Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
11. afflictions, which came unto me ] It is better to make the ‘afflictions’ go with the preceding, and make a new clause commence with the relative. So R.V. sufferings; what things befell me; what persecutions.
The Antioch meant is that in Pisidia, originally planted by the Magnesians. Seleucus the son of Antiochus re-settled it, and called it Antioch after the name of his father: which name it kept, though under Augustus made a colony with the additional name of Csarea. Plin. N.H. v. xxvii. 24 ‘Pisid quorum colonia Csarea, eadem Antiochia.’ Its ruins are still to be seen, one of the most striking objects being a very perfect aqueduct of twenty-one arches. See Lewin, Life of St Paul, i. 137. For the work and sufferings at Antioch see Act 13:14-50. The place usually understood by Antioch would be the large and important city of Antioch in Syria; but in writing to Timothy, whose home was in that district, St Paul would use the word with its well-known local meaning.
Iconium lies S.E. of Antioch at a distance of sixty miles, on the dusty highroad connecting Ephesus with Antioch of Syria. It is still called Cogni, and, like Damascus, is an oasis in the desert, by the dry plains of Lycaonia. See Act 13:51 to Act 14:6.
Lystra lies about forty miles to the south of Iconium, on the same road, in a hollow, on the north side of which rises Kara Dagh or the Black Mountain. Its ruins remain and are called ‘the thousand and one churches,’ it having been an episcopal see under the Byzantine emperors. This was Timothy’s birth-place. See Act 14:6-20.
St Paul mentions these places and his sufferings there, (1) because they were the first, in his first period of ministry, (2) they were well known to Timothy and may well have led him to cast in his lot with the Apostle. See Introduction, pp. 57, 59, 62.
but out of them all ] Rather, and, yet with an ascending force which marks a contrast, so that ‘and yet’ is hardly too strong; though the more exact rendering is to lay stress on ‘all’ and on ‘delivered,’ cf. Winer, iii. 53, 3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Persecutions – On the meaning of this word, see the notes at Mat 5:10.
Afflictions – Trials of other kinds than those which arose from persecutions. The apostle met them everywhere; compare the notes at Act 20:23.
Which came unto me at Antioch – The Antioch here referred to is not the place of that name in Syria (see the notes at Act 11:19); but a city of the same name in Pisidia, in Asia Minor; notes, Act 13:14. Paul there suffered persecution from the Jews; Act 13:45.
At Iconium; – notes, Act 13:50. On the persecution there, see the notes at Act 14:3-6.
At Lystra; – Act 14:6. At this place, Paul was stoned; notes, Act 14:19. Timothy was a native of either Derbe or Lystra, cities near to each other, and was doubtless there at the time of this occurrence; Act 16:1.
But out of them all the Lord delivered me – See the history in the places referred to in the Acts .
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Persecutions – which came unto me at Antioch] The Antioch mentioned here was Antioch in Pisidia, to which place Paul and Barnabas came in their first apostolic progress, and where Paul delivered that memorable discourse which is preserved in the 13th chapter of Acts, Ac 13:16-43. In this city, it is said, the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts; but they shook of the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium, Ac 13:50-51. Here there was an assault made both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them despitefully, and to stone them, and they fled unto Lystra and Derbe; and there came thither certain Jews, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. The historian informs us that his life was miraculously restored, and that he departed thence, and came to Derbe, and afterwards returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, where they had lately been so grievously persecuted. See Ac 14:5-6; Ac 14:19-21. These are the persecutions, c., to which the apostle alludes and we find that he mentions them here precisely in the same order in which, according to the relation of St. Luke, they occurred. Now it is said here that Timothy fully knew all these things; and we may naturally suppose they could not be unknown to him, when it is evident he was either a native of, or resided in, those parts; for when the apostle, sometime after the above, visited Derbe and Lystra, behold, a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium; Ac 16:1-2. As these things happened in his own neighbourhood, Timothy must have known them; for a person who had such a religious education as he had could not be unacquainted with these persecutions, especially as we may believe that his mother and grandmother had been converts to Christianity at that time. See several useful remarks in Dr. Paley’s Horae Paulinae, on these circumstances, page 312.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
What persecutions for the preaching of the gospel I was under; what
afflictions I met with at Antioch in Pisidia, Act 13:14,45,50; at Iconium, whither he went from Pisidia; of the afflictions he met with there also, read Act 14:1-28.
