The format of the opening greeting is familiar and follows the few first-century letter-writing conventions, comprising the name of the sender and the recipient with a salutation, similar to the one in the earlier epistle to Timothy.
Verse 1
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus": refers to the converted Pharisee and apostle to the Gentiles; the same person who authored all the undisputed Pauline letters. The term "apostle" invokes the concept of his calling to ministry and appeals to authority.
Verse 2
"Timothy": a Paul's convert, originally of Lystra with a Jewess mother, Eunice, an unnamed Greek father and a grandmother named Lois.
"My dear son" : In, and, written at an earlier period than this Epistle, the expression used is in the Greek, "my genuine son". Alford sees in the change of expression an intimation of an altered tone to Timothy, more of affection, and less of confidence, to indicate that Paul saw a lack of firmness in him, so he needs to stir up afresh the faith and grace in Christ, but this seems not justified by the Greek word "agapetos", which implies the attachment of reasoning in the one "beloved," not of solely instinctive love.
The portion of thanksgiving-prayer is typical of the Hellenistic or Hellenistic-Jewish letters and included in most of Pauline letters, but the tone in this epistle is more for encouragement and forms a basis of Paul's appeal to Timothy.
Verse 5
"Eunice" was a Jewish woman who "believed" in Christ, married to a Greek man and have a son, Timothy.
"The unfeigned faith": how Paul describes the faith and heritage of Timothy, which Paul is thankful for. Philip Towner summarized Paul's intention in this part is to confirm with Timothy that "in terms of our faith and spiritual heritage, we are cut from the same cloth. The obligations and call to duty that this implies for me also implies for you."
The Renewed Call to Boldness and Faithfulness in Ministry (1:6–14)
Based on Paul's confidence in Timothy's faith as expressed in the previous section, Paul gives his instructions to Timothy, more like handing over his ministry to his successor.
Verse 6
Verse 9
Philip Towner sees this and the next verse present "a carefully constructed unit of theology that emphasizes a traditional understanding of salvation."
Verse 10
"Now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus": referring to the grace through which God's elect are saved and called; although it was given in Christ to them, before the world was, but lay hidden in God's heart, in Jesus Christ and in the promises of the Old Testament, is now made manifest clearly and abundantly through the appearance of the Savior, Christ, in human nature, full of grace and truth.
"Who has destroyed death": with it also the law of sin, which is the cause of death, and the devil; as he took away its sting and removed its curse, he has utterly abolished the second death, so they will never be hurt by it; all which Jesus did through dying, and rising again: triumphed over death, as having got the victory over it; now holding the keys of it in his hand.
"Has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel": Christ was the first man who rose again from the dead to an immortal life; the first to be shown the path of life. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was already known in the Old Testament, but not as clearly revealed as in the Gospel and so fully attested as the resurrection of Christ, as well as of many saints in the general resurrection at the last day. Moreover, the eternal life, which is a free gift from God, lay hidden in his purpose, promise, and covenant, now put into the hands of his Son Jesus Christ, and he has brought it to light in a more apparent manner than ever before, by appearing in human nature, his personal ministry, by his death and resurrection from the dead, and through the Gospel, as preached by his ministers; which gives an account and shows the way to it, pointing out and describing the persons that will enjoy it.
Verse 13
"Sound": here is in the sense of "healthy".
Models of Shame and Courage (1:15–18)
Paul names Phygellus and Hermogenes who have turned away from him in Asia, in contrast to Onesiphorus, who remains faithful. The first two characters illustrate for Timothy 'the shameful way of willful dissociation' from Paul and his ministry.
Verses 16–18
Paul greets "the household of Onesiphorus" and mentions the loyal services he had done; after that Paul wishes him well. Roman Catholics consider these verses as an implication that Onesiphorus was already dead, as "the easiest and most natural hypothesis".
