Lenten Season · Second Sunday of Lent · Year A
2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Called to a Holy Life, Not by Our Own Works
March 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
"He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began." (2 Timothy 1:9)
Paul writes from prison, urging Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's chains but to bear his own share of hardship for it, relying on God's power rather than his own. The grace Paul describes was not earned and did not begin at anyone's conversion, it was fixed in God's plan before time began and has only now been revealed through Christ, who breaks the power of death and brings life into full light.
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Take it further: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Commentary
Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-14Commentary on 2 Tm 1:1-14 Working Preacher
A Luther Seminary commentary on the wider passage containing this Sunday's verses about God's call and grace.
2 Timothy 1:1-14 Commentary2 Tm 1:1-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on Timothy's call to guard the gospel through the Spirit's power.
2 Timothy 1 Commentary: A Spirit of Boldness2 Tm 1 Commentary: A Spirit of Boldness Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse by verse evangelical commentary on God's call to holiness apart from human works.
2 Timothy 1:1-7 Commentary2 Tm 1:1-7 Commentary Precept Austin
A detailed study page on the opening of the letter and the gift of God kept alive by the Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:8, classic commentators2 Tm 1:8, classic commentators BibleHub
Ellicott, Matthew Henry, and other historic commentators gathered on bearing hardship for the gospel.
The Second Sunday of Lent, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre walks through this exact verse, the call and grace given before time began, alongside the Transfiguration Gospel.
Background & Word Study
2 Timothy 1, Barnes' Notes2 Tm 1, Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the call to holiness and the grace given before the ages began.
2 Timothy, Chapter 1 (Douay-Rheims with Haydock)2 Tm, Chapter 1 (Douay-Rheims with Haydock) New Advent · Haydock
The Catholic text with Haydock's notes on Paul's charge to Timothy.
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