Lois and Eunice the Grandmother and Mother of Timothy
Eunice was the daughter of Lois and mother of Timothy. Eunice married a Greek, or gentile which was a nonbeliever. Eunice was a Jewess, as was Lois her mother. They have shown us the importance of raising children early in the Holy Scripture.
2 Timothy 1:5
It was the apostle Paul who recognized Lois and Eunice as being two women of true faith. These two women gave to their son and grandson Timothy, a Godly heritage of their true faith. Lois was a Christian believer of Lystra and the grandmother of Timothy. Eunice was the mother of Timothy. Lois was a Jewess and the mother of Eunice.
Paul first met Timothy early in his second missionary journey when he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1). Eunice married a Greek who was a gentile or unbeliever. He prevented Timothy from being circumcised according to the Jewish law. (Acts 16:3).
How difficult it would be to raise a child to follow the teachings of your faith when the husband is not a believer. Eunice remained loyal to her gentile, unbelieving husband. She did not allow her son Timothy to be circumcised out of loyalty to her husband. The believers in Lystra and Iconium respected Timothy and said good things about him. Acts 16:2 tells us that Eunice and her son were active in their Christian fellowship. Godly Jewish men may have been role models for Timothy. Eunice and Lois instructed Timothy according to the sacred writings of the Old Testament that had helped to mold the character of Timothy. Timothy had inherited the religious nature from Eunice, and through her influence he remained true the faith.
The maternal grandmother of Timothy, Lois, was a God-fearing woman. We do not know why she allowed her daughter Eunice to marry a Greek gentile or non-believer. Timothy had the authority of Paul. Timothy was a young man of Jewish Greek parentages who traveled with Paul through Macedonia and Greece. Paul recruited Timothy to join his team. Timothy served as a messenger and traveled back and forth between Macedonia and Greece to encourage the churches and to keep Paul up to date on the progression of the Church. Timothy was left in charge of the church in Corinth and then in Macedonia. Timothy was also left in Ephesus while Paul went to Macedonia. (1 Timothy 1:3). Lois and Eunice gave Timothy the courage to keep the great true sincere faith. Timothy did the work of the Lord like Paul. (1 Corinthians 16:10).
Timothy was considered to be a Christian brother, and minister of God, and a fellow labor in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith. The unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice. Paul called Timothy, “my dearly beloved son.” Paul used Timothy so he would know about the faith of the Thessalonians and to encourage them concerning their faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-6).
Timothy had been taught the Scriptures from his childhood by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. They encouraged Timothy to be reverent for the word of the LORD God. It is well known that childhood is the most impressionable age, and instructions given to the young are never forgotten. Nothing makes so lasting an impression on the young mind as the word of the LORD God. And that from a child Timothy known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3: 10-16).
Timothy was taught by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. They were united in their teaching of him at a very young age. They are an example for all parents that they are the best to teach their children. Lois and Eunice demonstrated that it should be our pleasure, desire and delight to teach our dear children the Word of the Lord. It is a sacred trust given to us by the LORD to teach and raise up the children to the Will of the LORD. Christian women teaching their children the Holy Scriptures are as fulfilling and more important in promoting the Will of the LORD. It is right up there with Moses in judging Israel or Solomon in building the temple for the LORD. Teaching our children the Holy Scriptures is building a future for the LORD.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Lois and Eunice the Grandmother and Mother of Timothy:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1555,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Lois and Eunice the Grandmother and Mother of Timothy:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1555,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Lois and Eunice the Grandmother and Mother of Timothy:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1555, (accessed).
