Afflictions Made Beneficial in Furthering the Gospel

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. …

Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.

…for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.