other · 50 · Lystra
Paul came back to Lystra — the town where the crowd had stoned him and dragged him out for dead on the first journey — and took on the local disciple. Acts describes Timothy by his parentage: the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. It does not name her. Second Timothy does, and adds a generation: 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 also. It is the only place the New Testament traces a faith through three named generations, and all three are women. Paul then circumcised him, because of the Jews in those places who knew his father was Greek — a decision hard to square with Galatians until you notice it is about access to synagogues rather than about salvation.
To replace the companion lost in the quarrel over Mark, at the town where Paul had been stoned.
A lifelong colleague, two letters, and a household the New Testament traces through three generations of women.