◄ 2 Timothy 3:11 ►
my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
Study Bible
my persecutions,

Paul reminded Timothy of the hostility he had endured because of his apostolic proclamation of Christ. Faithful ministry had brought opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities, fulfilling Jesus’ warning that His servants would be treated as He was treated (John 15:20). Timothy had not received a message of ease, but an example of steadfast faith under pressure.

2Co 12:10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight…
2Co 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed;…
Php 1:29-30 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ…

and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.

Paul referred to events recorded in Acts 13–14 during his first missionary journey. In Antioch of Pisidia, Jewish leaders stirred up persecution and drove Paul and Barnabas from the region (Acts 13:50). In Iconium, many believed, but opposition grew into a plot to mistreat and stone the missionaries (Acts 14:5–6). In Lystra, enemies from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the crowds to stone Paul and drag him outside the city, believing he was dead (Acts 14:19). Timothy likely knew these places well, especially Lystra, his home region, and had seen that Gospel ministry could demand great personal cost.

Act 13:50-51 The Jews, however, incited the religious women…
Act 14:1-6 At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual…
Act 14:19-20 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium…

What persecutions I endured!

Paul did not conceal the severity of his trials. His endurance displayed the grace of God sustaining a servant who continued to preach where opposition had already become violent. Rather than allowing suffering to turn him from Christ, persecution confirmed the reality of his calling and strengthened his witness to the churches.

2Co 11:23-25 Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking as if I were…
1Co 4:11-13 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty,…
Act 20:23-24 I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me…

Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

The Lord preserved Paul through every attack and enabled him to continue the work appointed to him. After being stoned at Lystra, Paul rose and returned to the city before continuing his mission (Acts 14:20). God’s rescue did not mean Paul avoided suffering or death forever; it meant that no enemy could end his ministry before the Lord’s purpose was fulfilled. The same faithful Lord remains present with His people in affliction and will ultimately deliver them into His heavenly kingdom.

2Ti 4:17-18 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me,…
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD…
2Pe 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is writing to Timothy, recounting his experiences of persecution and God's deliverance.

2. Timothy
The recipient of the letter, a young pastor and protégé of Paul, being encouraged to remain steadfast in his faith.

3. Antioch
A city where Paul faced opposition and persecution during his missionary journeys.

4. Iconium
Another city where Paul encountered resistance and threats to his life.

5. Lystra
The city where Paul was stoned and left for dead, yet he survived and continued his mission.
Teaching Points
Endurance in Persecution
Paul’s recounting of his sufferings serves as a powerful testimony of endurance. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing trials and opposition.

Divine Deliverance
The Lord's rescue of Paul from his persecutions is a reminder of God's faithfulness. Christians can trust in God's deliverance, knowing that He is sovereign over all circumstances.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following Christ may lead to persecution, as seen in Paul's life. Believers should be prepared for the cost of discipleship, understanding that suffering for the Gospel is part of the Christian journey.

Mentorship and Encouragement
Paul’s relationship with Timothy highlights the importance of mentorship in the faith. Mature believers should invest in younger Christians, encouraging them to persevere in their spiritual walk.

Faithfulness in Ministry
Despite the challenges, Paul remained faithful to his calling. Christians are called to be faithful in their ministry, trusting that God will use their efforts for His glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's experience of persecution in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra encourage you in your own trials?

2. In what ways can you see God's deliverance in your life, similar to how Paul experienced it?

3. How can the example of Paul’s endurance inspire you to remain faithful in your current ministry or calling?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to mentor and encourage others in their faith journey, as Paul did with Timothy?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12 relate to Paul's experiences, and how can they shape your understanding of persecution and blessing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 13-14
These chapters provide the historical context of Paul's missionary journeys, detailing the specific events of persecution in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
Paul lists his sufferings and hardships, providing a broader context of the trials he faced for the sake of the Gospel.

Psalm 34:19
This verse speaks of the righteous facing many troubles, but the Lord delivering them from all, echoing the theme of divine rescue.

Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus' teaching on the blessings of those who are persecuted for righteousness, aligning with Paul's experiences and encouragement to Timothy.
Sermons
Grievous TimesR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 3:1-17
A Copy to Write ByT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Apostolic ImitationT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Both Doctrines and Graces Must be GoodT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Cassock and CharacterC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Christian ConsistencyM. Henry.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Commands Should be Enforced by Example2 Timothy 3:10-11
Deliverances, to be NotedT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Life an Eloquent SermonBp. Lightfoot.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Patience in MinistersT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Paul's Path of SufferingVan Oosterzee.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Persecution BeneficialT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Precedents Better than PreceptsT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Best Patterns DefectiveT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Example of Superiors PowerfulT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Power of a Godly LifeLife of James Fraser of Brea.2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Preaching that TellsBritish Weekly2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Stimulus of ExampleW. M. Taylor, D. D., Old Poet., Burke.2 Timothy 3:10-11
We Must Come Up to the Best PatternsT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
Wicked Men Hate the GoodT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Career of the Apostle Commended as an Example to His Youthful DiscipleT. Croskery 2 Timothy 3:10-12
People
Jambres, James, Jannes, Paul, Timothy
Places
Ephesus, Iconium, Lystra, Pisidian Antioch
Topics
Afflictions, Antioch, Attacks, Befel, Befell, Cruel, Deliver, Delivered, Endured, Free, Iconium, Ico'nium, Kinds, Lystra, Pain, Persecutions, Punishments, Rescued, Sufferings, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 3:11

