Dwelt in (1774) (enoikeo from en = in + oikéo = dwell) means literally to “dwell in”, to take up residence, make one's home in or among. To live in, inhabit; dwell in. All the NT uses of enoikeo are metaphorical.
The idea of “be at home,” defines the depth and extent to which faith has become a vital and integral part of their lives. Apply this same thought to the other things that dwell in believers in the NT -- the Word of Christ, the Spirit, God, sin.
Vine observes that enoikeo
is used, with a spiritual significance only, of (a) the indwelling of God in believers, 2Co 6:16; (b) the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Ro 8:11; 2 Ti 1:14; (c) the indwelling of the word of Christ, Col. 3:16; (d) the indwelling of faith, 2 Ti 1:5; (e) the indwelling of sin in the believer, Ro 7:17. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)
Here in 2 Timothy 1:5, enoikeo is used in a figurative sense meaning “to dwell in one and influence for good.” The root word oikos means “a home,” and the root verb oikeo means “to live at home” and so
"the supernatural faith resident in Timothy was at home in him in the sense that it held free sway over his life." (Wuest's Word Studies : Eerdmans). (Bolding added)
Enoikeo is found 5 times in the NAS (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians; 6" class="scriptRef">6" class="scriptRef">Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:14) and 40 times in the Septuagint (Lev 26:32; 9" class="scriptRef">9" class="scriptRef">19.26" class="scriptRef">2 Ki 19:26; 22:16, 19; Isa 5:3, 9; 21.14" class="scriptRef">21:14; 22:21; 23:2, 6; 24:1, 6, 17; 26:5, 9, 18" class="scriptRef">18, 21; 27:5; 32:18f; 33:24; 37:26; 40:22; 65:21f; Jer 27:11; 31:24; 42:17; 44:8; 49:1, 18; Da 9:7)
Ray Pritchard explains how this reminder of Timothy's godly legacy would have encouraged the young disciple writing that...
"We all have a heritage, a family tree. We all have a spiritual history—whether good or bad. We are Christians because someone influenced us to come to Christ. No one comes completely on his own. We all have others who make their mark on us and help us come to the place where we put our trust in Christ alone. We will be blessed and strengthened as we remember where we came from."
Paul uses enoikeo in this same chapter describing the Holy Spirit being "at home" in he and Timothy...
"Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in (enoikeo = present tense = continuously) us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (see note 2 Timothy 1:14).
Paul in explaining the potential believers now possess to live a new quality of life writes...
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells (oikeo) in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells (enoikeo = present tense = continually resident, has the idea of being in one’s own home) (see note Romans 8:11) In a marvelous and incomprehensible way, the very Spirit of God makes His home in (enoikeo) the life of every person who trusts in Jesus Christ.
Paul again uses enoikeo to explain that God's presence in us should motivate us to "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2Corinthians 7:1). Paul writes
"Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (2Corinthians 6:16)
Paul in the last NT use of enoikeo, exhorts the saints at Colossae (and all believers) to....
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within (enoikeo - literally "let it house in you" - a command to do this continually) you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (see note Colossians 3:16) Paul desires that the Word would be "at home" and "be given the run of the house" (so to speak). (Comment: Wuest says that "The exhortation is to the effect that the Christian is to so yield himself to the Word that there is a certain at-homeness of the Word in his being. The Word should be able to feel al home in his heart. The saint should give it unrestricted liberty in his life." (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
Luke records that on Paul's second missionary journey...
"he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek." (Acts 16:1 )
In sum, sincere faith was not just an occasional visitor in Lois and Eunice,
but was a permanent resident and an abiding presence exerting its influence for good on these godly role models as well as on Timothy himself.
Timothy enjoyed the great blessing of having a godly heritage, even though it was only one parent and one grandparent who contributed.
The Word of God holds out the occupation of being a faithful wife and mother as a high and sacred calling! (see notes Titus 2:4; 2:5)
"The woman's duty is to give to a child a home of faith and to faith a home in the child. " (Hodges)
Note also that in the Roman world, fathers had absolute authority over the family, and since Timothy’s father was not a Christian, his home situation was probably less than ideal and yet God used these godly women in this "less than ideal environment" so that through them
"from childhood (Timothy came to know) the sacred writings which (were) able to give (him) the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (see note 2 Timothy 3:15)
It will be a joy to meet Lois and Eunice in Heaven in the age to come! Note that it was the faith of these two godly women that greatly impacted Timothy's life not simply their knowledge of God. Who is watching your "faith"?
