A Mother's Faith

Bible Book: 2 Timothy 1 : 5

Subject: Mother's Day; Faith

Introduction

The word "mother" is used over 300 times in the Bible, but the last time that the word is used in connection with a specific person is in 2 Timothy 1:5. Now there are later references to women who were mothers, but the actual word "mother" is not used in these verses. For example, the Bible goes on to mention Sara and her conception in Hebrews 11:11; and there is reference to "the elect lady and her children" in the first verse of 2 John. Then too, the word "mother" is used in later references but not in connection to a specific person. In Hebrews 7:3, the Bible says that Melchisedec was "without father," and "without mother." Then Revelation 17:5 mentions "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots." However, the final usage of the word "mother" in conjunction with a particular person is Paul's mention of Timothy's mother "Eunice" in 2 Timothy 1:5.

The name Eunice is the Latin form of the Greek name Eunike (pronounced yoo-nee'-kay), which meant "good victory," or "conquering well." It is derived from two Greek words: Eu, meaning well or good, and Nike (like the shoe), meaning conquest or victory. According to Acts 16:1, Timothy's "father was a Greek," but his mother "was a Jewess, and believed." Timothy's grandmother Lois was probably Eunice's mother and not Timothy's paternal grandmother because the two women are mentioned together in connection with their faith. From Acts 16:3 we learn that because of the Greek influence of his father, Timothy had not been circumcised according to Jewish custom until he began his ministry with Paul. He is called a "disciple" in Acts 16:1, though; and this must have been the result of the religious training that his mother provided. Paul said of Timothy "that from a child" he had "known the holy scriptures, which" had made him "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).

When we think of a mother, we think of the life that she gives her child. The very name of the first mother Eve, which means life-giver, suggests this. Obviously, we also think of a mother's love. As one anonymous poet wrote, "There are times when only a Mother's love can understand our tears, can soothe our disappointments and calm all of our fears." But another line from that same poem said, "There are times when only a Mother's faith can help us on life's way." It is upon that increasingly rare element of a mother's faith that we focus today. Earlier we noticed in Acts 16:1 that Eunice "was a Jewess, and believed." That statement certainly points to her faith; and then our text verse says that "unfeigned faith... dwelt" in Eunice. As we deal with this text today, let's notice some features about this faith.

I. This Was A Remembered Faith

As he begins to write this very personal letter, Paul reflects in verse 2 upon his "dearly beloved son"

in the faith. He assures Timothy in verse 3, "I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day." He also mentions that he is "mindful of (Timothy's) tears" in verse 4. Then in verse 5, Paul has called "to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in" Timothy. As he thinks about Timothy and his faith, his mind stretches further back in time and he recalls how faith had "dwelt" in Timothy's family. From Acts 16:1 we know that Timothy, and possibly his family, lived at Lystra. John Rutherfurd writes, "It was on the occasion of Paul's first missionary journey (to Lystra in Acts 14:6-7) that Eunice and Timothy were converted to Christ, and it was, in all likelihood, on the same occasion that Lois also became a Christian."1 If this is true, then Paul is contemplating this faith that began twenty years earlier. So many recollections in life are accompanied by regret. We look back over the pages of our lives and wish we had done things differently, but there is no disappointment in a life lived for Christ. According to Roswell D. Hitchcock, the name Lois means, "better,"2 and Lois' life as well as that of Eunice and Timothy had been better since they had believed in Jesus. This faith is not something to regret or criticize. On the contrary, Paul is commending this faith as he remembers that it "dwelt first in...grandmother Lois, and...mother Eunice" (2 Timothy 1:5).

II. This Was A Real Faith

There are a couple of terms in our text that magnify the reality of faith in this family. First, the word "unfeigned" declares that this was a legitimate faith. This word is derived from the Greek term anupokritos, meaning without falsehood or pretense. The term is used six times in the New Testament, and it is rendered four times as "unfeigned" (2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22). In Romans 12:9, the word is translated "without dissimulation," and in James 3:17 it is translated "without hypocrisy." Three times the term is used to modify love (Romans 12:9; 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:22). In James 3:17 it describes "the wisdom that is from above." Then Paul used the term twice to describe genuine "faith" (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5). We might call this "unfeigned faith" a believable believing. Notice the second word in the text that magnifies faith's reality. Paul said that faith "dwelt" in these women. Too often faith seems to inhibit a person, but this faith inhabited Lois and Eunice. Faith had taken up residence in their lives. This word "dwelt" tells us that this was a living faith. James mentions twice that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20,26). Therefore, the faith of Lois and Eunice must have been an active and vibrant faith. A dead, inanimate body can lay in a house; but a thinking, breathing, moving person lives in a house. A real, live faith occupied these women!

III. This Was A Reproduced Faith

God settled it in Genesis 1 that everything would bring forth after its "kind," that is after its species. That's why apple trees produce apples instead of oranges. That's why humans beget humans.

Similarly, love has the potential of producing love. Friendliness brings friendship. Hope begets hope. On the negative side, hate begets hate and anger begets anger. Paul's statement in 2 Timothy 1:5 reveals a faith that has not only been memorable and authentic, but also a faith that has been reproductive. Had faith begotten atheism or agnosticism? A thousand times, "No." Faith had produced faith! Paul mentions the first recipients of this faith. It had "dwelt first in (Timothy's) grandmother Lois, and (Timothy's) mother Eunice." Lois must have shared her faith with her daughter Eunice, and then Eunice must have shared her faith. Paul is writing to the further recipient of this faith, who was Eunice's son Timothy. As we noticed earlier, Eunice had shared with Timothy "from a child ...the holy scriptures," which had made him "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). Paul is doubly sure of faith's presence in Timothy's life; for he referred to "the unfeigned faith that is in" Timothy, and he again said, "I am persuaded that" this faith is "in thee also" (2 Timothy 1:5). Did faith become a barren element in Timothy's life? I don't believe so, because Paul kept emphasizing faith to him. He told Timothy to be "holding faith"(1 Timothy 1:19), exemplifying faith (1 Timothy 4:12), fighting "the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12), and following faith (2 Timothy 2:22). I have no doubt that faith continued to be productive.

Conclusion

Because it is Mother's Day, our primary focus has been upon parental faith. But the aspects of faith that we have discussed are applicable to all who possess personal faith. Even in the text, these aspects applied to all three members of this family. Paul tells us that Lois, Eunice, and Timothy had a remembered faith. All three had a real faith. It's likely that each one had a reproductive faith. So you don't have to be a mother or grandmother today to enter into this kind of faith. You might be a father, an uncle, a daughter or son. You might even be an orphan with no family ties at all; but dear friend, you can personally experience this life of faith. And in light of eternity, isn't that what really matters?

Mothers, we honor you today for the hundreds of things that you do each day and each week. We appreciate you for doing the laundry, the dishes, the house cleaning, the grocery shopping, for bringing in that extra income, for helping the kids with homework, and so much more. We're grateful for your love, and compassion, and patience, and willingness, for making that house a home. These are the kind of things that will create fond and precious memories when you are gone. But even more, Mothers, we thank you for weeping, for praying, for singing, for training "up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6), for having a faith in God that you were willing to share! It is your faith that will give us hope when you are gone. Does saving, sustaining, systematic faith dwell in you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------