Just thinking out loud here. The following are the adscriptions in the Pastoral Epistles:
1Ti 1.2: To Timothy, my true child in the faith
2Ti 1.2: To Timothy, my beloved child
Titus 1.4: To Titus, my true child in a common faith
Paul is bolstering the rep of the recipient to those who hear the letter. "I'm writing to Timothy (you know, the one whom I consider my son?) ... "
I'm wondering if there is some allusion here to the parable of the wicked tenants (Mk 12.1-12 || Mt 21.33-46 || Lu 20.9-19), specifically Mk 12.6 || Mt 21.37 || Lu 20.13:
He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' (Mk 12.6)
Does Paul's specification of Timothy (and Titus) as his true/beloved son have similar force, the sort of "Timothy (and Titus) represent me and my interests" vibe of the parable?
Just thinkin' out loud. I have some other thoughts on prescipts in the Pastorals that I need to mull over a bit before posting them.