“But of God”
Paul, in an eloquent testimony, responds to this seeming irregularity in the order of heaven in this language: “Who [meaning God] hath saved us [himself, Timothy, and by implication many others], and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9, italics added; compare Galatians 1:14-16). For a discussion as to why not all are accorded a call to repentance in similar fashion see Commentary 2:304-5.