Lois and Eunice

Biblical Record

The two women are named only once in Scripture, in 2 Timothy 1:5. There Paul recalls "the unfeigned faith" that is in Timothy, "which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

Acts 16:1-3 records how Paul met Timothy at Lystra. Timothy's mother is described as "a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed," and his father as "a Greek." This mother is understood to be Eunice. Before taking Timothy with him on his missionary journey, Paul had him circumcised out of consideration for the Jews of that region. In addition, 2 Timothy 3:14-15 states that "from a child" Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures. On this basis, it is commonly held that Timothy learned the Scriptures from the women of his household.

Significance within Scripture

Neither woman is shown speaking or acting directly. In the Pauline letters, however, they are cited as an example of faith passed down through the generations within a single family. It is also noteworthy that in a household where the father was a Gentile, the mother and grandmother took responsibility for Timothy's religious instruction. The name Eunice is understood to mean "good victory" in Greek.

Interpretation and Debated Points

• The nature of the faith: Interpreters differ over the "faith" of 2 Timothy 1:5. Some hold that it was Christian faith from the beginning; others see it as beginning as a Jewish faith grounded in the Old Testament that later led to faith in Christ.
• Time of conversion: It is commonly said that the two women became Christians at Lystra (Acts 14) during Paul's first missionary journey. This, however, is conjecture; the text does not state it directly.
• Speculation about the father: On the basis of the wording of Acts 16:1, some interpreters conclude that Timothy's father had already died. This, too, is not stated explicitly in the text.
• Question of authorship: Some critical scholars hold that Paul did not personally write the Pastoral Epistles, including 2 Timothy. On this view, the references to the two women may be assessed differently. Most Korean denominations generally accept Pauline authorship.