In 2nd Corinthians 11:25 Paul wrote, “Once I was stoned.” He could have as well written: “Once I have been stoned … so far.” Because his ministry was only 1/2 to 2/3 over as he wrote those words.
The verb “was stoned” is “lithazo,” meaning “pelted with rocks.” Yes, “lithos” is the Greek noun for “stone.” As in the English word “monolith.” And what is a monolith? “A large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument.” The prefix “mono” means “one.”
Almost always “stoning” someone, even until he or she was dead, was a punishment inflicted by the Jews. And even that punishment is advocated by Moses, in the Old Testament.
Here’s an example. “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city SHALL STONE HIM WITH STONES, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.” Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Severe indeed!
But not many rebellious sons either!
Meanwhile, back to Paul.
When was he stoned?
At a city called Lystra.
Here is Luke’s account of the event. “And there came thither certain (Gospel-hating) Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded (agitated) the people, and, HAVING STONED PAUL, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 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.” Acts 14:19-20
I personally believe Paul indeed died!
That certainly was the intent of the mob that day!
Suffering for Jesus’ Sake, for the cause of the gospel of the grace of God!
Yet, Paul remained faithful.
On toward other cities … to preach the Word!
I wonder that day if Paul thought about the stoning of Stephen? A death in which the future Apostle was complicit. “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And THEY STONED STEPHEN, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he FELL ASLEEP (DIED). And SAUL WAS CONSENTING unto his death.” Acts 7:57 through Acts 8:1
Then I wonder too if Paul remembered the first words he ever heard from a fellow believer after his salvation experience? God commissioned a man named Ananias to got o Paul and said … “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I WILL SHOW HIM HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.” Acts 9:15-16 … was Paul “reaping” what he had “sown,” persecuting the Church so many years?
And I think that perhaps God turned a “tragic situation” (Paul being stoned) into a spiritual victory (maybe a trip to Heaven, to Glory)! As is described in 2nd Corinthians 12:1-5. “It is not expedient for me (Paul) doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and REVELATIONS of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one (Paul, many believe) caught up to THE THRID HEAVEN. And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; how that he was caught up into PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory.” Sounds just like the Lord, doesn’t it? (They meant it for evil, God meant it for good!)
And look at Paul’s bravery … in the face of such persecution. After preaching elsewhere (after the stoning) Paul and his company … “taught many, they RETURNED AGAIN to LYSTRA, and to Iconium, and Antioch.” Back again!
Paul apparently felt that areas of great “opportunity” would also be areas of great “opposition!” As in 1st Corinthians 16:9 … “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell