2 Timothy 1:9

who hath saved us Rather, who saved us; the -saving" and -calling" should both be referred to the same point of time viz. Baptism; and 2 Timothy 1:9-10 are compressed by the Prayer-Book Catechism into the sentence -he hath called me to this state of salvationthrough Jesus Christ our Saviour." See note 1 Timothy 2:4.

us Not limited to Paul and Timothy, but as in the parallel passage, Titus 3:5, embracing all the baptised, all who have -the faith of God's elect." See generally the note there. The -holy calling" here answers, in its twofold aspect of privilege and duty, to the -heirs of eternal life," and the -maintaining of good works," there.

not according to our works More exactly, Titus 3:5, -not by virtue of works, works in righteousness, which we did," but in accordance with His own purpose and free gift given to us in Christ Jesus in eternal times gone by; see note on the parallel clause Titus 1:3, where the phrase -eternal times" is explained, and the preposition -before." Theod. Mops. gives well the connecting thought which carries St Paul here from his appeal for boldness into another of his exulting Gospel anthems. -Take," he says in effect, -take great pains, bear long pains for a gift so great, so age-long."