What about Eunice?

 

Eunice’s story is very short, but the influence of her faith was far reaching.

Eunice lived at a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ was a new concept, a new way to worship. Eunice, along with her mother Lois were Jewish women who, it is presumed, were converted to Christianity during Apostle Paul’s first missionary journey to Lystra.

By now, you may be wondering what is Eunice’s claim to fame; well, you see, Eunice had a Greek husband, a Gentile and they had a son. Their son’s name was Timothy (see Acts 16:1).

Yes, the same Timothy whose letters from Paul now form part of the New Testament pastoral letters, that Timothy to whom Paul wrote,

To Timothy, a dear son to me. (2 Timothy 1:2 ERV)

Despite the vast differences in the religious beliefs of this Jewish woman and her more than likely pagan Gentile husband, Eunice had passed on her beliefs to her son. The apostle was so impressed by the influence of her faith on the life of Timothy that he was obliged to make mention of it,

I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith. (2 Timothy 1:5 ERV)

Today as we celebrate Mother’s Day in certain parts of the world, I think of the influence my own mother had on my faith and that kind of faith that first belonged to my grandmother which I now strive to live. Like Eunice and Lois, they were faithful and devoted advocates for Jesus Christ.

My mother ensured that she passed on her spiritual beliefs to her children just as her mother had done before her. Since my siblings and I were children, we were exposed to God’s Word.

From the days of his childhood, Eunice had instructed her son in the sacred writings of the Old Testament. She made sure that he knew the Holy Scriptures.

You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. These Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15 ERV)

Eunice’s life in Christ, so impacted the life of her son that he became Apostle Paul’s beloved spiritual child, his constant travel companion, his official representative and most importantly Christ’s faithful servant.

 Beloved, this brief story of Eunice, teaches us that the way we live our faith can have great influence on those who look to us as examples of Christian life.

Lois and Eunice were two mothers who lived in the faith of Christ and passed it on to their children. Thank God for your own mother who has passed on the legacy of her faith to you.

May our own witness of faith continue to guide our lives in a meaningful way so as to bring others closer to Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “What about Eunice?” ©2026 May 9, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

a Jew who accepted the new way, that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her husband, a Greek, was a Gentile.