John Chrysostom

"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son." Not merely his "son," but, "dearly beloved"; since it is possible for sons not to be beloved. Not such, he means, art thou; I call thee not merely a son, but a "dearly beloved son." As he calls the Galatians his children, but at the same time complains of them; "My little children," he says, "of whom I travail in birth again." (Gal. iv. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

One can be a son, yet unloved. Meanwhile, Timothy was beloved, and without doubt, for his virtue. By this, therefore, the apostle shows that he is leaving him not because he was angry with him or despised him for anything: no, you, he says, are beloved to me; but force and necessity compel him to leave him. What he previously prayed to God for in the First Epistle, he prays for him now as well. So, regarding this passage, read the First Epistle.

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. my beloved child. For Timothy is indeed a child, and certainly beloved. If he were not very virtuous, he would not be both a child, beloved, and especially of Paul. Grace, mercy. Which even before, he prays these things for himself now as well. The praise of Timothy's faith, and appeal to patience, according to what grace requires, in which he also says that he himself is led by enduring.

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The person greeted is Timothy, his son, converted by him: my dearly beloved son, because he was of the same mind: for I have no man so of the same mind who with sincere affection is solicitous for you (Phil 2:20). The goods he desires for him are three: namely, grace, through which sins are remitted; mercy, through which we obtain the final good; and peace; a Gloss says: that is, tranquility of mind, which befits a prelate, who is appointed to procure peace: the Lord said to them: peace be to you (John 20:19). …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