When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
When I call to remembrance ... This increased his 'desire to see' Timothy. [C Delta G f g, Vulgate, read lambanoon (G2983). But 'Aleph (') A, laboon (G2983), 'when I called to remembrance:' implying that some recent incident (perhaps the contrasted cowardice of the hypocrite Demas, who forsook him) had reminded him of the sincerity of Timothy's faith.] 'Having received reminding.' х Anamneesis (G364), when one recalls to mind something past; hupomneesis (G5280), when one is reminded by another (2 Peter 3:1).]
Faith that is in thee, х tees (G3588) en (G1722) soi (G4671)] - not merely, as Alford, 'that was in thee.' Which, х heetis (G3748)] - 'the which:' as being that which in particular.
Dwelt, х enookeesen (G1774)] - 'made its dwelling' (John 14:23). The past tense implies they were now dead.
First. The family pedigree of indwelling faith began first with Lois, the furthest back of Timothy's progenitors whom Paul knew.
Mother Eunice - a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek - i:e., a pagan (Acts 16:1). The faith of the one parent sanctified the child (1 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Timothy 3:15). She was probably converted at Paul's first visit to Lystra (Acts 14:6-7). It is an undesigned coincidence, and so a mark of truth, that in Acts 16:1, just as here, the belief of the mother alone is mentioned, while no notice is taken of the father (Paley's 'Horae Paulinae').
And, х de (G1161)] - 'but;' i:e., notwithstanding appearances (Alford). Rather, 'moreover.' The more persuaded Paul is of Timothy's faith, the more he exhorts him to stir up the gift of God (Leo).
Persuaded that - it dwells "in thee also." The faith of his mother and grandmother is the incentive used to stir up his faith.