Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

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, Acts 13:16-43. In this city, it is said, the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable 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, Acts 13:50, Acts 13:51. 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 Acts 14:5, Acts 14:6, Acts 14:19-21. These are the persecutions, etc., 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; Acts 16:1, Acts 16:2. As these things happened in his own neighborhood, 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.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Persecutions - On the meaning of this word, see the notes at Matthew 5:10.

Afflictions - Trials of other kinds than those which arose from persecutions. The apostle met them everywhere; compare the notes at Acts 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 Acts 11:19); but a city of the same name in Pisidia, in Asia Minor; notes, Acts 13:14. Paul there suffered persecution from the Jews; Acts 13:45.

At Iconium; - notes, Acts 13:50. On the persecution there, see the notes at Acts 14:3-6.

At Lystra; - Acts 14:6. At this place, Paul was stoned; notes, Acts 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; Acts 16:1.

But out of them all the Lord delivered me - See the history in the places referred to in the Acts.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

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.

At Antioch ... Any forger, writing at a later date, would certainly have specified which Antioch he meant; but Paul, writing to one who was there when it all happened, had no such need, providing inadvertently a convincing mark of the genuineness of this epistle. It was of course Antioch of Pisidia, not of Syria. Of Paul's almost innumerable hardships and persecutions, he chose here exactly those with which Timothy was familiar. Acts 13 and Acts 14 record the events mentioned here, as well as Timothy's connection with them.

Rather than recounting again all of the persecutions endured by the apostle, we should dwell upon the lesson which he advanced on the basis of them, namely, that the Lord had stood by him and delivered him out of every one of them. This, of course, was intended to arm Timothy to the utmost during the persecutions which were certain to descend upon him also.

John Gill's Exposition of 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, Acts 13:45 and also at Iconium; where both Jews and Gentiles made an assault upon them, to use them ill, and stone them, Acts 14:5 and likewise at Lystra; where the apostle was stoned, and drawn out of the city, and left for dead, Acts 14:19. And these instances are the rather mentioned because they were done in those parts, where Timothy had lived, Acts 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 2 Corinthians 11:23,

but out of them all the Lord delivered me; see 2 Corinthians 1:10 2 Timothy 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, Psalm 34:19.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

afflictions — “sufferings.”

which — Greek, “such as.”

in Antioch — of Pisidia (Acts 13:14, Acts 13:50, Acts 13:51).

Iconium — (Acts 14:1-5).

Lystra — (Acts 14:6, Acts 14:19).

what — How grievous.

out of  …  all  …  Lord delivered me — (2 Timothy 4:17; Psalm 34:17; 2 Corinthians 1:10). An encouragement to Timothy not to fear persecutions.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

What things befell me (οια μοι εγενετο — hoia moi egeneto). Qualitative relative (οια — hoia) referring to actual experiences of Paul (εγενετο — egeneto second aorist middle indicative of γινομαι — ginomai) more fully described in 2 Corinthians 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 (Acts 14:1-5), in Lystra (Acts 14:6-19). See also Galatians 2:11.

What persecutions I endured (οιους διωγμους υπηνεγκα — hoious diōgmous hupēnegka). Qualitative relative again with διωγμους — diōgmous The verb is first aorist active indicative of υποπερω — hupopherō old verb, to bear under as in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Delivered me (με ερυσατο — me erusato). First aorist middle of ρυομαι — ruomai old verb, with εκ — ek here as in 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Used again of the Lord Jesus in 2 Timothy 4:18.

Vincent's Word Studies

Persecutions, afflictions ( διωγμοῖς, παθήμασιν )

Διωγμός persecutiononly here in Pastorals. Occasionally in Paul. Πάθημα , only here in Pastorals. Often in Paul, usually in the sense of sufferings, but twice of sinful passions, Romans 7:5; Galatians 5:24.

Antioch, Iconium, Lystra

See Acts 13:50; Acts 14:2ff.; Acts 14:19. These cities may have been selected as illustrations because Timothy was at home in that region. See Acts 16:1, Acts 16:2. Antioch is mentioned by Paul, Galatians 2:11. Iconium and Lystra nowhere in his letters.

Delivered ( ἐρύσατο )

Often in Paul. Originally, to draw to one's self; to draw out from peril. Paul, in Romans 11:26, applies the prophecy of Isaiah 59:20to Christ, who is called a ὁ ῥυόμενος thedeliverer, lxx.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

И от всех. Утешение, коим апостол смягчает горечь своих скорбей, состоящее в том, что они всегда имеют благополучный исход3. Если же кто возразит, что тот исход, которым хвалится апостол, заметен не всегда, соглашусь, что в плотском смысле это действительно так. Ибо в последний раз Павел не получил избавления для себя лично. Но, если Бог порою нас избавляет, Он свидетельствует этим о Своем присутствии и о том, что будет с Нами всегда. И всякий раз, ощущая от Него помощь, упование наше должно обращаться к будущему. Поэтому фраза апостола означает то же, как если бы он сказал: на собственном опыте я узнал, что Бог всегда будет со мною. Поэтому у тебя нет причин колебаться в том, чтобы последовать за Ним по моему примеру.

