1 Timothy 1:2

“Unto Timothy my own son in the faith, etc.] Not in the flesh, or by natural descent, but in a spiritual sense, in the faith of Christ; for Timothy was not related to the apostle according to the flesh, as some have thought, but the relation was spiritual; though the apostle was not properly his spiritual father, or the instrument of his conversion; for Timothy was a converted person, and a disciple of Christ, and well reported of by the brethren, when the apostle first met with him, (<441601>Acts 16:1,2) but he calls him his son, either because of his age, being a young man; or because of his affection for him, so the Vulgate Latin version reads, “a beloved son”; or rather, because he was…”

“my own son--literally, "a genuine son" (compare Act 16:1; Co1 4:14-17). See Introduction. mercy--added here, in addressing Timothy, to the ordinary salutation, "Grace unto you (Rom 1:7; Co1 1:3, &c.), and peace." In Gal 6:16, "peace and mercy" occur. There are many similarities of style between the Epistle to the Galatians and the Pastoral Epistles (see Introduction); perhaps owing to his there, as here, having, as a leading object in writing, the correction of false teachers, especially as to the right and wrong use of the law (Ti1 1:9). If the earlier date be assigned to First Timothy, it will fall not long after, or before (according as the Epistle to the Galatians was written at Ephesus…”

“Unto Timothy - For an account of Timothy, see Intro. Section 1. My own son in the faith - Converted to the Christian faith by my instrumentality, and regarded by me with the affection of a father; see notes, 1 Corinthians 4:15. Paul had no children of his own, and he adopted Timothy as a son, and uniformly regarded and treated him as such. He had the same feeling also toward Titus; Titus 1:4; compare Galatians 4:19 note; 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:11 notes; and Philemon 1:10 note. Grace, mercy, and peace, ... - See the notes, Romans 1:7. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Grace, mercy, peace - St. Paul wishes grace and peace in his epistles to the churches. To Timotheus he adds mercy, the most tender grace towards those who stand in need of it. The experience of this prepares a man to be a minister of the gospel. 1 Timothy 1:3”

“1:2 Timothy was currently in Ephesus as Paul’s delegate (see 1 Timothy Book Introduction, “Setting”). • Timothy was Paul’s true son in the faith (see Phil 2:20; cp. Titus 1:4), but probably not Paul’s direct convert (see Acts 16:1).”

“Timothy: Act 16:1-3; Th1 3:2 my: Ti1 1:18; Co1 4:14-17; Phi 2:19-22; Ti2 1:2, Ti2 2:1; Tit 1:4 Grace: Rom 1:7; Gal 1:3; Ti2 1:2; Tit 1:4; Pe1 1:2 1 Timothy 1:3”