pledges of our inheritance. OHC 166.3

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