 

 

 

John Trapp Complete Commentary

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. οιους, 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.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

2 Timothy 3:11. ἐν ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν ἰκονίῳ, ἐν λύστροις, at Antioch, Iconium, Lystra) Acts 13:14; Acts 13:51; Acts 14:6.— οἷα) οἷς shows the weightiness of the matter in hand: 1 Maccabees 5:56, “he heard the valiant and warlike deeds, οἷα ἐποίησαν, how great were the acts which they did.”— οἶους διωγμοὺς, how great persecutions) The noun repeated after the interposition of another adds perspicuity and weight to what is said. διωγμὸς and πάθημα 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.— ὑπήνεγκα, I endured) The mark of an apostle.— ἐῤῥύσατο, delivered) Another mark, to be miraculously preserved; Psalms 34 (33):17, ἐκ πασῶν τῶν θλίψεων αὐτῶν ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτούς, He delivered them out of all their afflictions.— ὁ κύριος, the Lord) Christ.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

What persecutions for the preaching of the gospel I was under; what

afflictions I met with at Antioch in Pisidia, Acts 13:14,45,50; at Iconium, whither he went from Pisidia; of the afflictions he met with there also, read Acts 14:1-28.

At Lystra; what persecutions I endured: the apostle went from Iconium to Lystra, Acts 14:6, there also he was persecuted, Acts 14:19. Now it seemeth that in all these motions Timothy was in Paul’s company and a follower of him, so as he was a witness to all; which assureth us that though we first read of Timothy. Acts 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.

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture

гонениях Переведено как производное от греческого глагола, буквально означающего «обращать в бегство». Павел был вынужден бежать из Дамаска (Деян. 9:23-25), Антиохии Писидийской (Деян. 13:50), Иконии (Деян. 14:6), Фессалоники (Деян. 17:10) и Верии (Деян. 17:14).

Антиохии, Иконии, Листрах Уроженец Листры (Деян. 16:1), Тимофей живо воскресит в памяти гонения, с которыми встретился Павел в этих трех городах.

избавил меня Господь Ср. 4:17,18; Пс. 33:5, 7, 20; 36:40; 90:2-6, 14; Ис. 41:10; 43:2; Дан. 3:17; Деян. 26:16, 17; 2Кор. 1:10. Господь неоднократно освобождал Павла, и это должно было ободрить Тимофея перед лицом гонений в Ефесе со стороны противников благовестия.

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Antioch-Iconium-Lystra; Acts 13:14; Acts 13:45; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:2; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘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 - Acts 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 Acts 13:13 to Acts 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 (Acts 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?

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

2 Timothy 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.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

afflictions. Greek. pathema. Generally transl suffering. See Romans 7:5.

at. App-104.

Antioch, &c. See Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5, Acts 14:19.

endured. See 1 Corinthians 10:13.

out of. App-104.

Lord. App-98.:2, A.

delivered, Compare 2 Corinthians 1:10.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

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.

Afflictions-`sufferings' which, [ hoia (Greek #3634)] - 'such as.'

At Antioch - of Pisidia (Acts 13:14; Acts 13:50-51).

Iconium (Acts 14:1-5).

Lystra (Acts 14:6; Acts 14:19).

What - how grievous. They 'supposed Paul was dead.'

But out of them all the Lord delivered me (2 Timothy 4:17; Psalms 34:17; Psalms 34:19; 2 Corinthians 1:10) - an encouragement to But out of them all the Lord delivered me (2 Timothy 4:17; Psalms 34:17; Psalms 34:19; 2 Corinthians 1:10) - an encouragement to Timothy not to fear persecutions.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Persecutions, afflictions.—St. Paul adds to “persecutions” “afflictions”—for 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 him—stoning, scourging, long and weary periods of imprisonment, were among the repeated sufferings he endured for his Master’s sake. The question has been asked why, out of the pages of the closely written diary of his life’s 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 work—others had taken place just before St. Paul took him as his friend and associate, and, no doubt, had been often discussed in Timothy’s 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 Timothy’s 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 life’s 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.”

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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

Acts 9:16; 20:19,23,24; Romans 8:35-37; 1 Corinthians 4:9-11; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:8-11; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 10:33-34

at Antioch

Acts 13:45,50,51; 14:2,5,6,19-21

but

4:7,17,18; Genesis 48:16; 2 Samuel 22:1,49; Job 5:19,20; Psalms 34:19; 37:40; Psalms 91:2-6,14; Isaiah 41:10,14; 43:2; Jeremiah 1:19; Daniel 6:27; Acts 9:23-25; Acts 21:32,33; 23:10,12-24; 25:3,4; 26:17,22; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Peter 2:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:14 - but God;  Psalm 107:6 - he delivered;  Isaiah 33:18 - heart;  Jeremiah 38:28 - General;  Matthew 5:10 - are;  Luke 6:22 - when men;  Acts 14:21 - Lystra;  Acts 16:1 - to Derbe;  Acts 16:2 - Iconium;  1 Corinthians 4:11 - and are buffeted;  1 Corinthians 13:7 - endureth;  2 Corinthians 6:4 - afflictions;  1 Thessalonians 3:3 - we are;  2 Timothy 2:3 - endure;  Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing

The Expositor's Greek Testament

2 Timothy 3:11_{. :} Acts 13:14_; Acts 13:45_; Acts 13:50_{; :} Acts 14:1-2_; Acts 14:5_{; :} Acts 14:6_; Acts 14:19_.

_{: There is no necessity to supply, with Alf., “Thou sawest”.}

_{: and yet. The verse is an echo of Psalms 33 (34):18, ’ . See also reff.}

 

 

The Bible Study New Testament

11. Persecutions. See 2 Timothy 3:12. Sufferings. “The misfortunes that have come my way.” Compare Romans 8:18and note. You know. Timothy was a native of Lystra and knew these things well. See the list in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. But the Lord. He has not deserted His people!!! [We can paraphrase these verses: “I am not really uneasy about your strength. You joined me in Christ out of spiritual and moral motives. The persecutions and sufferings you saw me endure, you knew were part of a life that pleases God. Stand firm in the truth and in love! Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, on which your growing mind was fed, is never out of date or obsolete for equipping the servant of God!!!”]

 

 

 

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

11But 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.”