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2 Timothy 3:11 |
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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.
Note 6 at 2 Tim. 3:11: Timothy was from the area of Lystra and Derbe (Acts 16:1). The cities of Lystra (see note 4 at Acts 14:6, p. 655), Derbe (see note 5 at Acts 14:6, p. 656), and Iconium (see note 3 at Acts 13:51, p. 654), were in a kind of triangle, all with in a 25 mile radius of Lystra. Therefore, Timothy was well acquainted with Paul's persecutions in those places.
It was at Lystra that Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19). No other persecutions against Paul in those areas are chronicled in the book of Acts. Paul had said that persecutions and afflictions awaited him in every city (Acts 20:23). It can be supposed that there were criticisms against him in all those places.
Note 7 at 2 Tim. 3:11: There were two different places called Antioch during Paul's day. One of the Antioch's was actually a stronghold of Christianity (see note 3 at Acts 11:19, p. 638). This is where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).
The other Antioch was located in Asia and was called Antioch of Pisidia (see note 1 at Acts 13:14, p. 649). This is the Antioch where Paul experienced persecution (Acts 13:45-50). This persecution came on his first missionary journey prior to the time he brought the gospel to Lystra where Timothy lived. Therefore, Timothy must not have seen Paul's persecution in Antioch but he was fully informed about it.
Note 8 at 2 Tim. 3:11: Paul said God had delivered him out of all his persecutions. Many people today would not like the way he was delivered. Paul wasn't kept from persecution. He list a few of his persecutions in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30. He was beaten with stripes and with rods. He was imprisoned often and suffered tremendous rejection everywhere he went. Yet, Paul said God had delivered him out of all his persecution.
Paul had many scars, but he was still alive and preaching the gospel. That's all that mattered to him. Those who value their lives more than Paul did, will not feel like God has delivered them out of all persecution. It's not because God treats them differently than He treated Paul. It's because their values are different than Paul's.
