Acts Bible Study: (v. 15-31)

Paul arrived in Rome around 61-62 AD.

We don’t know a lot of specifics about Paul’s ministry during this time in Rome, but we do know some. What we do know comes from this last part of Acts 28 and what we can gather from Paul’s letters written after he arrived in Rome. There is also some knowledge that can be gained from historical sources other than the Bible, and we will look at those too.

First, what does Acts 28 Tells us…

Acts 28:15–31 (NASB)

15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” 29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. 30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

1. Paul’s First Week in Rome: (v. 15-20)

15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” …

(v. 15-16) 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

For the second time now, Paul is in prison, but given great freedom.

Acts 24:22–23 (NASB)

22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

Acts 24:27 (NASB)

27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

This was also a 2 year imprisonment with as much freedom as was possible for a prisoner to have.

(v. 17-20) 17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” …

Paul’s freedom allowed for him to have not only visitors, but audiences. He was able to preach to them and reason with them. Here he brings them up to speed on the events that occured in Acts 21-26.

2. Paul Preaches the Gospel in Rome: (v. 21-29)

21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” 29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

Acts 23:10–11 (NASB)

10 And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. 11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

(v. 23) 23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Matthew 5:17 (NASB)

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Luke 24:27 (NASB)

27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

(v. 25-29)

Isaiah 6:9–10 (NASB)

9 He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ 10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Romans 11:7–8 (ESV)

7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

Luke 8:10 (NASB)

10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

3. Paul’s Prison Ministry: (v. 30-31)

30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

Paul was in house arrest for two years and yet, God used him in a mighty way, and his ministry didn’t even decrease, in fact, his ministry might have even increased during this time. His reach certainly did.

I particularly love verse 31!

We know exactly how unhindered his ministry was through Paul’s prison epistles. (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Philemon) All were written between 62-63 AD.

Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 4:22 (ESV)

22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

We also know Paul’s letters reached Peter and Peter’s audience.

2 Peter 3:14–16 (NASB)

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

There are other things we know from the prison epistles about these two years of Paul’s ministry:

During his house arrest in Rome while awaiting his appeal to Caesar to be heard, he not only wrote the four prison epistles, he also had a pretty awesome ministry team with him for the majority of that time. They helped him minister to people outside of those in Rome that could come to him face to face.

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Twenty-Four: Paul Arrives in Rome (Acts 27–28))

Paul had Timothy with him (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philemon 1), as well as John Mark, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, and Demas.

Colossians 4:10–14 (ESV)

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Philemon 23–24 (NASB)

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

The book of Philemon also tells us Paul also met Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, during this time and led him to faith in Christ .

Philemon 10 (NASB)

10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment…

Tychicus was Paul’s “mailman” who delivered Ephesians (Eph. 6:21), Colossians, and Philemon (Col. 4:7–9).

Ephesians 6:21–22 (NASB)

21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Colossians 4:7–9 (NASB)

7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

Onesimus being mentioned here is why we believe Tychicus delivered Philemon’s letter too. He brought the letter as he delivered Onesimus. Couple that with the fact that all the men I mentioned earlier send their greetings to Philemon in verse 23-24, except Tychicus. The only plausible reason is that he wasn’t there to send his greetings and we already know he was out delivering letters and had Onesimus with him.

What about after Acts 28?

Paul isn’t executed at the end of these two years in Rome. Luke stops writing here, not because Paul was beheaded, but because Paul was set free. The end of the two years would have been right around 63 AD and most all Christian historians agree that Paul was executed toward the end of Nero’s reign, in 67 AD. We get that time frame from three reputable ancient sources… All three recorded their history for us between the year 96 - 305 AD

These sources are Clement, Eusebius and Tertullian.

All three record Paul’s execution in Rome in the year 67 AD, by order of Nero.

For reference, Nero committed suicide on June 9, 68 AD, so we know Paul died before that.

Paul is released in 63 AD and was executed in 67 Ad. That gives us about 4 years of details that Luke doesn’t record for us in the book of Acts.

However, the Bible isn’t silent on how God used Paul in those 4 years. We don’t get a lot of details, but we do get some.

1 Timothy and Titus were both written by Paul between 64-65 AD.

2 Timothy was penned by Paul at the end of 66 AD or in the first half of 67 AD.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 (NASB)

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

So what did Paul do during these 4 years?

We for sure know he wrote two letters to Timothy and one to Titus.

He might have written Hebrews as well, but that is uncertain.

Paul did get back to traveling and took a 4th and likely a 5th missionary journey during this time.

These last missionary journeys spanned 4 years and over 2,200 miles…maybe more!

Where did he go and what did he do?

CLEMENT OF ROME [†c. A.D. 96], a contemporary of the Apostles (Historians acknowledge his interactions and ministry work with Peter and John). Clement tells us that after Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, he preached in both the East and the West.

