You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
5 When I
call [lambano] to remembrance [hupomnesis]
the unfeigned [anupokritos] faith [pistis] that is in [en] thee, [soi] which [hostis] dwelt [enoikeo] first [proton] in [en] thy [sou] grandmother [mamme] Lois, [Lois] and [kai] thy [sou] mother [meter] Eunice; [Eunike] and [de] I am persuaded [peitho]
that [hoti] in [en] thee [soi] also. [kai] KJV-Interlinear
5 For I am
mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother
Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. NASB
Eunice means, conquering well, good victory. Lois means, better. From the names of Timothy's mother and grandmother, as well as from Pauls comments here, we have some insight as to his heritage and family upbringing.
Paul describes Timothy's upbringing and faith as unfeigned, 'anupokritos,' meaning that it is not hypocritical in nature, but pure and genuine, and without pretense.
In more ways than one, Timothy is a product of his grandmother and mother, resulting in 'Honoring of God' for which his own name represents.
But there is more to just a name and its general meaning, there is a genuine result in Timothy's life because of doctrine, which he himself has learned and committed himself to, in his life.
Timothy does not bring attention to himself through speech, through public displays, or other overt methods to gain the attention of the public. His character is built from within him by means of doctrine which he has learned and becomes evident to others, not intentionally to gain their attention, but by means of his normal daily life.
The true believer should follow the pattern of Timothy as well as Paul and others, by committing themselves to the study of doctrine, then learning it through that study, and then incorporating it and applying it in their normal daily routines.
And just because Timothy had a very good background, does not mean that, that is the only way you can or could have a good life.
Paul came from a disgusting background. Paul had an education that was exceptional. Paul came from a respectable family. Paul had status and position from within the Priesthood, but none of that contributed to his success.
Paul had to get hit with a blinding light in order to wake up and see his error. And then he had to live a life that was considerably less than that which he was accustomed to.
Doctrine makes you, not your background. Doctrine makes you, not your heritage. Doctrine makes you, not your education. Doctrine makes you, not your status in this world.
All of those things and more, when added together, add up to zero for your life. Only Bible doctrine in your life makes you who you are. A person of meaning and substance, and purpose, and completion.
And only with a daily study, which we are going to document within this very book, can you amount to anything in this life not to mention eternity. And then from the proper perspective of doctrine, are all of the other things in your life put in their proper place.
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Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
