Eunice: A heroic motherFrom series Significant Biblical Women.
Eunice: name meaning 'conquering well' or 'good victory'
Acts 16:1-3: ‘…where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek …’
2 Timothy 1:5: ‘I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.’
Who was Eunice?
Eunice was the daughter of Lois and the mother of Timothy. Although mentioned little in the bible, Eunice greatly influenced the spread of Christianity. She and her mother, Lois, brought Timothy up to know God, setting the foundations for his becoming a famous evangelist.
What did Eunice do well?
Clearly Eunice told Timothy bible stories from an early age. She most likely accepted Christ when Paul visited Lystra and it seems that Paul also converted Timothy, as suggested by his words ‘my son in the faith’ (Acts 14:6,7; 1 Timothy 1:2). Yet it was Eunice herself who first introduced him to the Lord God. As Jews, she and her mother Lois would have known the Old Testament scriptures well: ‘From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures’ Paul writes, or, as the Message version puts it: ‘you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk!’ (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
What main challenges did Eunice face?
One of the trials Eunice faced would have been linked to her marriage. Since she was a Jew but married a Gentile, she was probably looked down on by the rest of the Jewish community. As nothing is said of him, some assume that her husband had died by the time Eunice became a believer in Christ. (see All The Women Of The Bible by Herbert Lockyer). Either way, it’s clear he wasn’t a believer from the word ‘but’ in Acts 16 (above). Eunice would have experienced loneliness and perhaps at times a sense of inadequacy as she took on the responsibility of Timothy’s spiritual learning. In this Lois would have been a great source of comfort and help. Together, they tried to follow the instruction in Proverbs: ‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not depart from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6).
...
What character attributes did she have?
- Eunice was courageous: she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed in, even if it meant enduring ridicule or criticism.
- She was disciplined: she taught Timothy scripture from ‘infancy,’ making sure this was a priority in his upbringing.
- She feared God: as well as studying the scriptures, when Paul came into their town preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, Eunice was open-minded enough to believe. The name ‘Timothy’ means ‘one who fears God,’ and was most likely chosen by Eunice.
A similar story
St Augustine’s mother Monica was like Eunice in her dedication to nurturing her child's spiritual wellbeing. After Augustine left home, she prayed for her son with tears for years; after he was converted he attributed his faith to his mother’s persistent prayers. St Augustine went on to become one of the most influential Christian theologians in history.
Application to our lives:
We can remember the power of giving our children a strong spiritual foundation. (See How Can I Grow A Christian Home?). Additionally, we can pray that our children will know the Lord personally and read the bible with them regularly. Finally, we can support mothers around us by affirming them and praying for their children.
Related Content
Indoctrination Part Two
Kath Cunningham Articles
Indoctrination?
Kath Cunningham Articles