Quote “he was a teacher of righteousness unto the whole world, and before his death at the order of Caesar, reached the furthest bounds of the West and bore testimony before the ruling powers.”

Considering that Clement was writing from Rome, and keeping in mind the expression 'the furthest bounds of the West' at the time, was referring to the Pillars of Hercules, in Spain, we understand that Clement is saying that Paul made it all the way to Spain after his release.

Clement’s testimony is also validated or at least given more weight by Scripture. We know Clement was living at Rome at the time of Paul’s house arrest, and based on Paul’s own testimony, he knew Clement personally from his time under house arrest in Rome.

Philippians 4:3 (ESV)

3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers…

We also know Paul desired to minister in Spain:

Romans 15:24 (NASB)

24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while—

Eusebius of Caesarea (260ish - 339 AD)

The Christian Historian also states that Paul was released in 63 AD, then preached in the east and the west, and then came back to Rome where he was arrested a second time and then beheaded by the order of Nero in 67 AD.

Spain is about 1,000 miles west of Rome. Spain is the west they were referring to.

But both Clement and Eusebius also say that he preached in the east after his release as well.

Scripture confirms this!

Remember, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus were all written during this time between Paul’s two imprisonments in Rome.

There is information contained in them that tells us what Paul was doing and where he was for those years.

Titus 3:12 (NASB)

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Nicopolis is in Greece, East of Rome about 560 miles. Paul states clearly that he spent a winter in Nicopolis, Greece, where he was writing Titus in about 65 AD.

1 Timothy 1:3 (ESV)

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus…

So Paul goes back to Macedonia and installs Timothy as the pastor in Ephesus on the way. This would have taken place sometime between 64-65 AD. Both Macedonia and Ephesus are EAST of Rome.

Titus 1:5 (NASB)

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

Paul also installs Titus as the pastor on the church in Crete and has him appoint elders or pastors in other churches in other cities as well. Crete is an island about 1,100 miles EAST of Rome.

2 Timothy 4:19–21 (ESV)

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

We also know he visited Corinth and Miletus before he was imprisoned a second time in Rome.

Based on the fact that Paul left Timothy and Titus as elders or pastors, most scholars believe that what he is telling Timothy here…that Erastus is now pastoring in Corinth and Trophimus is now pastoring in Miletus.

Based on Paul’s letters, he went back and revisited the same locations he been to on his three previous missionary journey’s, this time putting key leaders in place, four specifically mentioned by name, so that the churches would continue to grow.

Matthew Henry affirms this in his commentary at the end of Acts 28.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Acts 28:30–31)

“Tradition tells us that after his discharge he went from Italy to Spain, thence to Crete with Titus, and so with Timothy into Judea, and thence went to visit the churches in Asia, and at length came a second time to Rome, and there was beheaded in the last year of Nero.”

Paul’s second imprisonment was not like the first. He did not live in a house the second time, but was chained in dungeon and treated like a criminal.

2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV)

9 …I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

Paul was still preaching!

2 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)

13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

As winter approached, Paul was cold. Most likely because he was in a dungeon with stone walls. That’s why he is asking for this heavy duty cloak to keep him warm.

Even so, notice he is even more eager to get his books and parchments because discipling the people of God was his greatest priority He wanted more paper to write more letters.

***So why did he get arrested a second time and beheaded?

We honestly don’t know for sure. Some speculate it was random and when Nero went off the deep end and started having Christians rounded up and killed that Paul was in Rome at the time and just happened to be one of the casualties. Whatever the reason, he was in prison again.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Acts 28:30–31)

John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, in 397 AD, he wrote about Paul’s martyrdom. He states that a young woman that was one of Nero’s servants was essentially a sex slave for him. She was converted to Christianity through Paul’s preaching, and as a result, she repented of her sins, including fornication with Nero, and refused to sleep with him anymore. When Nero found out why she wouldn’t sleep with him anymore, and already hated Christians, he had Paul arrested. Then, after Paul’s defense, which was required by law because Paul was a Roman citizen, Nero then had him beheaded.

I do not know where Chrysostom got that information. Maybe it was well known oral history at that time and he was the first to put it on paper. He is the first person to record that for us, about 330 years after Paul’s execution. We don’t have any reason to doubt him, after all he is a very well respected and reputable theologian and source of church history. But we also don’t have any other sources that confirm his account of Paul’s execution either. That said, I believe this story is worth noting.

***The saddest part about Paul’s second imprisonment was that he was forsaken and abandoned by most all the Christians in Rome. The very people he came to minister to, failed to minister to him.

2 Timothy 4:9–11 (ESV)

9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

2 Timothy 4:16 (ESV)

16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

But God did’t abandon Paul!

2 Timothy 4:17–18 (ESV)

17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

And God won’t abandon us either!

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.”