Note the testimony concerning the parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elizabeth who
"were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord" (Lu 1:6). (Who was watching them?)
J R Miller writes...
There is something in genealogy, after all. It is a fine thing for a young man to have had a good mother and a godly grandmother. This does not mean that a man is necessarily good because of the faith that dwelt in his grandmother and his own mother. Goodness cannot be passed down like an estate. Some very bad men have had most pious ancestry. At the same time, it is fitting when in successive generations piety is found. A young man with worthy ancestors owes it to them to be worthy. He should keep unspotted the white name he receives. We are responsible for the carrying on of the work which they have begun.
Paul was persuaded that the faith of his grandmother and mother was also in Timothy. It should always be so with young people with Christian parents. Those who have a noble inheritance, of memories, influences and teachings, should be better than those who have not had these blessings.
Spurgeon comments that...
There is no transmigration of souls, but there is a kind of transmigration of faith, as if the very form and shape of faith, which was in Lois and Eunice, afterwards appeared in Timothy. Truly, there are certain idiosyncrasies which may pass from some Christian people to others; and when those idiosyncrasies are of a high and noble kind, it is a great mercy to see them reproduced in children and children’s children. “I thought I heard your mother speak,” said one, when she heard a Christian woman talking of the Savior, “you speak in just the way in which she used to tell out her experience, and describe the love of Christ.”
Grace does not run in the blood, but it often runs side by side with it. The “grandmother Lois” and the “mother Eunice “ had the true grace of saving faith dwelling in them, and Paul was persuaded that it dwelt in the son and grandson Timothy. (Spurgeon, C. H. Exposition)
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Charles Haddon Spurgeon the prince of preachers, telling about his grandfather in one of his sermons, said: "He had a large family and a very small income but he loved his Lord, and he would not have given up his preaching of the Gospel for anything, not even for an imperial crown. He has told me often how the Lord provided for him. He had a little farm to get his. living upon it, and he had a cow which used to give milk for his many children, and one day when he came up to the cow it fell back with the staggers and died.
"Grandmother said, 'James, how will God provide for the dear children now? What shall we do for milk?' "'Mother,' he said, 'God said He would provide, and I believe He could send us fifty cows if He pleased.' "It so happened that on that day a number of gentlemen were meeting in London, persons whom he did not know, were sitting as a committee for the distribution of money to poor ministers, and they had given it to all who had asked for any; he liked to earn his own money. He did not send in any petition or appeal. Well, after the gentlemen had distributed to all who had asked there was five pounds over, and they were considering what they should do with this balance.
"'Well,' said one, 'there is a Mr. Spurgeon down at Stambourne, in Essex, a poor minister. He stands in need of five pounds.' "'Oh,' said another, 'don't send him five pounds. I will put five to it. I know him. He is a worthy man.' "'No,' said another, 'don't send him ten pounds. I will give another five pounds if somebody else will put a fourth five to it.' "The next morning came a letter to grandfather with ninepence to pay! Grandmother did not like to pay out ninepence for a letter, but there was twenty pounds in it; and as my grandfather opened it he said, 'Now, can't you trust God about an old cow?'" How faithful God is!—Watchman-Examiner
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Jay Kesler wrote that...
A life thoroughly committed to Christ, lived and tested over time, seasoned with experience and humility, is more powerful than most people ever imagine. People who have a heritage of godly grandparents carry this influence in their lives sometimes without recognizing its source.
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For Future Generations - When a team of Christians visited Stavropol, Russia, in 1994 to hand out Bibles, a local citizen said he recalled seeing Bibles in an old warehouse. They had been confiscated in the 1930s when Stalin was sending believers to the gulags. Amazingly, the Bibles were still there. Among those who showed up to load them into trucks was a young agnostic student just wanting to earn a day's wage. But soon he slipped away from the job to steal a Bible. A team member went looking for him and found him sitting in a corner weeping. Out of the hundreds of Bibles, he had picked up one that bore the handwritten signature of his own grandmother. Persecuted for her faith, she had no doubt prayed often for her family and her city. God used that grandmother's Bible to convict that young man. God has no grandchildren. We must each become first-generation believers through personal faith in Jesus. But the devotion to God of a grandparent or parent is a powerful ally of His Spirit to bring our children to Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy by recalling the faith of his grandmother and mother. Although Timothy's faith was his own, it was deeply linked to theirs. What an admonition to us who are parents and grandparents to be faithful! -- Dennis J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
We can help our precious children
Follow in God's way,
Living out our faith with gladness,
Praying every day. --Sper
Better than having children bear your name
is to have your children bear Christ's name.
