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. 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.
The verse recalls the persecutions and afflictions that came upon Paul at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which he endured, and declares that out of them all the Lord delivered him. At his first visit to Lystra the heathen first greeted him as a god, then opposing Jews followed on his track and by falsehood and misrepresentation turned the reverence of the people into insult, abuse, and a determination to kill him, bringing violent persecution and suffering upon the apostles. Out of those persecutions the Lord delivered Paul so that he afterward returned again to the same scene of danger to look after the fruit of his labors. The converts to Christ were not intimidated by the violent persecution but were confirmed in the faith, believing that through trial and suffering the kingdom of Christ would be reached.
At Lystra Paul was stoned and left apparently dead, then rose bruised and covered with blood, praising Jesus that he had been allowed to suffer for His name rather than groaning or murmuring. Timothy personally witnessed those sufferings at Lystra and saw him rise to praise Jesus for being allowed to suffer for His name. That experience bound Timothy to Paul in Christian sympathy and prepared and strengthened him to serve alongside the apostle without being deterred or appalled by the prospect of suffering and persecution.
The verse holds up Paul's endurance and deliverance before Timothy as the pattern for faithful ministry and as encouragement to all who faithfully serve God. It is to be heeded with Paul's teaching in 2 Timothy 3-4 by enduring afflictions while faithfully carrying out ministry amid false teaching and the perils of the last days. That pattern means watching in all things, enduring afflictions, doing the work of an evangelist, and making full proof of ministry. It means holding all Scripture as given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, preaching the word, being instant in season and out of season, and reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, even when the time comes when people will not endure sound doctrine but heap up teachers with itching ears and turn from truth to fables.
In close connection the verse teaches that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. The verse applies at this time to every minister and to all the churches throughout the world. It calls brethren to wake out of lethargic slumber, to trim their lamps with grace and let them shine in clear, bright rays to a world in darkness, and to do the great work and bear the message of fitting up a people to stand in the day of the Lord.