2 Timothy 3:11
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Paul's first missionary journey (AD 46-48) introduced Timothy to Christianity's cost. Seeing Paul stoned and left for dead, then return preaching the next day, demonstrated resurrection power and apostolic courage. Timothy converted during this time, observing both persecution's reality and God's faithfulness. Paul's appeal to these specific incidents reminds Timothy of formative experiences shaping his faith. The persecutions weren't accidents but normative Christian experience (v. 12). Yet God's deliverance was equally certain—not always preventing suffering but sustaining through it.
Questions for Reflection
- What persecutions and afflictions have you endured for Christ, and how has God's faithfulness sustained you through them?
- Do you view suffering for righteousness as abnormal problem needing explanation or normal Christian experience requiring perseverance?
- How can testimonies of God's deliverance from past trials encourage present faithfulness when facing new opposition?
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Analysis & Commentary
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Paul continues listing what Timothy observed, focusing on suffering. "Persecutions, afflictions" (tois diōgmois, tois pathēmasin, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν). Diōgmos (διωγμός) means persecution—organized opposition and hostility. Pathēma (πάθημα) means suffering, affliction—physical and emotional pain endured.
Paul specifies three cities: "Antioch, Iconium, Lystra"—all in southern Galatia, visited during Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). At Pisidian Antioch, Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:50). At Iconium, opponents attempted stoning (Acts 14:5). At Lystra, they succeeded—Paul was stoned, dragged outside the city, and left for dead (Acts 14:19). Timothy, from Lystra, likely witnessed this (Acts 16:1-2). Seeing Paul's near-martyrdom and subsequent return to ministry made profound impression on young Timothy.
Despite horrific persecution, Paul testifies: "but out of them all the Lord delivered me" (kai ek pantōn me erysato ho kyrios, καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρύσατο ὁ κύριος). The verb ryomai (ῥύομαι) means rescue, deliver, save from danger. God's faithfulness sustained Paul through every trial. This wasn't prosperity gospel—Paul suffered terribly—but preservation gospel: God enabled endurance and ultimate deliverance, whether through survival or death (Philippians 1:20-21). This encouraged Timothy facing similar trials: God will sustain him too.