Mothers with Faith

Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Approximately fifty-nine percent of African American households are headed by women. This statistic is often given to explain the problems that the African American community faces in today’s culture. The assumption is that children raised in single parent homes will have more difficulties than those raised in homes that have both mothers and fathers. While statistics may give strong indicators about a given situation in terms of social, economic, and educational achievements I want us to consider the fact that there are a large number of children raised in homes with both parents that end up with the same failures that we often attribute to single parent households. At the same time there are children raised in single parent homes that achieve the same successes as children that are raised in homes with both parents. What is the point? It is simply this. There are many factors that determine the success and failures of a person. The scripture that I have chosen for today’s article suggest that faith in the family may be a stronger indicator than the structure of the family. I do not discount the importance of family structure. I confess that I was raised in a family with both parents. I also will say that there were many factors that were against us. I’m simply saying that structure does not eliminate many other factors and among them there is faith.

In 2 Timothy Paul writes to his beloved son in the ministry to give him advice on how to deal with the difficulties that he is facing in the church. Before Paul offers advice on strategies, he tells Timothy that it is most important that he rely on his faith. This faith was first in his grandmother and mother, and Paul is persuaded that this same faith is in Timothy also. We will notice that Paul does not mention Timothy’s father. Why is this? The answer is found in Acts 16:1-3 where we first meet Timothy.

On Paul’s second missionary journey with Barnabas Paul comes to the town of Lystra. Paul encounters a disciple named Timothy. Timothy is described as “the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.” (Acts 16:1-2, NASB). Now, let us look at some things that the text does not tell us. First, the text does not tell us if Timothy’s mother is married to Timothy’s father. It does not tell us how this Jewish woman became involved with a Greek man. The point that seems to matter is that this Jewish woman became a woman of faith that believed the gospel when she heard it from Paul when he came to her town on Paul’s first missionary journey. Since we are saved by faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9), it seems to me that the family structure takes second place to the faith that resides in the family.

We read that Paul wants to take Timothy with him because the brethren speak highly of Timothy because of his faith (Acts 16:3). However, there seems to be a problem. Paul wants to circumcise Timothy. How do we explain this when the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) concluded that Gentiles do not need to be circumcised to be saved? Bible scholar John B. Polhill helps us to understand this dilemma. Polhill writes, “According to later rabbinic law, a child born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father was considered to be Jewish. The marriage of a Jewish woman to a non-Jew was considered a nonlegal marriage; and in all instances of nonlegal marriages, the lineage of the child was reckoned through the mother. According to this understanding, Timothy would have been considered a Jew” (Acts in The New American Commentary vol. 26 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992, 343). Since Timothy is a Jew he needs to be circumcised. Since Paul believes that Timothy has faith, what is the significance of his grandmother and mother’s faith?

In last week’s devotional “Family Legacy” we briefly discussed how one’s regard for their legacy helps them to be the best person that God’s calls them to be. Paul is saying to Timothy: You were raised by a grandmother and mother with faith. I am persuaded that this faith was passed down to you. Therefore, if you will tap in to that faith you will be able to meet the challenges that you are facing. This faith is more than words spoken. You have seen this faith demonstrated in the life of your grandmother and your mother. So, as you face challenges there are a few things that your grandmother and mother have demonstrated in your presence. Let us consider some of these.

First, Paul writes, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7, NASB). Some scholars say that Timothy was a shy person. Although Timothy may be timid, with faith he can overcome his natural tendency to be timid. His timidity does not have to be the deciding factor as he faces challenges. When we have faith in God, He gives us a spirit that has the ability mingled with love for his opponents and the discipline to conduct himself in a manner that God is pleased with.

Second, Timothy’s natural tendency to be timid does not have to control him in such a way that he is ashamed of the gospel and of Paul. Instead, he is able to endure suffering. He can stand with Paul, who is in prison, and boldly proclaim the gospel; that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God, and our hope of salvation (1:9-14).

Third, Timothy can face the challenges that false teachers bring to him. Timothy is to expect challenges. Paul writes, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ will be persecuted” (3:12, NASB). Paul again reminds Timothy of the faith of his grandmother and mother. He writes, “You, however continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (vv. 14-15, NASB).

Did you get that? Timothy’s mother and grandmother have taught him the sacred writing, the Old Testament Scriptures, from childhood. When Lois and Eunice heard the gospel of Jesus Christ they believed the good news. We have stated earlier that we know very little about Timothy’s father; only he was a Greek. So, here it is folks. Lois has a daughter named Eunice. Eunice gives birth to a son fathered by a Greek, a non believer. Regardless of Eunice’s relationship to this Greek man, Lois continues to love Eunice. She reminds Eunice that God is love. God is merciful, and God forgives sins. Timothy has seen his mother hold to her faith in God in spite of anything she may have done. Her personal weaknesses and failures do not eliminate her faith. Instead, her faith gives her power to overcome all challenges. This is the faith that Timothy has seen his mother exhibit throughout his life. Lois and Eunice are indeed mothers with faith.