Does 2 Timothy 1:9 say salvation is based on our works or God's purpose and grace?
2 Timothy 1:9 declares that God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, revealing salvation rests on God's eternal purpose, not human effort.
Les explains that 2 Timothy 1:9 is speaking of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. He notes how that word keeps coming in: it was not according to our works, but according to His own purpose, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. Les calls this mind-boggling—the eternal purpose of the Creator God, who created everything for His own purpose, that everything would redound to His glory. Yet we work into that purpose by being recipients of His grace and mercy, and we are made partakers of it all by simple faith in the gospel. Les says it is past finding out and past human understanding, but the Bible teaches it, and we better believe it.
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,
More Questions
Is God's calling based on our works or on His own purpose and grace?
God called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace — we did not arrive at salvation by our own effort or willing.