2 Timothy 1:9
What does 2 Timothy 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 1:9 means
Paul grounds the call to suffer in the gospel’s nature: God saved and called believers with a holy calling, not because of their works but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given in Christ Jesus “before times eternal,” showing that salvation rests on God’s timeless plan, not human merit. The call is holy, setting believers apart for God’s service. Since salvation is God’s work from start to finish, Timothy can endure, knowing his life and ministry rest on a sure foundation. Suffering for such a calling is not meaningless; it aligns with God’s gracious design. Grace that began before time secures strength for trials within time.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who 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
King James Version · 1611Who 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who gave us salvation, marking us out for his purpose, not on account of our works, but in the measure of his purpose and his grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did save us, and did call with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the times of the ages,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who has saved us, and has called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to [his] own purpose and grace, which [was] given to us in Christ Jesus before [the] ages of time,
Context
This verse expands the theological base for verse 8’s command to suffer for the gospel. It anticipates verse 10, where Christ’s appearing reveals the grace planned from eternity. The emphasis on God’s initiative prepares for Paul’s confidence in his own suffering (verse 12). The argument is pastoral: doctrine sustains endurance. By affirming a holy calling grounded in grace, Paul aims to quiet timidity and energize faithfulness. This will lead to Timothy’s charge to hold the pattern of sound words and guard the deposit (verses 13–14).
v.8Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;
v.9This passage
v.10but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 15:18
Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
- Ephesians 2:5
even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),
- 1 Peter 1:20
who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake,
- Matthew 11:25
At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
- Luke 10:21
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
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