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The Mom Box - Each Christmas I give both of my daughters a “Mom box.” Each box contains items to encourage them to be the best mothers they can be. It might have craft books or special projects, devotional books or tapes geared toward young moms, first-aid kits, recipes for cooking with kids—and often something personal like bubble bath for a little pampering after a tough day of mothering! It’s become a tradition that Rosemary and Tanya have looked forward to every year for the last decade.
Encouraging our children to be good parents can begin even earlier. The best way is to start equipping them with the Word of God while they are still young.
The apostle Paul wrote that “from childhood” Timothy had known “the Holy Scriptures” (see note 2 Timothy 3:15). And 2 Timothy 1:5 mentions the “genuine faith” of Timothy’s mother and grandmother. That faithful teaching and spiritual influence helped to enable Timothy to be a godly man.
The Bible is our richest resource to help us raise children who will know and love Jesus. Nothing is more essential than “the Holy Scriptures” to equip them for all of life’s challenges.
What are you doing to make the next generation “wise for salvation through faith”? (see note 2 Timothy 3:15). —Cindy Hess Kasper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Parents, give your children guidance
And instruction from God’s Word;
Then with wisdom and compassion
Teach them how to love the Lord. —Sper
The character of our children tomorrow
depends on what we put into their hearts today.
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John MacArthur mentions that
Some years ago I was involved in a discussion regarding the choice of a man to take up the leadership of a well-known Christian organization. In looking over the list of prospects, I commented that it was interesting that every one of those men had a godly pastor for a father. The Lord has, of course, raised up many faithful leaders, including Paul, from ungodly and even godless families. But a high percentage of the great men throughout church history have come from godly homes. Timothy’s father was an unbelieving Gentile (Acts16:3), but his mother and grandmother were believers of great godliness." (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press)
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Our Daily Bread - As a lawyer, as a congressman, as Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, William McKinley had a close relationship with his mother. He either visited her or sent a message to her every day. When she became seriously ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by, ready to take him to her bedside. Mrs. McKinley died December 12, 1897, in the arms of her 54-year-old son. Her gentle, Christian virtues helped mold the President's character, for when he was gunned down in Buffalo, New York, about 4 years later, he showed no bitterness toward his assassin. With Christian courage he said, "God's will be done." Before he died, he asked to hear once again the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee," which his mother had taught him.
Perhaps you too have been blessed with a Christian heritage. But unlike McKinley, you've strayed from God. Confess your sin and come back to the Lord. Let the precious memories of that special person in your life, who all these years has been pointing you to God, awaken in your heart a new desire to live for Him. Don't turn your back on the influence of your godly mother. --Dennis J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Our thanks, O God, for mothers
Who show, by word and deed,
Commitment to Thy will and plan
And Thy commandments heed.
--Johnson
No man is poor who has had a godly mother!
--Abraham Lincoln
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Mothers Who Pray - The faith and prayers of mothers can have a profound impact on the lives of their children. First Samuel 1 records Hannah's plea and God's answer in the birth of her son Samuel. And in a letter to Timothy, Paul referred to the faith of Timothy's mother, which I'm sure was often expressed in earnest prayer on his behalf. No wonder he was used of God in the early church.
I know a pastor's wife who is a woman of prayer. Whenever her husband left for an important meeting or visit, she prayed a sentence or two for him, asking the Lord's guidance, protection, wisdom, and strength. She usually prayed aloud and the children often heard her, but she never thought much about the impact it would have on them.
Imagine this mother's delight when her college-bound daughter said that leaving home would be easier because she knew that her mother would pray for her--and keep on praying!
