Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
Acts 16:1,2 NIV
A few more details about Timothy's life are provided by the text in 2 Timothy 1:5, in which the apostle Paul writes, "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."
Thus, we know that a woman named Eunice lived in the small town of Lystra in Asia Minor; she was a Jewish Christian and lived in a religiously divided home with her Greek husband, her son Timothy, and her own mother, Lois.
But Eunice was not alone in her faith. It appears that Timothy was instructed in the "Holy Scriptures" by his mother and maternal grandmother, Lois, as we read in 2 Timothy 3:14,15: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
Eunice and Lois played a truly pivotal role in Timothy's life! The name Eunice means "blessed with victory," and in this woman, we can see the victory of being able to raise a child in the ways of God, despite the presence of a Greek, unbelieving husband. Eunice's example is also an encouragement to those women who do not have the joy of having a husband converted to the Gospel, that they may continue to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.
The name Timothy means "He who worships God." In this name, I see the statement of faith of Eunice who, believing against all hope, called her son to salvation. I imagine that Eunice must have had moments of discouragement as well, especially as she watched her son grow up amid the customs and habits of that pagan town. But in that name, Timothy, the one who worships God, she found the strength to be confident that he who began a good work in him will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (see Philippians 1:6). "Timothy, you will worship God!" was her conviction.
And so it was. We can learn much from Eunice and Lois. Faith drove them to raise Timothy in a spiritually healthy way. Sometimes this can take great courage, especially when there are religious disagreements in the family. But the efforts and self-sacrifice of Lois and Eunice were amply rewarded as they saw Timothy progress spiritually to the point of becoming an excellent missionary. Eunice and Lois, are excellent examples to follow.