Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Who . . . called us--namely, God the Father (Galatians 1:6). The having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved us" comes before "called us" (Romans 8:28-30).
holy calling--the actual call to a life of holiness. Hebrews 3:1, "heavenly calling" [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners and enemies (Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 4:1). The call comes wholly from God and claims us wholly for God. "Holy" implies the separation of believers from the rest of the world unto God.
not according to--not having regard to our works in His election and calling of grace (Romans 9:11; Ephesians 2:8-9).
his own purpose--The origination of salvation was of His own purpose, flowing from His own goodness, not for works of ours coming first, but wholly because of His own gratuitous, electing love [THEODORET and CALVIN].
grace . . . given us--in His everlasting purpose, regarded as the same as when actually accomplished in due time.
in Christ--believers being regarded by God as IN HIM, with whom the Father makes the covenant of salvation (Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 3:11).
before the world began--Greek, "before the times (periods) of ages"; the enduring ages of which no end is contemplated (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:11).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Isaiah 42:1
Romans 8:27
Romans 8:29
Romans 9:33
Ephesians 1:4
1 Thessalonians 5:9
2 Thessalonians 1:11
2 Thessalonians 2:13
1 Timothy 1:1
1 Timothy 6:15
2 Timothy 1:8
2 Timothy 1:10
Titus 1:1
Titus 1:2
Titus 1:3
Titus 2:11
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