📖 Biblical Definition
Iconium was a major city of Asia Minor — modern Konya, Turkey — visited by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:51-14:6) and revisited on the second (Acts 16:1-2) and likely the third. The pattern there became the pattern of Paul’s mission everywhere: "And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren" (14:1-2). When a plot to stone them was uncovered, they fled to Lystra and Derbe. Iconium was also Timothy’s home region. The gospel takes root in resistance.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ICONIUM — a Phrygian-Lycaonian city preserved as the place of bold preaching and divided crowds in Paul's first journey.
expand to see more
Webster 1828 omits the proper noun. Acts records that the apostles stayed a long time at Iconium, speaking boldly in the Lord, and the Lord bore witness to the word of His grace by signs and wonders. The city divided in two — some with the Jews, some with the apostles — until the violent assault drove them out. The disciples remained.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 14:1 — "Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed."
Acts 14:3 — "Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands."
Acts 14:5 — "And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them."
2 Timothy 3:11 — "Persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Bold preaching always divides the city; the modern preference for unanimity is unbiblical.
expand to see more
Iconium did not produce a unified response to the gospel. The city divided: half with the Jews, half with the apostles. Bold preaching never produces unanimity in a fallen city; it produces a clarifying split. The modern church often measures success by approval ratings; Acts measures it by faithfulness under division.
The corruption is the demand for a gospel that everyone applauds. Iconium teaches that the Lord bears witness to His word with signs and wonders even as the city splits over it. The disciples remain after the apostles flee; the work continues even when the workmen must run.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Ikonion (G2430); paired with parrēsia (boldness) and sēmeion (sign).
expand to see more
G2430 — Ikonion — Iconium; modern Konya in Turkey
G3955 — parrēsiazomai — to speak boldly, with frankness
G4592 — sēmeion — sign; granted by the Lord at Iconium
Usage
"A great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed (Acts 14:1)."
"They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord (Acts 14:3)."
"Persecutions which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra (2 Timothy 3:11)."