Timothy was a convert and a dear companion of Paul whose character was exemplary; Paul wrote of him, “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22). We are first introduced to Timothy and the one who was primarily for his early formation of character in Acts 16:1-2: “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.”
Timothy’s mother believed but evidently his father did not. Yet even without seemingly much help from Timothy’s father, his mother raised him right. Paul noted in his second epistle to Timothy, “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 3:15). Mothers are typically the nurturers of children, and if Timothy’s father was Greek, then it is apparent that his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures was imparted to him by his mother.
The name of this godly woman is found at the beginning of the epistle. Paul wrote, “when I call to remembrance 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). Genuine faith was expressed in three generations; however, genuine faith is not automatic. It is not hereditary as if Timothy just had it passed to him genetically. Genuine faith comes from a person deciding to take God at His word (Romans 10:17). When a child sees the example of genuine faith in their parent, it makes an impact. Even children can tell the difference between a Christian who walks the walk, rather than merely someone who talks a good talk but does not really live out the faith. While children must make their own decision as they come to adulthood whether they will take ownership of the faith and genuinely live it out—their parents cannot make the decision for them and sadly they may choose a wicked way Ezekiel 18:9-10—there is no doubt of the tremendous influence genuinely faithful parents have on their children (Proverbs 22:6).
Christian mothers are not often the center of attention. Their voices are not often heard proclaiming truths to large masses of people, but their quiet influence of serving others and rearing their children is tremendously impactful. The words of a sermon may be quickly forgotten, but the example of a Christian mother will be etched in the hearts of her children for the remainder of their days, and perhaps impact generations to come.
-Mark Day
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