Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
When I call to remembrance—This increased his "desire to see" Timothy. The oldest manuscripts read, "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.
faith that is in thee—ALFORD translates, "that was in thee." He remembers Timothy's faith in the past as a fact; its present existence in him is only matter of his confident persuasion or hope.
which—Greek, "such as."
dwelt—"made its dwelling" or abode (John 14:23). The past tense implies they were now dead.
first—before it dwelt in thee. She was the furthest back of the progenitors of Timothy whom Paul knew.
mother Eunice—a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek, that is, a heathen (Acts 16:1). The faith of the one parent sanctified the child (II Timothy 3:15; I Corinthians 7:14). She was probably converted at Paul's first visit to Lystra (Acts 14:6). It is an undesigned coincidence, and so a mark of truth, that in Acts 16:1 the belief of the mother alone is mentioned, just as here praise is bestowed on the faith of the mother, while no notice is taken of the father [PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ].
and—Greek, "but," that is, notwithstanding appearances [ALFORD].
persuaded that—it dwells, or it shall dwell "in thee also." The mention of the faith of his mother and grandmother is designed as an incentive to stir up his faith.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Timothy 1:5:
Acts 16:1-5
Acts 16:3
1 Thessalonians 5:27
1 Timothy 4:6
2 Timothy 1:3
2 Timothy 3:14
2 Timothy 3:15
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.