A Harmony Of The Life Of Paul - Between The First And Second Roman Captivity (63-67 A.D.)

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                    "A HARMONY OF THE LIFE OF PAUL"

       Between The First And Second Roman Captivity (63-67 A.D.)

INTRODUCTION

1. During his first Roman imprisonment, Paul expected to be released...
   a. Expressed in his epistle to the Philippians - Php 1:23-27; 2:24
   b. Expressed in his plans to visit Philemon - Phm 22

2. That he was released and traveled some more is evidenced...
   a. By references made in such epistles as 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus
   b. By the testimony of those who came along later:  Chrysostom, 
      Jerome, Eusebius, and  even Clement of Rome, who lived in the 
      latter part of the first century A.D.

[The exact nature and extent of his travels between his two Roman
imprisonments is uncertain.  In his book, A Harmony Of The Life Of St.
Paul, Frank J. Goodwin offers the following information concerning...]

I. PAUL'S TRAVELS

   A. CONJECTURAL TRAVELS...
      1. Paul certainly desired to go to Philippi - Php 1:26; 2:24
      2. He desired to visit Philemon at Colosse - Phm 22
      3. If he went to Colosse, he would have probably visited nearby
         Laodicea and Hierapolis - cf. Col 2:1; 4:12-13,15-16
      4. He had expressed a desire to travel to Spain - Ro 15:24,28
         a. Clement implies that he may have done so (1 Clem 5:5)
         b. He is stated as doing so in the Canon of Muratori (as per 
            ISBE)

   B. AUTHENTIC TRAVELS...
      1. Paul and Timothy went to Ephesus - 1Ti 1:3; 3:14-15
      2. Leaving Timothy at Ephesus, Paul went to Macedonia - 1Ti 1:3
      3. Paul and Titus made a trip to Crete - Tit 1:5
      4. Paul to Miletus, where he left Trophimus sick - 2Ti 4:20
      5. Paul returned to Ephesus, where he was served by Onesiphorus 
         - 2Ti 1:16-18
      6. A trip was made to Troas, where Paul left a cloak and books 
         with Carpus - 2Ti 4:13
      7. He also went to Corinth with Erastus - 2Ti 4:20
      8. He spent a winter at Nicopolis - Tit 3:12
         a. Conybeare supposes that Paul was arrested in Nicopolis
         b. He was then sent to Rome for his second imprisonment

[During these travels, Paul was assisted by many brethren.  He was also
opposed by a few.  Here is a brief review of Paul's acquaintances during
this time...]

II. PAUL'S ACQUAINTANCES

   A. HIS FRIENDS...
      1. Timothy, who went with Paul to Ephesus and remained there 
         - 1Ti 1:1-3
      2. Titus...left in Crete, and then asked to come to Paul in 
         Nicopolis - Tit 1:4-5; 3:14-15
      3. Erastus, who stayed in Corinth - 2Ti 4:20
      4. Trophimus, whom Paul left sick at Miletus - 2Ti 4:20
      5. Carpus, who was with Paul at Troas - 2Ti 4:13
      6. Onesiphorus, who saw Paul in Rome and ministered to him at 
         Ephesus - 2Ti 1:16-18
      7. Artemas and Tychicus, who were sent to Titus in Crete - Tit 3:12
      8. Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, who were asked to come to 
         Nicopolis - Tit 3:13

   B. HIS OPPONENTS...
      1. Hymenaeus and Alexander
         a. Both of whom lost their faith, and began to blaspheme - 1Ti 
            1:19-20
         b. Hymenaeus declared that the resurrection had already 
            occurred - 2Ti 2:17-18
         c. Alexander did Paul much harm, and resisted Paul's words 
            - 2Ti 4:14-15
      2. Philetus, who joined with Hymenaeus in his false teaching 
         - 2Ti 2:17-18

[As was the case during his earlier journeys and even while imprisoned
in Rome, Paul took advantage of opportunities to write letters...]

III. PAUL'S LETTERS

   A. THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY...
      1. Written from Macedonia (63 or 64 A.D.) - 1Ti 1:1-3
      2. Purpose:  To instruct Timothy concerning church matters at 
         Ephesus, and provide counsel for Timothy's own spiritual 
         progress
      3. Theme:  Sound Doctrine For A Church And Its Preacher
      4. Brief Outline:
         a. Charge concerning sound doctrine - 1Ti 1:1-20
         b. General instructions concerning the church - 1Ti 2:1-3:13
         c. Advice to Timothy - 1Ti 3:14-4:16
         d. Instructions concerning members of the church - 1Ti 5:1-
            6:21

   B. THE EPISTLE TO TITUS...
      1. Written perhaps from Corinth or Ephesus (63-66 A.D.) - Tit 1:1-4
      2. Purpose:  To instruct Titus concerning church matters at Crete
      3. Theme:  Set In Order The Things That Are Lacking
      4. Brief Outline:
         a. Instructions concerning church organization - Tit 1:1-16
         b. Instructions concerning Christian conduct - Tit 2:1-3:15

CONCLUSION

1. The time of Paul's life "Between The First And Second Roman Captivity
   (63-67 A.D.)" is  similar to the period we described as "Paul's Early
   Years Of Service (36-45 A.D.)"...
   a. The Scriptures reveal little about each of them
   b. What indication we have is that Paul was active and fruitful 
      during both periods

2. Even less is revealed about the final period of Paul's life...
   a. The second Roman captivity
   b. His martyrdom

Yet we will notice that with the help of his faith and friends, Paul was
able to finish his sojourn in this life with joyful anticipation of what
was to come.   May we be blessed to have the same faith, and the same
support from good friends in Christ!
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