At Lystra; what persecutions I endured: the apostle went from Iconium to Lystra, Act 14:6, there also he was persecuted, Act 14:19. Now it seemeth that in all these motions Timothy was in Pauls company and a follower of him, so as he was a witness to all; which assureth us that though we first read of Timothy. Act 16:3, when he was circumcised, yet Paul knew him before.
But out of them all the Lord delivered me; yet God delivered Paul from all these, and that Timothy, being all that time in company with Paul, knew; from whence the apostle would have him take courage, exercise patience under suffering for such preaching and such living, being assured that God would deliver him also, preaching the same truth, and living the same holy life, though he met with the same troubles, persecutions, and afflictions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. afflictions“sufferings.”
whichGreek,“such as.”
in Antiochof Pisidia(Act 13:14; Act 13:50;Act 13:51).
Iconium (Ac14:1-5).
Lystra (Act 14:6;Act 14:19).
whatHow grievous.
out of . . . all . . . Lorddelivered me (2Ti 4:17;Psa 34:17; 2Co 1:10).An encouragement to Timothy not to fear persecutions.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch,…. In Pisidia; where the Jews that contradicted and blasphemed his doctrine, and envied his success, stirred up the chief of the city, both men and women, against him, and Barnabas; who persecuted them and expelled them out, of their coasts, Ac 13:45 and also at Iconium; where both Jews and Gentiles made an assault upon them, to use them ill, and stone them, Ac 14:5 and likewise at Lystra; where the apostle was stoned, and drawn out of the city, and left for dead, Ac 14:19. And these instances are the rather mentioned because they were done in those parts, where Timothy had lived, Ac 16:1 and so knew the truth of these things, not only from the apostle’s mouth, but from the testimonies of others; and perhaps he might have been a witness to some of them himself;
what persecutions I endured: not only in the above places, but elsewhere; see a detail of them in 2Co 11:23,
but out of them all the Lord delivered me; see 2Co 1:10 2Ti 4:17, this he says to the glory of the grace and power of God, to whom he ascribes all his deliverances; and for the encouragement of Timothy, and other saints, under sufferings, who may hope and believe that the Lord will deliver them in his own time and way, Ps 34:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
What things befell me ( ). Qualitative relative () referring to actual experiences of Paul (, second aorist middle indicative of ) more fully described in 2Co 11:30-33. The Acts of the Apostles tell of his experiences in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14; Acts 13:45; Acts 13:50), in Iconium (Ac 14:1-5), in Lystra (Ac 14:6-19). See also Ga 2:11.
What persecutions I endured ( ). Qualitative relative again with . The verb is first aorist active indicative of , old verb, to bear under as in 1Co 10:13.
Delivered me ( ). First aorist middle of , old verb, with here as in 1Th 1:10. Used again of the Lord Jesus in 4:18.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Persecutions, afflictions [, ] . Diwgmov persecution, only here in Pastorals. Occasionally in Paul. Paqhma, only here in Pastorals. Often in Paul, usually in the sense of sufferings, but twice of sinful passions, Rom 7:5; Gal 5:24.
Antioch, Iconium, Lystra. See Act 13:50; Act 14:2 ff.; Act 14:19. ‘these cities may have been selected as illustrations because Timothy was at home in that region. See Act 16:1, 2. Antioch is mentioned by Paul, Gal 2:11. Iconium and Lystra nowhere in his letters.
Delivered [] Often in Paul. Originally, to draw to one’s self; to draw out from peril. Paul, in Rom 11:26, applies the prophecy of Isa 69:20 to Christ, who is called a oJ rJuomenov the deliverer, LXX
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Persecutions” (tois diogmois) “The persecutions (of me), 2Co 11:30-33.
2) “Afflictions, which came unto me” (tois pathemasin oia moi egeneto) “The sufferings which happened to me,” Psa 34:17-19.
a) “At Antioch” (en antiocheia) “in Antioch,” Act 13:14; Act 13:45; Act 13:50.
b) “At Iconium” (en Ikonio) “In Iconium,” Act 14:1-2; Act 14:5.
c) “At Lystra” (en Lustrois) “in Lystra,” Act 14:6; Act 14:19.
3) “What persecution I endured” (oious diogmous hupenegka) “What persecutions I bore;” 2Co 11:23-28; In Israel, in Asia, and in Europe, on three continents for the Master’s sake.
