Fathers

1 Timothy 1

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 1:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith." This too is encouraging. For if he evinced such faith as to be called peculiarly Paul's "own" son, he might be confident also with respect to the future. For it is the part of faith not to be cast down or disturbed, though circumstances occur that seem contrary to the promises. But observe he says, "my son," and even "mine own son," and yet he is not of the same substance. But what? was he of irrational kind? …

Homily on 1 Timothy 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

That is, begotten by me through faith. The preposition "in" – εν – means "through," as the apostle also says elsewhere: "I have begotten you in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15). And praising him, he calls him not only a son, but also a "true" one – true, because Timothy more than others preserves a likeness to him in faith, and because the apostle Paul sincerely loved him. Very wisely he added: "in faith," so as to encourage Timothy all the more toward it. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

To Timothy, a genuine child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. a genuine child. Wow! The faith that Timothy demonstrated, that even through it he became a genuine child of Paul! For nothing changed according to the faith. Grace, mercy. Here mercy is prayed for, not as usual, showing both the desire towards it, and that teachers need more mercy. On the guidance into the love of God, which is not required by legal necessity.

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

He describes the person greeted from three viewpoints: first, from his name, when he says, to Timothy: there was a certain disciple there named Timothy (Acts 16:1); second from his love, when he says, his beloved: for I have no man so of the same mind who with sincere affection is solicitous for you (Phil 2:20); third, from his sonship, when he says, son in faith, i.e., converted by him: I have sent to you Timothy, who is my dearest son and faithful in the Lord (1 Cor 4:17). …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