King James Version

What Does 2 Timothy 3:11 Mean?

2 Timothy 3:11 in the King James Version says “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of... — study this verse from 2 Timothy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

2 Timothy 3:11 · KJV


Context

9

But they shall proceed no further : for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, fully: or, been a diligent follower of

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.

12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse , deceiving, and being deceived.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul continues listing what Timothy observed, focusing on suffering. "Persecutions, afflictions" (tois diōgmois, tois pathēmasin, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν). Diōgmos (διωγμός) means persecution—organized opposition and hostility. Pathēma (πάθημα) means suffering, affliction—physical and emotional pain endured.

Paul specifies three cities: "Antioch, Iconium, Lystra"—all in southern Galatia, visited during Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). At Pisidian Antioch, Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:50). At Iconium, opponents attempted stoning (Acts 14:5). At Lystra, they succeeded—Paul was stoned, dragged outside the city, and left for dead (Acts 14:19). Timothy, from Lystra, likely witnessed this (Acts 16:1-2). Seeing Paul's near-martyrdom and subsequent return to ministry made profound impression on young Timothy.

Despite horrific persecution, Paul testifies: "but out of them all the Lord delivered me" (kai ek pantōn me erysato ho kyrios, καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρύσατο ὁ κύριος). The verb ryomai (ῥύομαι) means rescue, deliver, save from danger. God's faithfulness sustained Paul through every trial. This wasn't prosperity gospel—Paul suffered terribly—but preservation gospel: God enabled endurance and ultimate deliverance, whether through survival or death (Philippians 1:20-21). This encouraged Timothy facing similar trials: God will sustain him too.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's first missionary journey (AD 46-48) introduced Timothy to Christianity's cost. Seeing Paul stoned and left for dead, then return preaching the next day, demonstrated resurrection power and apostolic courage. Timothy converted during this time, observing both persecution's reality and God's faithfulness. Paul's appeal to these specific incidents reminds Timothy of formative experiences shaping his faith. The persecutions weren't accidents but normative Christian experience (v. 12). Yet God's deliverance was equally certain—not always preventing suffering but sustaining through it.

Reflection Questions

  1. What persecutions and afflictions have you endured for Christ, and how has God's faithfulness sustained you through them?
  2. Do you view suffering for righteousness as abnormal problem needing explanation or normal Christian experience requiring perseverance?
  3. How can testimonies of God's deliverance from past trials encourage present faithfulness when facing new opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
τοῖς1 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διωγμοὺς2 of 23

Persecutions

G1375

persecution

τοῖς3 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παθήμασιν4 of 23

afflictions

G3804

something undergone, i.e., hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence

οἵους5 of 23

what

G3634

such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so

μοι6 of 23

unto me

G3427

to me

ἐγένετο7 of 23

came

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν8 of 23

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἀντιοχείᾳ9 of 23

Antioch

G490

antioch (antiochia), a place in syria

ἐν10 of 23

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἰκονίῳ11 of 23

Iconium

G2430

image-like; iconium, a place in asia minor

ἐν12 of 23

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Λύστροις13 of 23

Lystra

G3082

lystra, a place in asia minor

οἵους14 of 23

what

G3634

such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so

διωγμοὺς15 of 23

Persecutions

G1375

persecution

ὑπήνεγκα16 of 23

I endured

G5297

to bear from underneath, i.e., (figuratively) to undergo hardship

καὶ17 of 23

but

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκ18 of 23

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πάντων19 of 23

them all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

με20 of 23

me

G3165

me

ἐῤῥύσατο21 of 23

delivered

G4506

compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue

22 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος23 of 23

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Timothy 3:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Timothy 3:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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