2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice… I. THE PECULIAR EXCELLENCE FOR WHICH TIMOTHY 1S HERE COMMENDED — "Unfeigned faith." St. Paul goes to the root of all that was excellent in Timothy — namely, his faith. Not but that he could at other times dwell with pleasure on the fruits of that faith; especially when speaking of him to others. A beautiful specimen we have in Philippians 2:19-22. But in writing to Timothy himself, he thinks it most profitable to insist upon the source of that excellent character — his faith. II. THE INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE TO WHICH THE FAITH OF TIMOTHY IS HERE ASCRIBED — namely, the previous faith of his pious mother, Eunice, and of his grandmother, Lois. The only effectual cause to which unfeigned faith can be ascribed, is the grace of Christ and His Spirit. Nevertheless, in conferring this precious gift, the Lord frequently works by instruments or means. The case of these excellent women, then, may lead us to observe the special honour conferred on the weaker sex, in their being often made — 1. Foremost in faith and piety. Man fell by the woman's transgression; but it is by the seed of the woman that he is redeemed. The first convert in Europe was a woman — Lydia. In every period of the history of the Church women have been more open to conviction, more simple believers in Christ, more devoted in their zeal for His cause, than others. 2. Foremost in spiritual usefulness. Such they were in the case before us. Now this remarkable succession of piety, 1.n three generations of the same family, was a blessing from God, in honour of female faith — "unfeigned faith." "Them that honour Me," saith God, "I will honour." (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: When 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. |
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