Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 1

This salutation is similar to the one found at the beginning of 1 Timothy (see comments on 1 Timothy 1:1). Paul adds something here: “according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” All spiritual life comes to us only “in Christ.” And the more fully and consciously we live in him, the richer that life becomes.

In his first letter Paul greeted Timothy as “my true son in the faith.” Here it is “my dear [GK 28] son.” Paul had a warm affection for his young convert and colleague. The actual greeting (v.2b) is exactly the same as that in 1 Timothy (see comments on 1 Timothy 1:2). Everything we have comes to us from God through Christ.

This salutation is similar to the one found at the beginning of 1 Timothy (see comments on 1 Timothy 1:1). Paul adds something here: “according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” All spiritual life comes to us only “in Christ.” And the more fully and consciously we live in him, the richer that life becomes.

In his first letter Paul greeted Timothy as “my true son in the faith.” Here it is “my dear [GK 28] son.” Paul had a warm affection for his young convert and colleague. The actual greeting (v.2b) is exactly the same as that in 1 Timothy (see comments on 1 Timothy 1:2). Everything we have comes to us from God through Christ.

In contrast to his first letter, where Paul began by informing Timothy about his urgent task at Ephesus, even before his thanksgiving to God, Paul here follows his regular custom of having a thanksgiving right after the greeting. Paul was serving God “as my forefathers did.” He greatly appreciated his religious heritage (cf. Acts 22:3; 24:14), and so today should all those who have been brought up in a Christian environment. The apostle served God with a clean or pure conscience (see the note on 1 Timothy 1:5.); Paul had maintained a clear conscience even in his earlier years (Acts 23:1).

“Night and day” Paul was “constantly” remembering Timothy in his prayers (cf. Romans 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:6). He must have had a large heart to carry such a loving concern for so many people.

“Long” (GK 2160) is a word expressing intense desire. Recalling Timothy’s tears, probably when they last parted, Paul deeply longed to see his son in the faith, that he might be “filled with joy.” In Paul’s letters we see this man of God’s real humanity. He was a stalwart soldier, but he had a tender heart.

Some external occasion, perhaps a message from Timothy, had brought his faith to Paul’s remembrance. That faith was genuine and “sincere” (lit., “unhypocritical”; GK 537). As this verse testifies, Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother.