Andrew Miller · 13 of 28

Chapter 6 · Part 4

2) From Paul’s more recent letters, he seems to have altered his plans, and to have given up the idea of going to Spain, at least for a time. This we gather chiefly from the Epistles to Philemon and to the Philippians. To the former he writes, “But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.” (Verse. 22) He here gives Philemon to expect that he may soon be with him in person. To the Philippians he writes, and speaking of Timothy he adds, “Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.” Again, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state.” (Chap. 2:19, 23, 24) The intended movements of the apostle and his beloved Timothy seem quite clear from these passages. It was evidently the purpose of the apostle to dispatch Timothy to Philippi as soon as the trial was over, and to remain in Italy himself until Timothy returned with the report of their state.

3) It may reasonably be expected that Paul fulfilled the intention, which he so lately expressed; and that he visited the churches in Asia Minor, some of which as yet had not seen his face in the flesh. Having accomplished the objects of his mission to Asia Minor, some have thought that then he may have undertaken his long meditated journey into Spain; but of this we have no reliable information, and mere conjecture is of no value.

4) Another theory is, that he went straight from Italy to Judea, and thence to Antioch, Asia Minor, and Greece. This scheme is founded chiefly on Hebrews 13:23, 24. “Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you . . . They of Italy salute you.” It is also supposed that, while he was waiting at Puteoli for embarkation, immediately on the return of Timothy, tidings reached the apostle that a great persecution had broken out against the Christians in Jerusalem. This sad intelligence so filled the heart of Paul with such sorrow, that he wrote at once his famous letter to them —THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. Shortly after this Timothy arrived, and Paul and his companions sailed from Judea.

PLACES VISITED BY PAUL

DURING HIS LIBERTY

Having stated these different theories for the reader’s examination, we will now notice the places mentioned in the Epistles as visited by Paul.

1) At some time after leaving Rome, Paul and his companions must have visited Asia Minor and Greece. “As I besought thee still to abide at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” (1 Tim. 1:3) Feeling, it may be, somewhat anxious about his son Timothy, and the weight of the responsibilities of his position at Ephesus, he sends him a letter of encouragement, comfort, and authority from Macedonia —THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.

2) Some time after this, Paul visited the island of Crete in company with Titus, and left him there. He also very soon after sent him a letter of instruction and authority, THE EPISTLE TO TITUS. Timothy and Titus may be considered as delegates or representatives of the apostle. “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” (Titus 1:5)

3) Paul was intending to spend the winter at a place called Nicopolis. “When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter.” (Titus 3: 12)

4) He visited Troas, Corinth, and Miletum. “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments… Erastus abode at Corinth; but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” (2 Tim. 4:13, 20)

PAUL’S SECOND IMPRISONMENT

AT ROME

It is supposed by some that the apostle was arrested at Nicopolis (where he intended to spend the winter) and thence carried a prisoner to Rome. Others suppose that, after wintering at Nicopolis, and visiting the places above mentioned, he returned to Rome in a state of personal liberty, but was arrested during the Neronian persecution and thrown into prison.

The precise charge now made against the apostle, and for which he was arrested, we have no means of ascertaining. It may have been simply on the charge of being a Christian. The general persecution against the Christians was now raging with the utmost severity. It was no longer about certain questions of the law, and under the mild and humane prefect Burrhus; but he was now treated as an evil-doer —as a common criminal: “wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer even unto bonds” —and very different from the bonds of his first imprisonment, when he dwelt in his own hired house.

Alexander —of Ephesus, we believe —evidently had something to do with his arrest. He was either one of his accusers, or, at least, a witness against him. “Alexander the coppersmith,” he writes to Timothy, “did me much evil” —“exhibited much evil-mindedness towards me.” Ten years before this, he had stood forward as the open antagonist of the apostle in Ephesus. (Acts 19) He may now have sought his revenge by laying information against the apostle before the prefect. That it was the same Alexander of Ephesus seems clear from the charge to Timothy; “of whom be thou ware also.” (2 Timothy 4:14, 15)

During the apostle’s first and lengthened imprisonment, he was surrounded by many of his oldest and most valued companions, whom he styles “fellow-laborers and fellow-prisoners.” By means of these, his messengers, though chained to a single spot himself, he kept up a constant communication with his friends throughout the empire, and with Gentile churches which had not seen his face in the flesh. But his second imprisonment was a perfect contrast to all this. He had parted from all his ordinary companions. Erastus abode at Corinth; Trophimus had been left sick at Miletum; Titus had gone to Dalmatia; Crescens to Galatia; Tychicus had been dispatched to Ephesus; and the lukewarm Demas had forsaken him, “having loved this present world.”

