Verse 9
who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
The word "God" at the end of the preceding verse precipitated here a typical Pauline digression, the next few clauses being devoted to extolling the grace and purpose of God from before times eternal.
Who saved us ... The past tense here indicates that Paul had reference to the primary or initial salvation of Christians, an act referred to by the apostle Peter as being "cleansed from our old sins" (2 Peter 1:9). Paul never taught that salvation subsequent to that first cleansing was irrevocable.
Called us with a holy calling ... This may be understood as a synonymous reference to being saved. In the New Testament, call is always understood as a call obeyed.
Before times eternal ... Both the heavenly plan for man's salvation and the means of its accomplishment have existed eternally, being therefore beyond the ruin of time or of anything that might happen in human history. It is a gross error, of course, to apply this to individuals as regards their personal salvation, except as they are united with and in Christ and fully identified with our Lord. Eternally, it has been the will of God to save those who shall be found in Christ Jesus, it being implicit in this, of course, that those who desire to remain "in Christ" shall certainly be able to do so.
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