Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 1:9

"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," — 2 Timothy 1:9 (ASV)

Paul’s personal testimony begins with a confession that God saved him and called him “to a holy life.” Paul typically says that believers are called to a life of holiness (see 1 Thessalonians 4:7).

The next part of this verse picks up Paul’s central theme in Romans—“not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace... given us in Christ Jesus.” Grace (GK 5921) is central to his theology; only through grace can we be united with Christ. This grace was given to us long before we were born.