Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Timothy 1:2

"to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." — 2 Timothy 1:2 (ASV)

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son:

Son in the faith. When all the ties of natural descent will be forgotten, sonship in Christ will continue. I do not doubt that in heaven Timothy is still Paul's son; Paul is still father to Timothy, for the relation is of the Spirit.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I believe I have previously pointed out to you that when Paul writes to a church, his greeting is Grace and peace. Whenever he writes to a minister, it is Grace, mercy, and peace.

I have sometimes wondered whether we ministers need mercy more than other people, and I suppose that we do, otherwise the Apostle would not have said, Grace, mercy, and peace.

Oh! If a minister gets to heaven, it will be a wonder. His responsibilities are so great. Who is sufficient for these things? It will be a marvelous display of mercy if any of us will be able to say at last, I am clear of the blood of all men; for we are responsible not only for our own blood, but also for the blood of others in this matter.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is quite remarkable that, when the Apostle writes to churches, he usually wishes them "Grace and peace"; but when he writes to a minister, he generally prays for "Grace, mercy, and peace," as if we needed more mercy than other Christians. Having such a great work to do, and falling into such great sin if we are unfaithful in it, we may well ask that we may have special mercy shown to us by the God of mercy.