Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
My own [ gneesioo (G1103 )] son - `a genuine son' (cf. Acts 16:1; 1 Corinthians 4:14-17). See 'Introduction.'
Mercy. Added, in addressing Timothy, to the ordinary "Grace unto you (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3, etc.), and peace." In Galatians 6:16 "peace and mercy" occur. There are similarities between the letter to the Galatians and the pastoral letters (see 'Introduction'); perhaps owing to his there, as here, having, as a leading object, the correction of false teachers, especially as to the right and wrong use of the law (1 Timothy 1:9): also, owing to Galatians and the pastoral letters being written by Paul's own hand. "Mercy" is tender grace exercised toward the miserable, the experience of which in one's own case especially fits for the MINISTRY. Compare as to Paul himself, 1 Timothy 1:13-14; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Hebrews 2:17. He did not use "mercy" as to the churches, because "mercy" in all its fullness already existed toward them; but in the case of an individual minister, fresh measures of it were continually needed. His sense of his need of "mercy" had deepened the older he grew. "Grace" refers to men's sins; "mercy" to their misery. God extends His grace to men as guilty; His mercy to them as miserable (Trench).
Jesus Christ. A Delta G f g, Vulgate, read the order, 'Christ Jesus.' In the pastoral letters "Christ" is often before "Jesus," to give prominence to the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic promises, well-known to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15), in Jesus.