1 Timothy 1:2

my own son in the faith Better, my true child in faith with R.V.; child, because the word is used, as the Greek teknonis, (1) of specially tender affectionateness, (2) of the spiritual relationship of a disciple to a teacher; true, that is, shewing a real and marked resemblance in character to your -father in God"; in faith, or as we should say, spiritually; apparently by this time a recognised adverbial or adjectival phrase, as in Titus 3:15, -salute them that love us in faith," or, as we should say, -our Christianfriends." The same argument from the growth of this abstract applies here; the earlier and more concrete -in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 4:17), and -in the Gospel" (1 Thessalonians 3:2) gives place to -in faith," or as in Titus 1:4 -in communion of faith."

Compare 2 John 1:1, -whom I love in truth," St John's corresponding word for spiritual Christianity, and the combination in ch. 1 Timothy 2:7.

Grace, mercy, and peace -Mercy" here and in 2 Timothy 1:2; while in Titus 1:4 according to the best mss. it is -grace and peace," as in the salutations of St Paul's other epistles. -Why," asks Fairbairn, -is "mercy" specially needed for St Paul's dear child of faith? The nearer he was in character to St Paul the more would hetoo feel himself "the chief of sinners," and so appreciate a prayer so truly faithful and sympathising; a lesson," he adds, -for all future ministers of the Gospel which it well becomes them to ponder." St John's private letter to the -Elect lady" has the same salutation.

God our Father Read God the Father, as in 2 Timothy 1:2 and Titus 1:4; -our Father" was the usual form in the earlier epistles.