Second Roman captivity

Many believe that it was in time of Nero who was trying to implicate Christians in the burning of Rome, and use Paul, as a leader of them, to imprison and put to death.

His Imprisonment

He was charged with being a criminal, and evil-doer (turn to 2Tim2:8-9)

2 Timothy 2:8–9 NASB95

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

It was for the preaching of the gospel. The gospel was now outlawed as an illegal religion

Paul had encouraged Timothy (turn to 2Tim1:8)

2 Timothy 1:8 NASB95

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

From the writings to Timothy it appears that this imprisonment was worse than the first (ref: Act28:30-31)

Paul had many of his companions gone now (turn to 2Tim4:10-12)

2 Timothy 4:10–12 NASB95

10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

Demas had forsake him.; Crescens went to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, Tychicus to Ephesus, Erastus to Corinth

But he was not forsaken (turn to 2Tim4:21)

2 Timothy 4:21 NASB95

21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

He longed for Timothy and Mark to come to his (v.11).

From scripture it seems Paul had already gone through a trial (turn to 2Tim4:14-18)

2 Timothy 4:14–18 NASB95

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

While Paul escaped death there, he did not escape imprisonment.

It is in this imprisonment that 2-Timothy was penned.

Purpose to stand strong, preach the word, endure hardship, commit the word and work to others (ref: 2Tim2:1-3, 14, 4:1, 5) - he covers exhortations of steadfast service, sound doctrine, and to come quickly.

Paul’s anticipation

He expected to die (turn to 2Tim4:6)

2 Timothy 4:6 NASB95

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

He also alludes to that(Php2:17, 23)

He was not ashamed, and now looking at context what he told Timothy (turn to 2Tim1:8-11)

2 Timothy 1:8–11 NASB95

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

Paul knew what awaited him (turn to 2Tim4:7-8)

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NASB95

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.

Speaking of crowns that the all believers receive as noted there; there is

Imperishable crown (1Cor9:24-25)

Crown of rejoicing (1The2:19)

Crown of glory (1Pt5:4)

Crown of life (Jam1:12, Rev2:10)

(Transition) scriptually speaking this is the end of the biblical writings on Paul, there are outside sources, and beliefs that we can glean from regarding his death.

Historical evidence of his death

Date of his death, about 68

Nero died in June 68, Paul was executed before that.

Location of his death: Ostian Road just outside Rome by a military escort) according to the writings of Jerome

Manner of death: He was beheaded. Roman citizens could not be crucified.

Place of burial in Rome in the subterranean labyrinths according to Clement of Rome writing.

Nero had both Paul and Peter executed on the same day. Peter was by crucifixion upside down.

Concluding the life of an apostle

Paul regardless of anything always pointed to Jesus, gave God the credit. Let us consider just a few scriptures before we close this series.

Turn to (1Cor15:9-10)

1 Corinthians 15:9–10 NASB95

9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Paul did not feel worthy of His calling (turn to Eph3:8-9)

Ephesians 3:8–9 NASB95

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Finally Paul recounts God wonderful grace and mercy available to all (turn to 1Tim1:12-16)

1 Timothy 1:12–16 NASB95

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.