Sometimes mothers feel frustrated because they think they are limited in what they can do for their children. But they can always pray--and their prayers are among the most cherished gifts of all. —David C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
I heard my name in Mother's prayer
When I was but a child,
And now because of her concern,
To God I'm reconciled. --Hess
A mother's prayers
can build a fortress around her children
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Live Honestly - As children grow up, we who are parents or leaders pray that they will learn to discriminate more and more between right and wrong. But be prepared! Eventually these children will compare our actions with our words. If what we do and what we say don’t match up, they will be confused, not knowing which to follow—our actions or our words.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul could honestly say, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did” (2Ti 1:3). His actions and his words agreed.
Paul then described Timothy’s faith as “genuine” and pointed to his spiritual heritage: the genuine faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2Ti 1:5). Later in his letter, the apostle urged Timothy, “Continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures” (2Ti 3:14, 15). Christians whose actions and words are consistent can influence generations of people for Christ.
Children put a searchlight on the quality of our lives. “Do as I say” is not the highest standard, but rather an honest life that invites, “Do as I do.” That means having actions and words that match up. Do yours? —Joanie Yoder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Blest is the household where honesty reigns,
Where dad and mom practice the truth;
Blest are the children whom God leads and trains,
And are taught His Word from their youth. —Fitzhugh
Children are more likely to do what you do than to do what you say.
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Happy Childhood at Stambourne - C H Spurgeon's Grand Legacy of Grandparents - Spurgeon's grandfather once said to young Charles “I have nothing to leave you but rheumatic gout; and I have left you a great deal of that.” However as one reads C H Spurgeon's own recollections of his days at his grandparents home in Stambourne, it becomes abundantly clear that grandfather and Reverend James Spurgeon who pastored an Independent Church left his grandson a great deal more than that.
Young Spurgeon went to live with his grandparents when he was about one year old and soon was quite attracted to the message and the ministry of of preaching as modeled by his grandfather.
The story is told that as a teenager, young Spurgeon was once asked to preach at a church in Suffolk but he was delayed, which forced grandfather Spurgeon to begin preaching in his place. Upon seeing the young Spurgeon's arrival in the sanctuary, Reverend James Spurgeon declared
Here comes my grandson. He may preach the gospel better than I can, but he cannot preach a better gospel—can you, Charles?
Charles continued the sermon right where his grandfather had left off. As great a preacher as James Spurgeon was, as providence would have it, his and grandmother Spurgeon's most fruitful ministry was their investment in the life of young Charles, who went on to become by most accounts the greatest and most prolific preacher the world has ever known outside of those in the Scriptures. If you are a grandparent (and even as I write this I am anticipating my first 3 grandchildren in 2008), I pray you (and I) take this encouraging story to heart and pour yourselves into the lives of the grandchildren God sees fit to place in your life.
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Here are a few of C H Spurgeon's recollections of his time with his grandparents...
In this best parlour grandfather would usually sit on Sunday mornings, and prepare himself for preaching. I was put into the room with him that I might be quiet, and, as a rule, The Evangelical Magazine was given me. This contained a portrait of a reverend divine, and one picture of a mission-station. Grandfather often requested me to be quiet, and always gave as a reason that I "had the magazine." I did not at the time perceive the full force of the argument to be derived from that fact; but no doubt my venerable relative knew more about the sedative effect of the magazine than I did. I cannot support his opinion from personal experience. Another means of stilling "the child" was much more effectual. I was warned that perhaps grandpa would not be able to preach if I distracted him, and then,—ah! then, what would happen, if poor people did not learn the way to Heaven? This made me look at the portrait and the missionary-station once more. Little did I dream that some other child would one day see my face in that wonderful Evangelical portrait-gallery.
When I was a very small boy, I was allowed to read the Scriptures at family prayer. Once upon a time, when reading the passage in Revelation which mentions the bottomless pit, I paused, and said, "Grandpa, what can this mean?" The answer was kind, but unsatisfactory, "Pooh, pooh, child, go on." The child, however, intended to have an explanation, and therefore selected the same chapter morning after morning, and always halted at the same verse to repeat the enquiry, hoping that by repetition he would importune the good old gentleman into a reply. The process was successful, for it is by no means the most edifying thing in the world to hear the history of the Mother of Harlots, and the beast with seven heads, every morning in the week, Sunday included, with no sort of alternation either of Psalm or Gospel; the venerable patriarch of the household therefore capitulated at discretion, with, "Well, dear, what is it that puzzles you?" Now "the child" had often seen baskets with but very frail bottoms, which in course of wear became bottomless, and allowed the fruit placed therein to drop upon the ground; here, then, was the puzzle,—if the pit aforesaid had no bottom, where would all those people fall to who dropped out at its lower end?—a puzzle which rather startled the propriety of family worship, and had to be laid aside for explanation at some more convenient season. Queries of the like simple but rather unusual stamp would frequently break up into paragraphs of a miscellaneous length the Bible-reading of the assembled family, and had there not been a world of love and license allowed to the inquisitive reader, he would very soon have been deposed from his office. As it was, the Scriptures were not very badly rendered, and were probably quite as interesting as if they had not been interspersed with original and curious enquiries.
