2 Timothy 1:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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,

Complete Jewish Bible:

since he delivered us and called us to a life of holiness as his people. It was not because of our deeds, but because of his own purpose and the grace which he gave to us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He did this before the beginning of time,

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Who{G3588} hath saved{G4982} us{G2248}, and{G2532} called{G2564} us with an holy{G40} calling{G2821}, not{G3756} according to{G2596} our{G2257} works{G2041}, but{G235} according to{G2596} his own{G2398} purpose{G4286} and{G2532} grace{G5485}, which{G3588} was given{G1325} us{G2254} in{G1722} Christ{G5547} Jesus{G2424} before{G4253} the world began{G5550}{G166},

Cross-References (KJV):

Ephesians 2:8

  • For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9

  • Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:4

  • But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3:5

  • 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

  • ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Ephesians 1:4

  • 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:

1 Peter 2:20

  • 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.

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Commentary for 2 Timothy 1:9

2 Timothy 1:9 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the second letter written by the Apostle Paul to his protégé Timothy. This verse encapsulates several key themes of Pauline theology and early Christian doctrine.

Historically, this letter is set during Paul's later years, possibly during his second imprisonment in Rome, around 64-67 AD. It is a period marked by the expansion of the early Christian church and the need for consolidation of faith and practice among new believers. Paul's letters to Timothy are considered pastoral, aiming to guide Timothy in his leadership role within the church at Ephesus.

Theologically, 2 Timothy 1:9 emphasizes the divine initiative in salvation. Paul speaks of God as the active agent who has saved believers and called them to a life of holiness. This calling is not based on human merit or achievements ("not according to our works"), but rather on God's predetermined plan and unmerited favor ("according to his own purpose and grace"). The verse underscores the doctrine of grace, which is central to Christian soteriology—the study of salvation. It reflects the belief that salvation is a gift from God, available through faith in Jesus Christ, and is not something that can be earned or deserved.

Furthermore, the verse hints at the concept of predestination, suggesting that God's grace was given in Christ Jesus before the world began, indicating that God's salvific plan was established even before creation. This idea is foundational to the understanding of God's sovereignty in the unfolding of human history and in the personal lives of believers.

In summary, 2 Timothy 1:9 conveys the heart of Paul's message about God's grace as the foundation of Christian salvation, the call to a holy life, and the eternal nature of God's purposes, which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This verse serves as an encouragement to Timothy and to all believers to remain steadfast in their faith, secure in the knowledge that their salvation is grounded in God's eternal grace and not in their own deeds.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G3588
    There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma:
    Transliteration: ho
    Pronunciation: to
    Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
  2. Strong's Number: G4982
    There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σώζω
    Transliteration: sṓzō
    Pronunciation: sode'-zo
    Description: from a primary (contraction for obsolete , "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
  3. Strong's Number: G2248
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμᾶς
    Transliteration: hēmâs
    Pronunciation: hay-mas'
    Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
  4. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  5. Strong's Number: G2564
    There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καλέω
    Transliteration: kaléō
    Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
    Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
  6. Strong's Number: G40
    There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἅγιος
    Transliteration: hágios
    Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
    Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
  7. Strong's Number: G2821
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κλῆσις
    Transliteration: klēsis
    Pronunciation: klay'-sis
    Description: from a shorter form of καλέω; an invitation (figuratively):--calling.
  8. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
  9. Strong's Number: G2596
    There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κατά
    Transliteration: katá
    Pronunciation: kat-ah'
    Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
  10. Strong's Number: G2257
    There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμῶν
    Transliteration: hēmōn
    Pronunciation: hay-mone'
    Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
  11. Strong's Number: G2041
    There are 161 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔργον
    Transliteration: érgon
    Pronunciation: er'-gon
    Description: from a primary (but obsolete) (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.
  12. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
  13. Strong's Number: G2398
    There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἴδιος
    Transliteration: ídios
    Pronunciation: id'-ee-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate:--X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own).
  14. Strong's Number: G4286
    There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρόθεσις
    Transliteration: próthesis
    Pronunciation: proth'-es-is
    Description: from προτίθεμαι; a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God:--purpose, shew(-bread).
  15. Strong's Number: G5485
    There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χάρις
    Transliteration: cháris
    Pronunciation: khar'-ece
    Description: from χαίρω; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).
  16. Strong's Number: G1325
    There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δίδωμι
    Transliteration: dídōmi
    Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
  17. Strong's Number: G2254
    There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμῖν
    Transliteration: hēmîn
    Pronunciation: hay-meen'
    Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.
  18. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
  19. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
  20. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
  21. Strong's Number: G4253
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρό
    Transliteration: pró
    Pronunciation: pro
    Description: a primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to:--above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same significations.
  22. Strong's Number: G5550
    There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χρόνος
    Transliteration: chrónos
    Pronunciation: khron'-os
    Description: of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from καιρός, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from αἰών, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.
  23. Strong's Number: G166
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἰώνιος
    Transliteration: aiṓnios
    Pronunciation: ahee-o'-nee-os
    Description: from αἰών; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).