2 Timothy 1:5 Living Faith

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

This fascinating statement begins with Paul recalling Timothy's sincere faith, faith that was not hypocritical like that of some others. Timothy's story is a little buried in the New Testament but this verse, with others, suggests that Timothy's mother and grandmother, though not his father, were sincere believers, though under the old covenant at first. Presumably when Paul came to Derbe and preached the women were confirmed in their faith and young Timothy also believed and was circumcised when Paul decided to take him along on his journeys. Here Paul talks of this sincere faith having been housed first in Timothy's grandmother Lois then in his mother Eunice and now it was living in Timothy, Paul was persuaded. Each in turn gave a home to faith, which is ultimately God's gift. To have a mother or grandmother who has made a home for faith is an inestimable blessing. They cannot pass on their faith in any simple way but when you have seen what faith does in a person at close quarters it is a great privilege and makes you receptive to the idea of trusting in Christ for yourself. In ministry we need to seek to expose people to those who have made house room for faith.