Paul praised "the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice" (2 Timothy 1:5). "Children's children are the crown of old men" (Proverbs 17:6), and God's mercy reaches "unto children's children" (Psalm 103:17). "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age" (Psalm 92:14).
A grandmother's prayers, stories, and steady faith often shape a family for generations. Scripture honors that role. Paul traced Timothy's faith back to his grandmother Lois, and the book of Ruth closes with Naomi holding her grandson in her arms. These twelve King James passages celebrate grandmothers and their legacy: biblical grandmothers of faith, the blessing of children's children, and God's faithfulness into old age. They are good for a birthday card, Grandparents Day, or a memorial. For verses about mothers and motherhood, see mothers.
Grandmothers of faith in Scripture
1. 2 Timothy 1:5
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
The only grandmother named as such in the New Testament is Lois, whose sincere faith passed to her daughter Eunice and then to Timothy. A grandmother's quiet faith can shape a pastor, a missionary, or a whole family line.
2. Ruth 4:14-16
"And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
After years of loss, Naomi held her grandson Obed and became his nurse, and the women praised the LORD. Obed would be the grandfather of King David. A grandmother's joy can be a sign of God's restoring kindness.
3. Titus 2:3-5
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Paul calls older women to be teachers of good things and to mentor younger women. Many grandmothers live this out at the kitchen table, sharing wisdom, encouragement, and faith with daughters, granddaughters, and friends.
4. Deuteronomy 4:9
"Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"
Moses told Israel to keep their souls diligently and teach God's works to their sons and their sons' sons. Grandparents are named in the plan: telling grandchildren what God has done is a holy task.
The blessing of children's children
5. Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."
Children's children are the crown of old men. It is a sweet verse for a grandmother's birthday card or a new-grandbaby announcement.
6. Psalms 103:17-18
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."
The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting, and His righteousness unto children's children. A grandmother's prayers rest on a God whose faithfulness outlasts every generation.
7. Proverbs 13:22
"A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children. The richest inheritance a grandmother leaves is rarely money; it is faith, character, prayers, and a name worth remembering.
8. Psalms 128:6
"Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel."
Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children. This verse makes a lovely blessing for a grandmother's milestone birthday.
Fruitful in old age
9. Psalms 71:18
"Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."
When I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation. Old age is not retirement from purpose; it is a season to tell the next generation about God.
10. Psalms 92:14
"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;"
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. Faithful grandmothers keep bearing fruit in prayer, kindness, wisdom, and love long after their busiest years.
11. Proverbs 16:31
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Gray hair earned on a long road with God is honored in Scripture, not hidden.
12. Isaiah 46:4
"And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."
Even to hoar hairs will I carry you. God promises to carry His people into old age. It is a comforting verse for an aging grandmother, and a reminder that He who carried her will carry her family too.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for grandmothers who pray, teach and love. Bless them with strength and joy in their later years, let their faith live on in their children's children, and carry them, as You promised, even to gray hairs. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was the grandmother in the Bible?
Lois, Timothy's grandmother, is named in 2 Timothy 1:5 as a woman of sincere faith. Naomi became a grandmother to Obed (Ruth 4:14-16), the grandfather of King David.
What Bible verse is good for a grandmother's birthday?
Proverbs 17:6 ("Children's children are the crown of old men") and Psalm 92:14 ("They shall still bring forth fruit in old age") are favorites. Psalm 128:6 also makes a warm birthday blessing.
What verse can I use for a grandmother's funeral?
Isaiah 46:4, Psalm 71:18 and 2 Timothy 1:5 honor a long life of faith. Our funeral and lost loved ones pages have more comforting verses.
How is this different from verses about mothers?
Our mothers page honors motherhood and a mother's care. This page focuses on grandmothers: generational faith, legacy, grandchildren and fruitfulness in old age.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about women · Bible verses for birthdays · Bible verses about lost loved ones · Bible verses about the faithfulness of God
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