4) “But out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (kai ek panton me errusato ho kurios) “And out of all (I bore) the Lord delivered me,” 1Co 10:13; 2Co 12:10; Mat 5:10-12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
11 But out of them all the Lord delivered me It is a consolation which mitigates the bitterness of afflictions, that they always have a happy and joyful end. If it be objected, that the success of which he boasts is not always visible, I acknowledge that this is true, so far as relates to the feeling of the flesh; for Paul had not yet been delivered. But when God sometimes delivers us, he testifies, in this manner, that he is present with us, and will always be present; for from the feeling, or actual knowledge, of present aid, our confidence ought to be extended to the future. The meaning, therefore, is as if he had said, “Thou hast known by experience that God hath never forsaken me, so that thou hast no right to hesitate to follow my example.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) Persecutions, afflictions.St. Paul adds to persecutions afflictionsfor not merely were his plans thwarted, his hopes baffled, his friends alienated, through the persistent enmity of his opponents, but bodily suffering was inflicted on himstoning, scourging, long and weary periods of imprisonment, were among the repeated sufferings he endured for his Masters sake. The question has been asked why, out of the pages of the closely written diary of his lifes experiences, does St. Paul select the events which took place at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra? Was there anything special in what he endured in these places? The most satisfactory answer seems to be that, with regard to the general reader or hearer of this Epistle, what happened in these places, years before, were good examples of what had often taken place since. These were among the first cities in which St. Paul preached in the course of his missionary journeys. But a deeper reason existed for the choice of these places in his case to whom the Epistle was originally addressed. What happened on that first journey would never be forgotten by Timothy: some of the incidents were among his first experiences with St. Paul of the workothers had taken place just before St. Paul took him as his friend and associate, and, no doubt, had been often discussed in Timothys hearing in those anxious never-to-be-forgotten hours which preceded his choice of the calling of a missionary. Hearing of these very deeds of endurance done for the crucified Master, perhaps, not a little contributed to Timothys resolve to emulate these acts, and to join himself closely to the heroic missionary teacher. Certainly, the memory of what happened then St. Paul knew would possess a strong and weighty influence with his disciple, even though the events themselves were only such as had been repeated often since in his long lifes experience. (For details respecting what took place at Antioch, &c., see Acts 13, 14)
What persecutions I endured.Some commentators understand these words as an exclamation: What persecution I endured! It is, however, better simply to translate the Greek, Such persecutions as I endured; in other words, Thou hast been a witness of my sufferings, such [sufferings] as I endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, such persecutions as I endured, but out of them, &c. Chrysostom remarks how both these clauses supply encouragement to the harassed servant of God. The first, that St. Paul displayed a noble readiness to endure persecution; the second, that God never left him alone. It was as though he said to Timothy, surely no danger, no trouble, however great, need appall you. You know what I have gone through, yet in all God was with me and has kept me safe. Be sure He will be with you too.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘Persecutions, sufferings, what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.’
Furthermore he had first hand knowledge of Paul’s persecutions and sufferings, and what befell him at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (Timothy’s home town – Act 16:1-2), and he knew how he had been delivered, for he was there when some of it happened and would at least have learned about the remainder (see Act 13:13 to Act 14:20). Was it something that Timothy could ever forget, when, having watched with great sadness the stoning of the great Apostle who had come to them, and having seen his lifeless corpse dragged out of the town, Paul had somehow survived and had risen up and had come back into the town? Indeed let Timothy remember how the Lord delivered him out of all his afflictions. What more evidence then does he need?
Some may ask, why look so far back? The answer, of course is that Paul knows what a great impression these things had made on the young Timothy, and he wants to remind him of them. They had provided a foundation for Timothy’s faith. Indeed they may well have been partly responsible either for his conversion or for a rededication of his life, and have contributed to his resulting call (Act 16:1). To him therefore those experiences meant much more than something that had happened more recently. They had been the very bedrock of his dedication. The mention of them reveals therefore that the writer is someone very familiar with Timothy’s inner life, and experience as a young man, and who more so than Paul?
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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.
Ver. 11. What persecutions I endured ] Gr. , what manner of persecutions. A Christian may without sin be sensible of injuries and indignities. Only it must be the mourning of doves, and not the roaring of bears. A sheep may be as sensible of the biting of a dog as a swine is, though he raise not such a dust, make not such a din.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 3:11 . : Act 13:14 ; Act 13:45 ; Act 13:50 ; : Act 14:1-2 ; Act 14:5 ; : Act 14:6 ; Act 14:19 .
: There is no necessity to supply, with Alf., “Thou sawest”.
: and yet . The verse is an echo of Psa 33 (34):18, . See also reff.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
afflictions. Greek. pathema. Generally transl suffering. See Rom 7:5.
at. App-104.
