Chapter XIV: Part THREE

IV. =Paul's Fourth Journey= (Acts 27 and 28). Although made by a prisoner, some of the time wearing a chain (Acts 26. 29; 28. 20), the journey to Rome was a missionary journey, in many respects like Paul's other journeys. To visit Rome had long been his desire and expectation (Acts 19. 21. Rom. 1. 15. Rom. 15. 23, 24). His companions on the journey, Luke, Aristarchus (Acts 27. 1, 2), and probably Timothy.

1. On the voyage he was able to bring the _gospel to the island of Malta_ (Acts 28. 7-10).

2. Arriving at _Rome_ (Acts 28. 16) he took up his work as nearly as possible according to his _regular method_. 1.) He found a _home_ and _employment_ (Acts 28. 16). 2.) As he could not go to the synagogue he _sent for the chief Jews_ and preached the gospel to them (Acts 28. 17-24). 3.) He then turned to the Gentiles (Acts 28. 28-31). 4.) Some _results_ of his ministry in Rome (Phil 1. 12-18).

3. _The Epistles of Paul's Imprisonment at Rome._ The order of these is uncertain, but they belong rather to the close of the period than to its opening.

1.) _Ephesians_; called by S. T. Coleridge "the
divinest composition of man;" written A. D. 62; its
subject, "The mystical union of Christ and his
church."

2.) _Philippians_; the most affectionate of all Paul's
letters; written A. D. 62; its subject "The character
of Christ's followers."

3.) _Colossians_; written to a church that Paul had
never seen; about A. D. 62; subject, "Christ the Head
of the Church."

4.) _Philemon_: a personal letter to a friend at
Colossæ concerning a _runaway slave_ Onesimus, whom
Paul sent back, "no longer a slave, but a brother
beloved."

V. =Paul's Later Years.= The record is uncertain, and almost unknown. It is probable, though not certain, that Paul was set free about 63 A. D.

1. _His years of liberty._ 63 to 67 A. D. Shall we speak of a _fifth journey_? We find hints or expectations of his being at Colossæ (Philem. 22); Miletus (2 Tim. 4. 13); Nicopolis, north of Greece, on the Adriatic Sea (Titus 3. 12). Tradition states that at this place he was arrested, and sent from it a second time to Rome.

2. _His last epistles._ It is not certain that all the "pastoral epistles" were written by Paul. 1.) They are unlike his other writings in their style. 2.) His doctrinal views are not prominent in them. Yet on the whole, they show a reasonable probability of Paul's authorship.

1.) _First Timothy_ was written during the period of
liberty, between 63 and 66 A. D., as a book of
_counsels to a minister_, Timothy, in charge of the
church at Ephesus.

2.) _Titus_, about the same time and for the same
purpose; to Titus, in charge of churches on the island
of Crete.

3.) _Second Timothy_, from Rome, during Paul's second
and last imprisonment; a letter of farewell counsels
to his "son Timothy." Strictly speaking this book
should be named under the next subject.

VI. =The First Imperial Persecution.= The Christians were becoming numerous in Rome, as well as throughout the empire; and a conflict was sure to arise with the Roman government. The first persecution came soon after the burning of Rome, A. D. 64, which Nero charged falsely upon the Christians. Thousands were put to death, although the persecution was mainly limited to the capital. The _martyrdom of St. Paul_, probably of St. Peter also, took place about 68 A. D. at Rome.

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