Eunice & Lois

Extraordinary Women of the Bible

Women in The Early Years of the Church

"Eunice & Lois"

   Key Scripture: Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14, 15:4-5

Eunice Name Means: "Conquering Well"

Lois Name Means: "Agreeable or Desirable"

Pre-Story: Eunice and Lois were the mother and grandmother of Paul’s young protégé Timothy. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, near the end of his life, he wrote to Timothy encouraging him in the work of the ministry. But first he took the time to eulogize the two women in Timothy's life that had the greatest impact on him spiritually. By their example and teaching, these Jewish women prepared Timothy to receive that same conviction in the existence and providence of the God.

Their Story: We know from Scriptures that Eunice was Timothy’s mother and his grandmother was named Lois.

Eunice: She was a Jewess who was married to a Greek man, a gentile, therefore an unbeliever. They had a son, whom they named Timothy. Nothing else is said about her husband, so many assume that he was dead by the time Eunice met the Apostle Paul. She lived in Derbe and Lystra, which is now part of modern day Turkey.

Lois: She was a devout Jewess who had instructed her beloved daughter and grandson in Old Testament Scriptures. The Scripture is silent about Lois husband, yet we do know that she gave her daughter a Greek name, which might indicate that he himself was Greek. The family lived in Lystra, among a people who worshipped the gods of Greece, yet she faithfully raised a daughter who loved God and helped raised a grandson who shared that love.

Together, the little family of three 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.

Coming to Lystra on his second missionary tour, Paul found the young man highly spoken of by the little group of Christians in that city. He was of such evident ability and promise that Paul made him a missionary helper.

Eunice and Lois had no doubt been the teachers of Timothy's youth. His fitness to be the companion and co-worker of Paul's finds its explanation largely in the home training and pious example given him by these two noble women. This family learned to trust God by relying upon His grace and His promise to care for the widow and orphan who call on Him.
 Eunice and Lois 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.

What a testimony these two women had. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, near the end of his life, he wrote to Timothy encouraging him in the work of the ministry. But first he took the time to eulogize the two women in Timothy's life that had the greatest impact on him spiritually.

2 Timothy 1:2-5 says: "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois,  and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Their Place in God's Divine Plan: The instruction that these two women gave Timothy provided him with the foundation of Bible knowledge that enabled him to receive advanced training from Paul. Timothy was then entrusted to teach others.

Their Victories: Lois and Eunice had victory over the immoral society in which they lived by raising a devout son and grandson.

Lesson We Can Learn from Her Legacy: Eunice and Lois passed down a Godly heritage. This should be an encouragement to all mothers and grandmothers who want to raise their children to love God. Reminding them that their godly influence has an eternal impact on the lives and futures of their children and grandchildren.

Genealogy: No genealogy available.