2 Timothy 1:5 — Godly Parents — Wicked Parents

In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul commended Timothy, his young companion in the gospel, for the unfeigned, i.e., genuine, faith which was in him, and which earlier had been in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. What a warming example of godly parental influence.

The Old Testament contains a glaring contrast which is worthy of notation. One of Judah’s wicked kings was Ahaziah, of whom the Bible says: “he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah” (2 Chronicles 22:4). The Lord eventually destroyed him (v. 7).

A partial explanation for this king’s perversity was due to a sinful parental influence, for we note that his mother was the evil Athaliah, who “was his counsellor to do wickedly” (v. 3), and his grandmother was the infamous Jezebel.

Thus, in the margin of your Bible beside 2 Timothy 1:5 write: See 2 Chronicles 22:3 for a contrast.