     6660   freedom, through Christ
     6738   rescue

2 Timothy 3:10-11

     2060   Christ, patience of
     5828   danger
     8215   confidence, results
     8418   endurance

2 Timothy 3:10-12

     1620   beatitudes, the
     2425   gospel, requirements

Library
Fathers and Children'
Malachi iv. 5, 6. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. These words are especially solemn words. They stand in an especially solemn and important part of the Bible. They are the last words of the Old Testament. I cannot but think that it was God's will that they should stand …
Charles Kingsley—Sermons for the Times

Nineteenth Day for the Holy Spirit on Christendom
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Christendom "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."--2 TIM. iii. 5. "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead."--REV. iii. 1. There are five hundred millions of nominal Christians. The state of the majority is unspeakably awful. Formality, worldliness, ungodliness, rejection of Christ's service, ignorance, and indifference--to what an extent does all this prevail. We pray for the heathen--oh! do let us pray for those bearing …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

The Author to the Reader.
CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the Next Assizes, which was on the 19Th of the First Month, 1662.
I shall pass by what befell between these two assizes, how I had, by my jailor, some liberty granted me, more than at the first, and how I followed my wonted course of preaching, taking all occasions that were put into my hand to visit the people of God; exhorting them to be steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ, and to take heed that they touched not the Common Prayer, etc., but to mind the Word of God, which giveth direction to Christians in every point, being able to make the man of God perfect …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers. …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings
III. The collection of eighteen hymns, which in their Greek version bear the name of the Psalter of Solomon, must originally have been written in Hebrew, and dates from more than half a century before our era. They are the outcome of a soul intensely earnest, although we not unfrequently meet expressions of Pharisiac self-religiousness. [6315] It is a time of national sorrow in which the poet sings, and it almost seems as if these Psalms' had been intended to take up one or another of the leading …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Holy Scripture.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."-- 2 Tim iii. 16, 17. Among the divine works of art produced by the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Scripture stands first. It may seem incredible that the printed pages of a book should excel His spiritual work in human hearts, yet we assign to the Sacred scripture the most conspicuous place …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle xxx. To Narses, the Religious (Narsæ Relegioso) .
To Narses, the Religious (Narsæ Relegioso) [1710] . Gregory to Narses, &c. When I was sending Romanus the guardian (defensorem) to the royal city, he sought long your letters, but they could not be found: but afterwards they were found among many letters from other persons, your Sweetness, therein telling me of your afflictions and tribulations of spirit, and making known the oppositions to you of bad men. But, I pray you, in all this recall to your mind what I believe too that you never …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Endurance of the World's Censure.
"And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them; neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house."--Ezekiel ii. 6. What is here implied, as the trial of the Prophet Ezekiel, was fulfilled more or less in the case of all the Prophets. They were not Teachers merely, but Confessors. They came not merely to unfold the Law, or to foretell the Gospel, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Dread of Ridicule.
24th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. ix. 24. "And they laughed Him to scorn." INTRODUCTION.--"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. iii. 12.) This is what S. Paul says. This is what everyone of you must make up your mind to, if you intend to live godly lives, and, moreover, to live in Christ. Do you know what that meant to the early Christians? It meant that if they were going to be firm in their faith, live up to their profession, and eschew evil, they should …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Of the Unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of Persons
Deut. vi. 4.--"Hear, O Israel The Lord our God is one Lord."--1 John v. 7 "There are three that bear record in heaven the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Tim. iii. 16. There is no refuse in it, no simple and plain history, but it tends to some edification, no profound or deep mystery, but it is profitable for salvation. Whatsoever …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Honour and Glory unto Him.
IN Revelation V, that great worship scene, beginning some day in heaven and going on into future ages, we read of the Lamb to whom honor and glory are due. He alone is worthy. And every heart who knows Him rejoicing in His love, cries out, "Thou art worthy!" Yea, the sweetest song for the redeemed soul is the outburst of praise, which we find on the threshold of His own Revelation. "Unto Him that loveth us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Inspiration.
"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God."-- Rev. iii. 1. We do not speak here of the New Testament. Nothing has contributed more to falsify and undermine faith in the Scripture and the orthodox view concerning it than the unhistoric and unnatural practise of considering the Scripture of the Old and the New Testament at the same time. The Old Testament appears first; then came the Word in the flesh; and only after that the Scripture …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter xi (Circa A. D. 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims
The Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims He consoles this abbot for the departure of the Monk Drogo and his transfer to another monastery, and exhorts him to patience. 1. How much I sympathize with your trouble only He knows who bore the griefs of all in His own body. How willingly would I advise you if I knew what to say, or help you if I were able, as efficaciously as I would wish that He who knows and can do all things should advise and assist me in all my necessities. If brother Drogo had consulted …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles …
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

The Perfect Heart.
For the eyes of the Lord ran to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him--2 CHRON. xvi. 9. This passage occurs in the history of Asa, one of the most godly and devoted kings that ever sat upon the throne of Judah. We are told in the fourteenth chapter that he commenced his reign by setting himself to destroy the idolatry into which the whole nation had been betrayed by its former ruler, and to restore the worship and service …
Catherine Booth—Godliness

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