2 Timothy 1

1. This Epistle is the last testament and swan-like death song of Paul [BENGEL].
according to the promise of life . . . in Christ--Paul's apostleship is in order to carry into effect this promise. Compare "according to the faith . . . in hope of eternal life . . . promise," &c. ( Titus 1:1 Titus 1:2 ). This "promise of life in Christ" (compare 2 Timothy 1:10 , 2 Timothy 2:8 ) was needed to nerve Timothy to fortitude amidst trials, and to boldness in undertaking the journey to Rome, which would be attended with much risk ( 2 Timothy 1:8 ).

2. my dearly beloved son--In 1 Timothy 1:2 , and Titus 1:4 , 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 as to Timothy, more of mere love, and less of confidence, as though Paul saw m him a want of firmness, whence arose the need of his stirring up afresh the faith and grace in Him ( 2 Timothy 1:6 ). But this seems to me not justified by the Greek word agapetos, which implies the attachment of reasoning and choice, on the ground of merit in the one "beloved," not of merely instinctive love. See TRENCH [Greek Synonyms of the New Testament].

3. I thank--Greek, "I feel gratitude to God."
whom I serve from my forefathers--whom I serve ( Romans 1:9 ) as did my forefathers. He does not mean to put on the same footing the Jewish and Christian service of God; but simply to assert his own conscientious service of God as he had received it from his progenitors (not Abraham, Isaac, &c., whom he calls "the fathers," not "progenitors" as the Greek is here; Romans 9:5 ). The memory of those who had gone before to whom he is about to be gathered, is now, on the eve of death, pleasant to him; hence also, he calls to mind the faith of the mother and grandmother of Timothy; as he walks in the faith of his forefathers ( Acts 23:1 , 24:14 , Acts 26:6 Acts 26:7 , 28:20 ), so Timothy should persevere firmly in the faith of his parent and grandparent. Not only Paul, but the Jews who reject Christ, forsake the faith of their forefathers, who looked for Christ; when they accept Him, the hearts of the children shall only be returning to the faith of their forefathers ( Malachi 4:6 , Luke 1:17 , Romans 11:23 Romans 11:24 Romans 11:28 ). Probably Paul had, in his recent defense, dwelt on this topic, namely, that he was, in being a Christian, only following his hereditary faith.
that . . . I have remembrance of thee--"how unceasing I make my mention concerning thee" (compare Philemon 1:4 ). The cause of Paul's feeling thankful is, not that he remembers Timothy unceasingly in his prayers, but for what Timothy is in faith ( 2 Timothy 1:5 ) and graces; compare Romans 1:8 Romans 1:9 , from which supply the elliptical sentence thus, "I thank God (for thee, for God is my witness) whom I serve . . . that (or how) without ceasing I have remembrance (or make mention) of thee," &c.
night and

4. desiring--Greek, "with yearning as for one much missed."
mindful of thy tears--not only at our parting ( Acts 20:37 ), but also often when under pious feelings.
that I may be filled with joy--to be joined with "desiring to see thee" ( Romans 1:11 Romans 1:12 , 15:32 ).