Commentarii in Epistolas D. Pauli ad Timoth. ad Titum, et ad Philem. facili et perspicua methodo conscripti. A D. Benedicto Aretio bernensi theologo. Cum indice rerum memorabilium quae in hisce conti

2. To Timothy, my true son in faith.

Concerning the praises of Timothy.

The other place is that of the greeting, which contains the praises of Timothy, whom he adorns with fitting titles, that is, he celebrates his virtue. For praise is a speech expressing the magnitude of virtue. Ἔπαινος ἐστὶ λόγος ἐμφανίζων μέγεθος τῆς ἀρετῆς Praise is a discourse manifesting the magnitude of virtue, and we declare virtue either by bringing forth the efficiency of virtue or its effects. Parents and pious education produce virtue, although pious parents do not always raise pious children. The effects of virtue, however, are illustrious deeds. Therefore, praising Timothy here, he makes him his son, signifying that he arrived at this happiness through pious instruction, and that these labors were not spent unhappily, but that he became a genuine son, that is, one ingenuous and sincere in faith and in the Christian religion.

His name.

The name Timothy signifies one who honors and worships God. It was undoubtedly imposed upon him by his pious parents, his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice; for it was not yet customary for those converted to Christianity to assume other names. The pious name is in conformity with religion, responding to his duty, because he was consecrated to the divine ministry, a matter which is governed by God so that the prayers of pious parents in the imposition of names may be directed to a happy outcome.

Genuine.

He calls him germanum genuine, that is, ἄδολον without guile/unadulterated