I can remember the horror of my mind when my dear grandfather told me what his idea of "the bottomless pit" was. There is a deep pit, and the soul is falling down,—oh, how fast it is falling! There! the last ray of light at the top has disappeared, and it falls on—on—on, and so it goes on falling—on—on—on for a thousand years! "Is it not getting near the bottom yet? Won't it stop?" No, no, the cry is, "On—on—on." "I have been falling a million years ; am I not near the bottom yet?" No, you are no nearer the bottom yet; it is "the bottomless pit." It is on—on—on, and so the soul goes on falling perpetually into a deeper depth still, falling for ever into "the bottomless pit"—on—on—on—into the pit that has no bottom! Woe, without termination, without hope of its coming to a conclusion!
In my grandfather's garden there was a fine old hedge of yew, of considerable length, which was clipped and trimmed till it made quite a wall of verdure. Behind it was a wide grass walk, which looked upon the fields; the grass was kept mown, so as to make pleasant walking. Here, ever since the old Puritanic chapel was built, godly divines had walked, and prayed, and meditated. My grandfather was wont to use it as his study. Up and down it he would walk when preparing his sermons, and always on Sabbath-days when it was fair, he had half-an-hour there before preaching. To me, it seemed to be a perfect paradise; and being forbidden to stay there when grandfather was meditating, I viewed it with no small degree of awe. I love to think of the green and quiet walk at this moment; but I was once shocked and even horrified by hearing a farming man remark concerning this sanctum sanctorum, "It 'ud grow a many 'taturs if it wor ploughed up." What cared he for holy memories? What were meditation and contemplation to him? Is it not the chief end of man to grow potatoes, and eat them? Such, on a larger scale, would be an unconverted man's estimate of joys so, elevated and refined as those of Heaven. Alphonse Karr tells a story of a servant-man who asked his master to be allowed to leave his cottage, and sleep over the stable. What was the matter with his cottage? "Why, Sir, the nightingales all around the cottage make such a 'jug, jug, jug,' at night that I cannot bear them." A man with a musical ear would be charmed with the nightingales' song, but here was a man without a musical soul who found the sweetest notes a nuisance. This is a feeble image of the incapacity of unregenerate man for the enjoyments of the world to come, and as he is incapable of enjoying them, so is he incapable of longing for them.
In the front of the house, towards the left, nearly hidden by a shrub, is a very important window, for it let light into the room wherein were the oven, the mangle, and, best of all, the kneading-trough. How often have I gone to that kneading-trough; for it had a little shelf in it, and there would be placed "something for the child!" A bit of pastry, which was called by me, according to its size, a pig or a rabbit, which had little ears, and two currants for eyes, was carefully placed in that sacred shrine, like the manna in the ark. Dear grandmother, how much you laboured to spoil that "child"! Yet your memory is more dear to him than that of wiser folks, who did not spoil "the child." Do you now look down from your mansion above upon your petted Grandson? Do you feel as if he would have been better if you had been sour and hard? Not a bit of it. Aunt Ann, who had a finger in it all, would spoil "the child" again if she had a chance. I have put in such an approach to a portrait of my grandmother as I could find: it was taken by some travelling artist who visited the district, and took off several of the family. (Read the entire section entitled Happy Childhood at Stambourne) (Related resources - Spurgeon's Personal Testimony: a must read; See also How childhood influences shaped a great preacher )
AND I AM SURE THAT IT IS IN YOU AS WELL: pepeismai (1SRPI) de hoti kai en soi: (2Ti 1:12; Acts 26:26; Romans 4:21; 8:38; 14.5" class="scriptRef">14:5,14; 15:14; Hebrews 6:9; 11:13)
I am sure (3982) (peitho) means to be convinced to believe something or be persuaded of its veracity. It means to come to a settled persuasion concerning some truth or fact and so to be convinced.
