Lois
Overview
- Testament: New
- Role: Grandmother of Timothy; praised by Paul for her sincere faith which lived first in her before passing to Eunice and Timothy
- Family: Jewish; mother of Eunice; grandmother of Timothy
- Key Books: 2 Timothy
Biography
Lois is one of the most briefly mentioned yet theologically significant women in the New Testament. She appears by name only once, in 2 Timothy 1:5, where Paul writes: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”
The structure of Paul’s sentence is significant. Faith “dwelt first” in Lois — she was the originating source in this three-generation chain. It then moved to her daughter Eunice, and from Eunice to Timothy. Paul’s confidence that the same sincere faith now lives in Timothy rests on his observation of its roots: the faith is recognizable, it has a family character and consistency, and its origin can be traced back to an elderly woman in Lystra.
Whether Lois converted to faith in Christ before or during Paul’s first visit to Lystra (Acts 14:6–20) is unknown. Some scholars suggest that Paul himself may have been the instrument of her conversion on that first visit. Others suggest she was already a devout Jewish woman whose faith was transformed through the gospel. In either case, her faith clearly became the spiritual foundation of her household.
The name “Lois” does not appear in the Greek Septuagint or elsewhere in the New Testament, suggesting it may be a name of non-Jewish origin — though she is described in a Jewish family context. Regardless of her name’s background, her character is defined entirely by one word: faith. Specifically, “sincere faith” (the Greek anhypokritos — literally “unfeigned,” “without pretense”). This is the same word used for the love that characterizes true Christian community (Romans 12:9) and the genuine character Paul calls Timothy to pursue.
Lois is not given a narrative, no actions are ascribed to her, and no speeches are recorded. But she is remembered in Scripture as the first link in a chain of faith that produced one of the most important leaders of the early church, and Paul considered her faith worth naming across time.
Key Events
- Named as the first bearer of sincere faith in Timothy’s family line (2 Timothy 1:5)
- Grandmother who passed faith through her daughter Eunice to Timothy
Relationships
Important Verses
- 2 Timothy 1:5
Cross-References
- 2 Timothy 1 - Only mention in Scripture
Notes
- Lois holds the distinction of being the first in her family’s faith chain — the originating grandmother whose personal faith proved durable enough to transmit across two generations
- The Greek word for “sincere” (anhypokritos — literally “without hypocrisy”) signals that Paul valued the authentic, consistent quality of faith over formal religious performance
- Paul’s tribute to Lois by name is a reminder that God records and honors the quiet faithfulness of ordinary believers whose influence is measured not in public ministry but in the children and grandchildren they form in the faith