Eunice and Lois

02/03/2020

(2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Acts 16:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:5)

In this entry, we will discuss Eunice and her mother Lois - two very superb women! According to the New Testament, Eunice was the mother of Timothy (the evangelist) and Lois, his grandmother. These two women were of Jewish ethnicity but had become part of the Christian faith apparently before Timothy did. Lois had acquired a genuine faith earlier that was also very evident in her daughter Eunice, having been taught by her mother, and subsequently observed in Timothy’s own life (2 Timothy 1:5). The meaning of their names even seems to symbolize Lois’ better choice in her faith, and Eunice’s upholding of a faith that brought her joyous victory.

Now, the paternity of Eunice is not discussed but her marriage is alluded to. It is unclear the circumstances surrounding her marriage to a Greek man but it is interesting since there were (and are?) interfaith and intercultural marriage taboos ingrained within Judaism (except for the “foreigner” converting to the religion). The text, however, does not suggest any conversion on Timothy’s father’s side and makes little mention of him. It may be that he was of the Christian faith as that would lend more explanation to his union with Eunice: “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). It could also be that Eunice and Lois had their conversion following Eunice's marriage, and so in that sense, she was the only believing partner in her union with her husband. Paul addresses this circumstance stating that if the conversion of one partner occurs in marriage, where both were previously unsaved, they should remain together if the unsaved partner is willing (1 Corinthians 7:10-15). It could also be that Eunice's husband passed away in Timothy's youth. Either way, his ethnicity as a Greek explains why Timothy was not circumcised in his youth as per Jewish custom but was later circumcised by Paul to appease the Jewish audience in their ministry. Even so, Eunice’s intercultural marriage is not surprising since by then, Greek culture had already been inculcated into Jewish culture or at least thrived side-by-side with it due to the spread of Hellenism by Alexander the Great three centuries prior.

So what about Eunice and Lois? They did right by the role they played in Timothy’s upbringing. The investment and outpouring of his mother and grandmother into him helped guide him into the will of God for his life. They taught him the Holy Scriptures from his childhood to adulthood--guiding him in his path to becoming an evangelist (2 Timothy 3:14-15). This shows the important role of womanhood, motherhood, mentorship, and a great support system. They truly trained the child up in the way he should go and when he grew he did not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) but continued to serve the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly.

Lois seemed to embody in her family life (and community) the very instructions given in Titus 2:3-5 to older women, “older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” - Titus 2:3-5.

It is very clear the influence that mothers have on children, especially with the teaching of important values. There are many opportunities many mothers have missed in raising their children, where they allow the world to teach their children instead of them teaching with core Christ-centered values. Eunice and Lois both led by example too. They weren't just saying "Christian" things but were living out their lives as followers of Christ, leaving a beautiful testament for Timothy to follow.

Women like Eunice and Lois provide an excellent support system due to their knowledge and appreciation for the roles and responsibilities they have! They teach us to be women who invest in each other and our children, and women who teach one another in the way of the Lord; admonishing and encouraging us on our path. They teach us to be women who are sincere in our faith.