Peitho suggests that a conclusion has been reached on reasonable ground. Paul’s personal observations of the transformation that God had already wrought in his young disciple Timothy led him to form this judgment. He was entirely convinced of the truth of what he said and he thus uses the language of a man who had no doubt on the subject.
The perfect tense signifies that Paul had become persuaded at some point of time in the past and he remains persuaded. Perfect tense speaks of the permanence of his state of persuasion. It expresses Paul's confidence in a once for all completed work of salvation with present ongoing results or effects of that salvation in young Timothy.
"I stand persuaded"
"I have come to a settled persuasion"
It is notable that 22 of 52 NT uses of peitho are by Paul (Romans 5x; 2 Corinthians 4x; Galatians 3x; Philippians 6x;2 Thessalonians; 2 Timothy 2x; Philemon also in v1:12)
It wasn’t enough that this sincere faith was in Timothy’s grandmother and mother, but it had to be in Timothy also. Our children, once of age to be accountable before God, must have their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On the other hand although salvation cannot be inherited from believing parents, it certainly is true that there is a "household principle" in the Scriptures (cf Acts 16:31).
D. Edmond Hiebert writes that Paul's...
mention of (Lois and Eunice) by name indicates that both were personally known to Paul. And now as he reviews his memories of Timothy he is fully persuaded, or assured, that this same faith indwells Timothy also. "This is intended to cheer the depressed disciple, and suggests that whatever others may assert about Timothy, Paul is assured of his sincere godliness" (Pope). (2 Timothy by D. Edmond Hiebert)
We give a lot of thought to what we pass on to our children. You may cherish the crystal and chinaware that belonged to your grandmother. Or it may be something different in your home: a roll top desk, a handmade quilt, or an old family Bible. Heirlooms are important to us. But by the example of our lives, we can pass on to our children even more important things—such as a good name or honorable character. In this verse Paul alludes to the best gift of all—the example of faith in Jesus Christ. As you think about what you'll pass on to your children and grandchildren, don't forget the example of your faith in Jesus. It's the most valuable "heirloom" of all. The values we leave in our children are more important than the valuables we leave to them.
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Heirlooms - "My great-grandfather owned this rifle," the man said proudly. In his hand was a mint-condition rifle from the days when the pioneers were moving across the American West. I admired its beautiful walnut stock and shiny brass fittings. He said, "It came down to my grandfather, who passed it on to my father, who gave it to me. It's been in the family more than 100 years. I'm going to give it to my son when he turns 25."
We give a lot of thought to what we pass on to our children. My wife Shirley cherishes the crystal and chinaware that belonged to her grandmother. It may be something different in your home: a rolltop desk, a handmade quilt, or an old family Bible. Heirlooms are important to us.
But by the example of our lives, we can pass on to our children even more important things—such as a good name or honorable character. Today's Bible reading mentions the best gift of all—the example of faith in Jesus Christ. Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice trusted in Christ and taught Timothy to do the same (2 Ti 1:5; 3:14-15).
As you think about what you'll pass on to your children and grandchildren, don't forget the example of your faith in Jesus. It's the most valuable "heirloom" of all. —David C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
O give us homes built firm upon the Savior,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide,
Where every child is taught His love and favor
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified. —Hart
(c) 1965 Singspiration, Inc.
The values we leave in our children
are more important than the valuables we leave to them.
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Indispensable - A talented stay-at-home mother wrote a delightful essay in which she vividly describes (without complaining) the frustrations, sacrifices, and loneliness that accompany her chosen lifestyle. It's not glamorous to deal with a fussy 18-month-old who is teething, to settle quarrels between an irrational 3-year-old and a pushy 5-year old, and to listen to the incessant chatter of small children. Yet she concludes that her role is indispensable for the total well-being of her children. How true!
The importance of a godly mother's role in the life of a child cannot be overemphasized. Think of Timothy, for example, the young man the apostle Paul considered his spiritual son and a valuable partner in ministry. In his second letter to him, Paul recalled how Timothy had been influenced by "the genuine faith" of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). God used two generations of loving mothers to prepare Timothy for the crucial work he would have in spreading the gospel and establishing congregations of believers in Christ.
Let's praise the Lord for mothers who not only care for their children physically but also nurture them spiritually. Mothers like that are indispensable!—Herbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
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