Eunice

From what we are given in Scripture, Eunice was also a devout Jew before coming to Christ. She has a Greek name that is derived from the name Nike, which was the Greek goddess of victory.  Her name actually means “conquering well” and was a name expressive of a good or happy victory.  Eunice, too, lived up to her name.  She had victory over the immoral society in which she lived by raising a devout son.  We learn from Scripture, in Acts 16:1 that Eunice had married a Greek man, a gentile, therefore an unbeliever. To them was born a son, whom they named Timothy.  Nothing else is said about him, so many assume that he was dead by the time Eunice met the Apostle Paul.

The Family 

The family lived at Lystra, and it is likely that during Paul’s first visit to that city that Lois, Eunice, and Timothy  were all  converted to the Christian faith.  There is no doubt that their devout Jewish faith and knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures prepared their hearts to hear the words of Paul regarding eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

When Paul returned to Lystra on his second missionary tour, he found the young man highly spoken of by the little group of Christians in that city.  Timothy’s abilities and promise is what made Paul decide to make him a missionary companion.  Years later, Paul was in the prison in Rome awaiting trial and likely to be executed, he wrote his second letter to his beloved companion, calling to remembrance the faith Timothy had shown, and reminding him that this same faith was first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Again, he says, to Timothy, “From a child, you have known the holy Scriptures”.

I cannot overlook the compelling feature from Scripture of Eunice and Lois, and that is their religious influence on Timothy.   Since his father is not mentioned in connection with Timothy’s faith, it is apparent that these two godly women trained him up so that he both knew and loved God’s word.  

Timothy

The name Timothy means “one who fears God”, a name obviously picked by his faithful mother.  Grandmother and mother had no doubt been the teachers of his youth.  His ability to be the companion and co-worker of Paul can only be attributed to his upbringing and example given him by these two noble women.  It was from them also that the young Timothy derived his first impressions of Christian truth; for Paul calls to remembrance the earnest faith which first dwelt in them.

The record of Timothy demonstrates the value of positive Christian training in the home.  Lois and Eunice took the responsibility to pass on their faith very seriously and as a result they  raised up a young man to become a servant of Christ.  For this, they have gone down in history as outstanding mothers and great women of faith.

As women, we are all equipped to plant seeds of faith.  Some people are great teachers and can lead women’s worship groups.  Other women are amazing mother’s and grandmother’s, and lead in the home.  Some women are fantastic at being in the public eye and can be heard sharing their faith across the world via podcasts and videos.  Trust God when you are being led to share your faith to the next generation.