Antioch, &c. See Act 13:50; Act 14:5, Act 14:19.
endured. See 1Co 10:13.
out of. App-104.
Lord. App-98.:2, A.
delivered, Compare 2Co 1:10.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ti 3:11. , , , at Antioch, Iconium, Lystra) Act 13:14; Act 13:51; Act 14:6.-) shows the weightiness of the matter in hand: 1Ma 5:56, he heard the valiant and warlike deeds, , how great were the acts which they did.- , how great persecutions) The noun repeated after the interposition of another adds perspicuity and weight to what is said. and are species and genus: persecution is properly, when they drive a man from one city to another, or when they attempt to apprehend him in his flight; but suffering is any calamity in general, for example, when Paul was stoned, etc.-, I endured) The mark of an apostle.-, delivered) Another mark, to be miraculously preserved; Psalms 34 (33):17, , He delivered them out of all their afflictions.- , the Lord) Christ.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Ti 3:11
persecutions, sufferings;-[Not only were his plans foiled, his hopes baffled, his friends alienated through the persistent enmity of his opponents, but bodily sufferings were inflicted on him-stoning, scourging, long imprisonments were among the repeated sufferings he endured for his Master’s sake.]
what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;-He recalls the persecutions and afflictions he had endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. These were neighboring cities. Timothy was reared at Lystra and was no doubt acquainted with the facts, which are as follows: The Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. (Act 13:50.) And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: and there they preached the gospel. (Act 14:5-7.) When these persecutions occurred, Timothy may not have been a member of the church, but lived at Lystra, and knew of them, and at a subsequent visit of Paul and Silas became a companion of Paul and Silas. (Act 16:11.)
what persecutions I endured:-Timothy was acquainted with the facts of Pauls persecutions, and he mentions them to encourage him in his work and to strengthen him for the trials which would certainly come upon him in his work.
and out of them all the Lord delivered me.-[He was cared for by the Lord, who said: All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth (Mat 28:18), to whom he belonged to order the earthly destiny of his servants. The Lord, who had more work for him to do, delivered him out of the hands of his enemies-gave him up to friends when he was left for dead by his enemies.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Persecutions: Act 9:16, Act 20:19, Act 20:23, Act 20:24, Rom 8:35-37, 1Co 4:9-11, 2Co 1:8-10, 2Co 4:8-11, 2Co 11:23-28, Heb 10:33-34
at Antioch: Act 13:45, Act 13:50, Act 13:51, Act 14:2, Act 14:5, Act 14:6, Act 14:19-21
but: 2Ti 4:7, 2Ti 4:17, 2Ti 4:18, Gen 48:16, 2Sa 22:1, 2Sa 22:49, Job 5:19, Job 5:20, Psa 34:19, Psa 37:40, Psa 91:2-6, Psa 91:14, Isa 41:10, Isa 41:14, Isa 43:2, Jer 1:19, Dan 6:27, Act 9:23-25, Act 21:32, Act 21:33, Act 23:10, Act 23:12-24, Act 25:3, Act 25:4, Act 26:17, Act 26:22, 2Co 1:10, 2Pe 2:9
Reciprocal: 1Sa 23:14 – but God Psa 107:6 – he delivered Isa 33:18 – heart Jer 38:28 – General Mat 5:10 – are Luk 6:22 – when men Act 14:21 – Lystra Act 16:1 – to Derbe Act 16:2 – Iconium 1Co 4:11 – and are buffeted 1Co 13:7 – endureth 2Co 6:4 – afflictions 1Th 3:3 – we are 2Ti 2:3 – endure Heb 11:25 – Choosing
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ti 3:11. Persecutions and afflictions denote the same experiences referred to in the preceding verse, but are repeated in connection with the places where the apostle had the experiences. At Antioch (Act 13:14 Act 13:50), at Iconium (Act 14:2), at Lystra (Act 14:6 Act 14:19). Paul does not mention these things out of a desire to “feel sorry for himself,” but to give force to his next declaration that out of them all the Lord delivered me, which is added for the encouragement of Timothy and others.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 3:11. There is something at once natural and touching in the way in which the aged apostle goes back to the memories of the first missionary journey in which Timothy had known him. It is true that he did not then accompany him, but he must have known every incident of the persecutions recorded in Acts 13, 14. The Antioch is, of course, that in Pisidia, and the fact that it is not mentioned as such is, so far as it goes, a proof of the naturalness and therefore of the genuineness of the letter. Persecution and then deliverance, that had been the course of his life then. He is confident that it will be so to the end.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at {c} Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me.
(c) Which is in Pisidia.