Iconium

Iconium was the capital of the ancient region of Lycaonia in south-central Asia Minor (modern Konya in Turkey), situated on a fertile plain at the edge of the Anatolian plateau. By the New Testament period it was part of the Roman province of Galatia. Paul and Barnabas visited Iconium on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:51–14:5), preaching in the synagogue and winning a large number of both Jews and Gentiles, but eventually fleeing when a plot was laid against them to stone them — a division in the city between those who sided with the apostles and those with the Jewish opponents.

Paul returned to Iconium on the second missionary journey to strengthen the churches (Acts 16:2), and the city's congregation was clearly established. In 2 Timothy 3:11 Paul refers to his persecutions at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra as examples of suffering he endured but from which the Lord delivered him. Iconium remained a significant city in the early church's eastern mission and is listed among Paul's key sites of ministry in Asia Minor. The Hitchcock meaning of coming reflects the Greek form of the name.