The apostle was now almost entirely alone. “Only Luke is with me,” he says. But the Lord thought of His deserted and solitary servant. A bright beam, as from the fountain of love, shines amidst the darkness and dreariness of his prison. There was one faithful amidst the general defection, and one who was not ashamed of the apostle’s chain. How peculiarly sweet and refreshing to the heart of the apostle must the ministry of Onesimus have been at this time! It can never be forgotten. Onesimus and his house —which Paul links with himself —shall be held in everlasting remembrance; and shall reap the fruit of his courage and devotedness to the apostle for ever and ever. “I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matthew 25:31- 46)

Concerning the circumstances of Paul’s trial we have no certain information. Most probably in the spring of A.D. 66 or 67, Nero took his seat on the tribunal, surrounded by his jurors, and the imperial guard; and Paul was brought into the court. We have reason to believe that the large space was filled with a promiscuous multitude of Jews and Gentiles. The apostle stood once more before the world. He had again the opportunity of proclaiming to all nations that for which he had been made a prisoner —“That all the Gentiles might hear.” Emperors and senators, princes and nobles, and all the great ones of the earth, must hear the glorious gospel of the grace of God. All that the enemy had done becomes a testimony to the name of Jesus. Those who were otherwise inaccessible hear the gospel preached with power from on high.

Fain would we dwell on this wonderful scene for a few moments. Never before had there been such a witness, and such a testimony, in Nero’s judgment hall. The wisdom of God in turning all the efforts of the enemy into such a testimony is most profound; while His love and grace in the gospel shine ineffable and alike to all classes. The apostle himself commands our devout admiration. Though at this moment his heart was broken by the unfaithfulness of the church, he stood forth strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Though men had forsaken him, the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. He boldly confronted his enemies, pleading in his own cause and the cause of the gospel. He had an opportunity to speak of Jesus, of His death and resurrection, so that the heathen multitude might hear the gospel. His age, his infirmities, his venerable form, his fettered arm, would all tend to deepen the impression of his manly and straightforward eloquence. But, happily, we have an account from his own pen of the first hearing of his defence. He writes thus to Timotheus immediately after: “At my first answer [when I was heard in my defence] no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Timothy 4:16, 17)

“Look, now, and see Christ’s chosen saint

In triumph wear his Christ-like chain;

No fear lest he should swerve or faint:

His life is Christ, his death is gain.”

THE MARTYRDOM OF PAUL

Although we have no record of the second stage of his trial, we have reason to believe that it soon followed the first, and that it ended in his condemnation and death. But THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY is the divine record of what was passing in his deeply exercised mind at this solemn moment. His deep concern for the truth and church of God; his pathetic tenderness for the saints, and especially for his beloved son Timothy; his triumphant hope in the immediate prospect of martyrdom, can only be told in his own words. “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (Chapter 4:6 – 8)

The tribunal of Nero here fades from his sight. Death in its most violent form has no terror for him. Christ in glory is the object of his eye and of his heart —the source of his joy and of his strength. His work was finished; and the toils of his love were ended. Though a prisoner and poor —though aged and rejected —he was rich in God; he possessed Christ, and in Him all things. The Jesus whom he had seen in glory at the commencement of his course, and who had brought him into all the trials and labours of the gospel, was now his possession and his crown. The unrighteous tribunal of Nero, and the bloodstained sword of the executioner, was to Paul but as the messengers of peace, who had come to close his long and weary path, and to introduce him into the presence of Jesus in glory. The time was now come for the Jesus that loved him to take him to Himself. He had fought the good fight of the gospel to the end; he had finished his course; it only remained for him to be crowned, when the Lord, the righteous Judge, appears in glory.

“In all things more than conquerors

Through Him that loved us—

We know that neither death nor life,

Nor angels, rulers, powers,

Nor present things, nor things to come,

Nor even height, nor depth,

Nor any other creature thing

Above, below, around,

Can part us from the love of God,

In Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We have the concurrent testimony of antiquity that Paul suffered martyrdom during the Neronian persecution, and most probably in A.D. 67. As a Roman citizen, he was beheaded in place of being scourged and crucified or exposed to the frightful tortures then invented for the Christians. Like his Master he suffered “without the gate.” There is a spot on the Ostian Road; about two miles beyond the city walls, where it is supposed his martyrdom took place. There the last act of human cruelty was executed, and the great apostle was “absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” His fervent and happy spirit was released from his feeble and suffering body; and the long cherished desire of his heart was fulfilled —“to depart and to be WITH CHRIST; which is FAR BETTER.”

