2 Timothy 3:10-13: Persecution
2 Timothy 3:10
Previously, we considered evil men that were of the likes of Jannes and Jambres. In verse 10, we see a “but” which contrasts the preceding passage with the current passage.
Paul’s life, oriented around Christ, is different from the false prophet in several ways enumerated here.
His doctrine does not match the godlessness or the superficial godliness demonstrated by others. His teaching on grace and corresponding holy life are unmistakable. His “manner of life” and “purpose” were centered around Christ alone without selfish motivation (“charity”). His “longsuffering” and “patience” suggest he persevered through hardships because he had an eternal mindset. He was pressing on toward a heavenly prize and did not focus on earthly prizes of fame and fortune.
When you look at what characterized Paul’s life, including all his hardships mentioned in Philippians 3 and 2 Corinthians 11, this very much validates his apostleship and message. He could have had life held in high esteem, like Jannes and Jambres. They had the privileges of being Pharaoh’s high officials. Paul was the up-and-coming star of the Pharisees before he was saved. He could have had all the accolades of the world. But he chose not to have those things. He was beaten and went without the luxuries of life because of the cause of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:11
He was persecuted and afflicted throughout the world because of the cause of Christ. He gives three examples of where this happened, and we know from the book of Acts that it is not an exhaustive list. He mentions three places where he was persecuted: Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-52), Iconium (Acts 14:1-6), and Lystra (Acts 14:6-28).
These three places were among the first places he ministered to after being sent out from Antioch in Syria (Acts 14:1-3). The church in Syrian Antioch was the “sending church” of Paul and Barnabas.
Pisidian Antioch. The first major stop was at Pisidian Antioch (SW Turkey/Asia Minor), which is a different town from Syrian Antioch. Paul preached a sermon in the synagogue there (Acts 13:14-41). We will focus on the sermon’s results (Acts 13:42). After the sermon, the Gentiles were enthusiastic about the message, and wanted to hear more (Acts 13:42-52).
Many Jews and proselytes also followed Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:43). The next week, some of the Jews were jealous of the crowds that came to hear Paul and Barnabas, and they turned against their message (Acts 13:44-45). Because of this, they spent most of their time focusing on ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48). The result was that many were saved (Acts 13:49). The moral of the story here is to not waste time trying to convert those who clearly are not interested in the Gospel. Move on to the people that will listen.
Then persecution came. The persecutors were these: “the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city” (Acts 13:50). They were thrown out of the city by these. Despite the persecution, we read, “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:52).
We do not see physical violence here as much as they were expelled from the city. Powerful people rejected the Gospel, and because of their power, they were able to throw them out. They were partly manipulated by the Jews who had rejected the Gospel. Regardless, the missionary pair kept going. They preached the Gospel in the next city.
Iconium. In Acts 14:1-6, they come to Iconium. People got saved there, but the Jews stirred up Gentiles against the Christians there. Paul and Barnabas continued to preach boldly there with miracles. The city was divided, with some of them accepting the Gospel. The result was angry people who attempted to exercise violence against Christians.
Paul and Barnabas fled. They had done their job. Many were saved and were established in the faith. There is a time to flee. Those who rejected the Gospel won’t receive it; do not look for trouble on purpose. There are always other places to preach the Gospel. Despite the threats on their lives, they continued preaching the Gospel.
Lystra. Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra, where they also preached and healed a crippled man. Because these people were not as fluent in the Greek language, they misunderstood what was happening, and thought they were gods, and it took the missionary pair awhile to convince them otherwise.
We pick up the story in Acts 14:19-20. The Jews that persuaded others to persecute Paul and Barnabas in the previous two cities came to Lystra. They convinced the men of Lystra to stone Paul. (This is rather odd that they went from worshipping to stoning rather quickly!) This time, they thought Paul was dead. This was a severe stoning. Most people did not survive stonings. Stephen didn’t. What was Paul’s response?
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14:20-21)
He kept going. Even after extreme trauma, he kept going. This is faith. The human will cannot keep going in that environment. This is as much a miracle as walking on water. His physical condition must have been quite the testimony to both the world and the church.
Returning to 2 Timothy 3:11, Paul was delivered out of all those things by the Lord. This proves his validity as an apostle and the validity of his message. It also shows that God had more work for Paul to do in the future.
2 Timothy 3:12
This persecution was not unique to Paul. All who live godly in Christ will be persecuted. The key is “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus.” If you neither mention anything about Christ nor live like a Christian, maybe you will not be. But if you follow Christ like Paul did in the previous discussion, you will be thrown out of town or physically assaulted. They will say terrible things to you.
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20). They killed Jesus. Why would we expect special treatment?
“And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). The fledgling church in Jerusalem was persecuted, and they were driven away from the city. But “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Persecution brings about more fruit.
“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). We are appointed to persecution, just like we were appointed to good works in Ephesians 2:10.
We need to be careful how we hear this. Consider Matthew 13:20-21. If you are not prepared for tribulation when it comes, you will be “offended.” Elsewhere, this is translated as “stumblingblock.” You will be confused and even angry, wondering why it is happening. But it is normal. Expect it. Perhaps even embrace it. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12). The apostles had this attitude: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).
We will get to the place where the line will be drawn in the sand in this country. Be ready for anything. Many believe in the pretribulational rapture. I am rare in that I do not believe that. I believe the doctrine is setting up many to be “offended.” In case you are wrong, always be ready for tribulation, because we are appointed to it.
Why do people persecute Christians? The Gospel sounds like a good deal, right? Eternal life, not of merit or good works. Free gift. If it’s free it’s for me, right? Why fight against the Gospel?
People hate God. Consider Psalm 2:1-3. They do not want to submit to God or His Christ. They want to be lord over their own lives. They do not want to submit. Demonic powers may also be behind these people.
People want their sin. John 3:19-20 says that people love their sin. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Jesus came to destroy sin. People want their sin, and they will fight for it. “Don’t tell me what to do!” “Don’t judge me!”
Families would be broken apart. In Matthew 10:34-37 states that families would be divided, and that some would not become Christians because the family bond is strong. People would defend their family bond, and fight against things that threaten it.
People are entwined in their culture and religion. “And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs” (Acts 21:21). Circumcision is not necessary in Christianity. There may be other cultural issues that would have to be dealt with that is a barrier to faith in one’s life. People will fight for their way of life and their religion.
People’s livelihood is at stake. In Acts 19:24-27, a whole industry would be wiped out if too many people turned to the faith. People get angry when their livelihoods are at stake!
2 Timothy 2:13
Second Timothy 2:13 sums up the chapter so far. Wickedness will abound as time goes on. There are men who are just evil, and there are men who intentionally try to deceive others. There are others who perhaps do not intentionally deceive others, but they deceive because they were deceived. Consider when the Antichrist comes to power in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. The whole world is deceived by fake miracles. God gives the world over to their desire for a fake Christ. Deception is a key ingredient of the end times.