Eunice
Timothy’s mother, whose sincere faith, learned from her own mother, shaped a church leader.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts, 2 Timothy · Also known as Mother of Timothy
About Eunice
Eunice lived at Lystra, "a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek." Her son Timothy grew up to be "well reported of by the brethren," and Paul took him as his travelling companion. Paul later reminded Timothy of "the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice," and that "from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures." Her faithfulness at home helped raise one of the early church’s most trusted leaders.
Eunice has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about her. Her name is Greek, meaning "good victory." Married to a Greek husband, she raised her son in the Jewish Scriptures, and believed in Jesus, probably through Paul’s first visit to Lystra.
The story
A Jewess, and believed
At Lystra, "a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium."
Acts 16:1-2
Thy mother Eunice
Paul wrote to Timothy, "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
2 Timothy 1:5
From a child
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:14-15
Key moments
- A believer in Lystra: "Which was a Jewess, and believed." (Acts 16:1)
- Her son joins Paul: "Well reported of by the brethren." (Acts 16:2-3)
- Remembered for her faith: "Thy mother Eunice." (2 Timothy 1:5)
- Taught the Scriptures: "From a child." (2 Timothy 3:15)
Questions about Eunice
Who was Eunice?
Timothy’s mother, a Jewish believer in Lystra: "a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek." Paul names her in his last letter, remembering "the unfeigned faith... which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice." That one sentence is all the Bible says of her, and it’s high praise.
How did Eunice raise Timothy?
With the Scriptures. Paul wrote, "from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus," and told him to remember "of whom thou hast learned them." Eunice, with her mother Lois, made God’s word part of his childhood, and her faith was "unfeigned," sincere, not just for show.
Was Eunice’s husband a believer?
Acts says only that "his father was a Greek," and doesn’t say he believed. Timothy hadn’t been circumcised as a child, which suggests his father was not Jewish in practice. Whatever her household, Eunice passed her faith to her son, an encouragement to anyone raising children in faith on their own.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15.