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF

PAUL’S LIFE

(Years are approximate estimates)

A.D. 36

Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9)

A.D. 36 – 39

At Damascus—preaches in the synagogue—goes into Arabia—returns to Damascus—flight from Damascus. His FIRST visit to Jerusalem; three years after his conversion. Thence to Tarsus (Acts 9:23 – 26; Galatians 1:18)

A.D. 39 – 40

Rest of the Jewish churches (Acts 9: 31)

A.D. 40 – 43

Paul preaches the gospel in Syria and Cilicia. (Galatians. 1:21) A period of uncertain length During this time he probably undergoes the chief part of the perils and sufferings, which he recounts to the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 11)

He is brought from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas; and stays there a year before the famine. (Acts 11)

A.D. 44

Paul’s SECOND visit to Jerusalem with the collection (Acts 11:30)

A.D. 45

Paul returns to Antioch in Syria (Acts 12:2 – 5)

A.D. 46 – 49

Paul’s FIRST missionary journey with Barnabas —goes to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and back through the same places to Antioch. They remain a long time in Antioch. Dissension and disputation about circumcision (Acts 13, 14, 15:1, 2)

A.D. 50

Paul’s THIRD visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, fourteen years after his conversion (Gal. 2:1)

They attend the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15) Return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, with Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32 – 35)

A.D. 51

Paul’s SECOND missionary journey with Silas and Timothy He goes from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Phrygia, Galatia & Troas Luke joins the apostolic band (Acts 16:10)

A.D. 52

Enter the gospel into Europe: Acts 16:11 - 13

Paul visits Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athena Corinth. Spends a year and six months at Corinth (Acts 18:11) First Epistle to the Thessalonians written.

A.D. 53

Second Epistle to the Thessalonians written

Paul leaves Corinth and sails to Ephesus.

(Acts 18:18, 19)

A.D. 54

Paul’s FOURTH visit to Jerusalem at the feast Returns to Antioch

A.D. 54 – 56

Paul’s THIRD missionary journey—He departs from Antioch—visits Galatia, Phrygia, and reaches Ephesus, where he stays two years and three months. Here Paul separates the disciples from the Jewish synagogue. (Acts 19:8, 10)

Epistle to the Galatians written

A.D. 57

(Spring) First Epistle to the Corinthians written

The tumult at Ephesus—Paul leaves for Macedonia (Acts 19:23 – 20: 1)

(Autumn) Second Epistle to the Corinth written

(2 Corinthians 1:8; 2: 13,14; 7:5; 8: l; 9:1) Paul visits Illyricum—goes to Corinth—winters there (Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 16: 6)

A.D. 58

(Spring) The Epistle to the Romans written (Romans 15:25 – 28; 16:21 – 23; Acts 20:4) Paul leaves Corinth, passes through Macedonia, sails from Philippi, preaches at Troas, addresses the elders at Miletus, visits Tyre and Cæsarea. (Acts 20, 21:1 – 14)

A.D. 58 - 60

Paul’s fifth visit to Jerusalem before Pentecost

He is arrested in the temple, brought before Ananias and the Sanhedrim, sent by Lysias to Cæsarea, where he is kept in bonds two years.

A.D. 60

Paul heard by Felix and Festus. He appeals unto Cæsar, preaches before Agrippa, Bernice and the men of Cæsarea.

(Autumn.) Paul sails for Italy.

(Winter.) Shipwrecked at Malta. (Acts 27)

A.D. 61

(Spring) Arrives at Rome, dwells two years in his own hired house.

A.D. 62

(Spring) Epistles to Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians written

(Autumn) Epistle to the Philippians written

A.D. 63

(Spring) Paul acquitted and released. Epistle to the Hebrews written — Paul takes another journey, intending to visit Asia Minor and Greece (Philemon 22; Phil 2:24)

A.D. 64

Visits Crete and leaves Titus there—exhorts Timothy to abide at Ephesus, First Epistle to Timothy written, Epistle to Titus written

A.D. 64 – 67

Intends to winter at Nicopolis. (Titus 3:12) Visits Troas, Corinth, Miletum (2 Tim. 4: 13-20)

Paul arrested and sent to Rome, Deserted and solitary, having only Luke, of his old associates, with him. Second Epistle to Timothy written, probably not long before his death. These journeys and events are generally supposed to cover a period of about three years.

A.D. 67

Paul’s Martyrdom