I ENDURED. 2nd Timothy 3:11 The apostle Paul endured persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel through years of faithful service to the Lord, reaching out to both Jews and Gentiles with the message and ministering to God's people. In 2nd Corinthians 11, he lists some of what he had gone through as he followed God's guidance in reaching lost souls. In this scripture passage, he compares his life with those false teachers who loved pleasure more than they loved God.
Three cities are mentioned by name that Timothy knew well. Lystra was his hometown, and he remembered the cripple who was healed and how the people rejoiced until some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They convinced the people in Lystra to stone Paul. He would have personally seen that God’s grace was enough in times of great need. Paul was strengthened by God's power and kept working for the Lord. Timothy probably remembered that Paul was left for dead at Lystra.
Despite his suffering, he was ready to serve [Rom.1:15], willing to suffer [Acts 21:13], and prepared to sacrifice [2Tim.4:5]. Courage in the lives of those who live for God challenges us to serve the Lord in our lives, not to avoid the suffering that comes to us, which we have seen in others. Timothy may have seen some of what Paul endured even before he was saved, and now it was Timothy's turn to carry the burden of "sound doctrine" and a godly "manner of life."
Paul's purpose was contrasted with those who were "incontinent"—out of control. His faith was contrasted with their "boasting." His longsuffering was contrasted with their "headiness." Longsuffering and charity go hand in hand. When we are provoked, our natural instinct is to react in kind, but a person with a long temper can respond with love through words and acts of grace. The Spirit of God provides understanding of what is appropriate at the right time. Paul's love is contrasted with their self-love, love of money, and pleasure.