“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:1–2 (ESV)
Following his two year house arrest imprisonment in Rome, while awaiting his trial before the Roman Emperor Nero (Acts 28:30). Paul was released from prison. This was apparently something he had anticipated happening (Philippians 1:25; 2:24; Philemon 22). Paul’s release probably occurred prior to Nero’s burning of Rome, which he accused Christians of doing (A.D. 64).
References in Scripture would seem to indicate that Paul then traveled to Nicopolis, Greece (Titus 3:12), Thessalonica (2 Timothy 4:10), Crete (Titus 1:5), and the region known as Asia Minor, or modern Turkey. This included the cities of Ephesus (2 Timothy 1:18; 4:12), Troas (2 Timothy 4:13), and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). It is even possible that Paul eventually traveled to Spain (Romans 15:23, 24, 28).
The ancient book known as 1 Clement indicates that by about A.D. 67, Paul was once again imprisoned by Nero and eventually executed. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 seems to anticipate Paul’s impending death and home going to heaven.
Following Paul’s first release from Roman imprisonment, and prior to his execution by Nero, he wrote what is referred to as the Pastoral Epistles. These are three New Testament letters written to two pastors: Timothy and Titus. It is to these three epistles that we will give attention to for the next several days.
Dr. John Walvoord writes, “One question commonly raised pertains to Paul’s activities after this two-year captivity. What happened? Perhaps no charges were filed in Rome and Paul was released. The Jews would know they had no case against Paul outside of Judea and so would be reluctant to argue their cause in Rome. Probably Paul returned to the provinces of Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia and then turned west to Spain according to his original plans (Rom. 15:22–28). Then he ministered once more in the Aegean area where he was taken prisoner, removed to Rome, and executed. And so it was that the kingdom message under God’s sovereign control went from Jew to Gentile, and from Jerusalem to Rome.”
I encourage you to begin reading the Epistle of I Timothy. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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