Lexical Summary Euniké: Eunice Original Word: Εὐνίκη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eunice. From eu and nike; victorious; Eunice, a Jewess -- Eunice. see GREEK eu see GREEK nike NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eu and niké Definition "victorious," Eunice, the mother of Timothy NASB Translation Eunice (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2131: ΑὐνίκῃΑὐνίκῃ (Rst Ἐυνεικη (see εἰ, ἰ); literally, conquering well), Ἐυνικης, ἡ, Eunice, the mother of Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:5. Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting Eunice appears once in the Greek New Testament (2 Timothy 1:5) as the mother of Timothy, Paul’s trusted co-worker. A Jewish believer dwelling in Lystra (Acts 16:1), she was married to a Gentile husband. Her name, formed from two common Greek elements, reflects the victory God would bring through her offspring. Family Line and Cultural Context Though her husband remained outside Jewish covenantal customs—Timothy was uncircumcised until Paul took him on mission (Acts 16:3)—Eunice and her mother Lois cultivated a God-fearing household. They represent the first generation of Jews in Asia Minor who received the gospel during Paul’s initial journey (Acts 14:6–23). Their home thus bridged synagogue and church, Old Testament heritage and apostolic proclamation. Transmission of Faith Paul commends Eunice’s “sincere faith” (2 Timothy 1:5) that moved from grandmother to mother to son. The verb “lived in” (enoikéō) underscores a dynamic, enduring presence of faith that shaped Timothy “from infancy” through constant exposure to “the sacred Scriptures” (2 Timothy 3:15). Eunice embodies Deuteronomy 6:6–7—diligently teaching God’s words within the home—demonstrating that parental discipleship precedes and undergirds church ministry. Scriptural Emphasis on Maternal Instruction • Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 31:26 These texts highlight a mother’s role in forming biblical convictions, showing Eunice as part of a long line of covenant mothers like Jochebed, Hannah, and Elizabeth. Impact on Pauline Mission Because Timothy’s character was already proven, Paul could immediately enlist him (Acts 16:2–3). Timothy later co-authored letters (2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1), carried sensitive assignments (1 Thessalonians 3:2), and pastored Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Every church strengthened through Timothy’s service indirectly benefited from Eunice’s early labor. Eunice in Early Church Memory Second-century tradition lists Eunice and Lois among “holy women” of Iconium and Lystra, renowned for hospitality to itinerant preachers. While extra-biblical details are sparse, the respect accorded them underscores their perceived importance in apostolic foundations. Key Themes for Theology and Ministry 1. Genuine faith is recognizable and reproducible. Selected Passages for Further Study 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14–15 Applications for Today’s Church • Encourage parents to integrate Scripture into daily routines. Forms and Transliterations Ευνικη Εὐνίκῃ Eunike Eunikē Euníkei EuníkēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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