2 Timothy 1:9
[It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, "to be dedicated people"], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].
Titus 1:2
[and provides] hope for never ending life. God, who cannot lie, promised this [life] before the beginning of time,
Romans 16:25
Now may there be glory for ever, through Jesus Christ, to the only wise God, who is able to make you stand firm [in the faith], according to the good news and proclamation of Jesus Christ. This message is the secret which was [eventually] revealed, after having been kept quiet about for long ages.
John 6:37
Every person [Note: The Greek says, "every thing"] whom the Father gives me will [eventually] come to me [i.e., for salvation]; and I will never turn away that person who comes to me.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For you have been saved by God's unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God.
1 Timothy 1:1
[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope [of never ending life. See Titus 3:7].
Titus 3:4-5
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared,
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers [and sisters], who have been called [by God] to share in heaven, think about Jesus, the Apostle and Head Priest, whom we have confessed [as Savior].
Matthew 1:21
She is going to have a son and you should name Him Jesus, for He is the One who will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 11:25-26
About that time Jesus said [in prayer], "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus' words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like.
Luke 10:21
At that very time Jesus rejoiced in [the power of] the Holy Spirit, and said [in prayer], "I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you concealed these things [i.e., His divine revelations] from those [claiming to be] wise and intelligent and have revealed them to babies [i.e., to simple, sincere, common people]. Yes, Father, this was pleasing to you.
John 10:28-29
I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand.
John 17:9
I am praying for them [i.e., the apostles]; I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you gave me, who belong to you.
John 17:24
"Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.
Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].
Acts 15:18
This is what the Lord said when He predicted these things long ago.'
Romans 3:20
This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which "law" is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the law of Moses.
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them].
Romans 9:11
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Romans 9:24
We were these people, whom He called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.
Romans 11:5-6
So, now also, there is a small minority which has been selected by God's unearned favor [i.e., to be saved].
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of [Christ dying on] the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing [i.e., in a lost state], but it is God's power to us who are being saved.
1 Corinthians 3:21-22
So, no one should boast about [the knowledge or position of] people. For all things belong to you,
Ephesians 1:3-4
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in [fellowship with] Christ. [Note: The term "heavenly realms" is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth].
Ephesians 1:9
in doing what He intended through Christ, to make known to us His secret plan, according to what pleased Him.
Ephesians 1:11
It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God's] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants.
Ephesians 2:5
restored [spiritual] life to us with Christ, even though we were [spiritually] dead because of our sins --- it is by God's unearned favor that you have been saved.
Ephesians 3:11
according to God's eternal purpose which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God did not call us to be morally impure, but to be dedicated to Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].
1 Peter 1:15-16
but according to the Holy One, who called you [i.e., God], you people also should become holy [i.e., separated for God's service] in all your conduct,
1 Peter 1:20
For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times.
1 Peter 2:9
But you people are especially chosen [by God]; you are a royal body of priests; you are a nation especially set apart for God's use; you are a people who belong exclusively to God, that you may express the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness [i.e., of sin and error], and into His marvelous light [i.e., righteousness and truth].
1 Peter 2:20-21
But it is no credit to you if you put up with a beating you deserve. But if you patiently tolerate suffering for doing good, this is pleasing to God.
Revelation 13:8
And everyone who lives on earth will worship the beast, [even those] people whose names had not been recorded in the book of life belonging to the Lamb, who was killed [in prospect] from the creation of the world. [Note: This sentence could also read "...not been recorded from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed"].
Revelation 17:8
The beast you saw once existed, but now does not, and [yet] is about to come up out of the pit and go to [his] destruction. And those people living on the earth, whose names have not been recorded in the book of life from the creation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because he had once existed, but now does not, and yet will come [again].