2Ti 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
A compliment, if you will, is a gracious expression of appreciation of a gift or a quality that a person possesses that you admire. Paul’s encouragement remembers Timothy’s past faith. Paul reminds Timothy that he admired that faith as genuine. In the present with trials, Timothy’s faith sounded weak, but it was not absent. It was already there, only needing to be refined by confident persuasion.
This is no different from what Jesus told the disciples who asked Him to increase their faith in their weakness. In response, Jesus made it clear that if they had the smallest amount or measure of true/genuine faith (seed), nothing would be too hard to accomplish. With Jesus, they did not need more faith to BELIEVE, only assurance they had enough faith to LIVE, “…the just shall live by faith”, Rom 1:17. Timothy needed reassurance.
This genuine faith he saw first in Timothy’s grandmother, then his mother and now in him. This is to be understood of the grace of faith was implanted in his heart by the Spirit of God, and was genuine. He believed with the heart unto righteousness. His faith worked by love to God, and Christ, and to His people, and was attended with good works. The moments you doubt, you don’t need more faith to believe, you need reassurance you have enough faith to live. Fan the flame of faith.