Mothers have a great influence. Twenty-nine times in the Old Testament, we find the phrase “…his mother’s name was…” (Leviticus 24:11 to Jeremiah 52:1). Timothy’s mother, Eunice, had a great influence on her son, who became one of Paul’s most trusted coworkers (Philippians 2:19-22). There are just a handful of verses that highlight Timothy’s mother and grandmother. From these verses, let us note how Timothy’s mother influenced him.
First, Eunice exemplified submission to God. On Paul’s second missionary trip, he met Timothy, “the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek” (Acts 16:1 NKJV). Despite being in a religiously mixed marriage, Eunice was able to instill spiritual values in her son. Incidentally, this shows that Christians being married to non-Christians is not inherently sinful (1 Corinthians 7:12-13), although unwise (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2). In the first century, marriages were often arranged long before the husband and wife knew each other. Nevertheless, wives are to “submit” to their own husbands, “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22), even if those husbands are not what they should be spiritually (1 Peter 3:1-6). In showing proper submission, Eunice showed her son a life patterned after God’s will. Mothers today must properly fulfill their God-given roles. This will teach their children from a very young age the first steps to godliness!
Second, Eunice enriched genuine faith. Paul was filled with joy when he wrote to Timothy and recalled “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). The word translated “genuine” (“unfeigned,” KJV; “sincere,” ESV) is from a word that literally means without hypocrisy (found also in Romans 12:9; 2 Corinthians 6:6; James 3:15; 1 Peter 1:22). Children can read their parents. They know if their parents are sincere in their Christianity. Mothers’ attitudes and actions certainly speak louder than their mere words. A child can both see and experience his or her mother’s faith or the lack of it (Proverbs 23:26). If Hebrews 11 teaches us anything, it is that genuine faith is action! Mothers today must model genuine faith way before their children are old enough to read, and they must continue modeling that faith throughout their lives!
Third, Eunice educated Timothy with God-breathed Scripture. Paul exhorted Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and 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 3:14-15). Although Paul would certainly be among those who taught Timothy the Scriptures, it all started with Timothy’s mother and grandmother! Eunice knew her son needed to learn the Scriptures (Romans 10:17). Eunice knew the Scriptures were of essential spiritual value (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Mothers today must also view education in the Scriptures as essential to their children’s well-being. After all, God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
We thank mothers who, like Eunice, exemplify their God-given roles, enrich genuine faith in their children and educate them in the Scriptures! May the Lord provide us with many more in the mold of Timothy’s mom, Eunice!
