My own son, &c.— It is not certain from the history that Timothy was converted by St. Paul: See Acts 16:1-2. It seems therefore that he calls him his son, to express the parental affection that he had for him, and the complacency he found in that assistance which he had received from him in the work of the ministry, and in the filial reverence and affection which this excellent young minister expressed to him. Nor can we doubt but Timothy had received much confirmation in Christianity from the apostle.
Related Commentaries of 1 Timothy 1:2
1 Timothy 1:2
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.