When Paul wrote a second time to Timothy, he was thankful “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” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s faith was indeed remarkable, considering his family background. He came from a religiously mixed family where his mother was a “Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek” who did not believe in God as evidenced by the fact that Timothy was not circumcised (Acts 16:1, 3). Yet, even from a home like that, Paul could say that Timothy’s faith was real. The word “genuine” [“unfeigned,” KJV; “sincere,” ESV]” is translated from a word that means sincere, genuine, without hypocrisy (1 Timothy 1:5; Romans 12:9; 2 Corinthians 6:6; James 3:15; 1 Peter 1:22).
How was Timothy able to have such genuine faith from that less than ideal family situation? The answer is his mother and grandmother! Later in this letter, Paul acknowledged that “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Parents, and even grandparents, must teach the Scriptures to their children and grandchildren! Children must be receptive to their teaching! Many family situations today are less than ideal, but that does not mean we cannot do what Timothy’s mom and grandmother did! Let us always teach and exemplify God’s Word!
