I CAN DO ALL THINGS (PART VI)

“Paul Hit the Ground Running in Rome”

By Akin Ojumu

Isn't it ironic that when we get what we want in life, we tend to wind up less happy than before? Getting a wish fulfilled doesn’t always translate into greater satisfaction and fulfillment. I’m guessing that’s the reason for the popular saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” 

As I write this, there are many in the United States who are praying and wishing they end up as the winner of the $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot currently up for grabs. What many of these folks fail to carefully think through is how their lives will forever be changed if, by the stroke of luck, such a massive amount of money lands on their laps overnight. It’s this lack of thoughtful consideration that causes the vast majority of lottery winners to end up flatly broke, badly broken, severely depressed, or even worse just a few months or years after their huge unexpected windfall.

When it came to Apostle Paul, though, the “be careful what you wish for” axiom falls flat on its face. Paul got what he wished for, i.e., going to Rome, and he couldn’t be happier. Even though Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner, his stay in the city of Caesar would far exceed his expectations. 

Yes, he was chained to a centurion who guarded him 24/7. Yes, his independence was severely curtailed, and his movement was highly constrained. Even then, when compared to his fellow prisoners who arrived in Rome on the same ship and his previous incarcerations in Philippi, Paul’s imprisonment in Rome was like a stay in a country club.

Acts 28:16a

“And when we came to Rome...”

Let’s take a pause and think about the above statement for a minute. 

Because of the casualness with which Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, wrote this, “And when we came to Rome,” the gravity of the moment may be lost on the reader. Loaded into that simple statement are the number of emotions running through Paul’s mind at this time. Remember that Paul was a man of like passion like the rest of us. He had emotions which he expressed often in his writings. 

So, I’m trying to imagine how Paul must have felt when he finally arrived in the imperial city. After many years of wishing, longing, and praying, Paul made it to the Eternal City (Urbs Aeterna), Caput Mundi (Capital of the World), Urbs Sacra (Sacred City), and the City of Seven Hills. An avalanche of emotions must have washed over his soul. He probably fell on his knees in tears to give thanks to God.

And when we came to Rome…! 

Wow! The LORD our God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Twice, God told Paul that He would stand before Caesar in Rome to testify of Him. Despite satanic opposition and the various obstacles brought against Paul, God kept His promise.

Acts 23:11

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.””

Acts 27:23-24

“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’”

Paul’s coming to Rome was for a divine purpose. And because of this agenda, God providentially orchestrated circumstances and situations in favor of Paul’s assignment. 

Upon arriving in Rome, Julius, the centurion of the Augustan Cohort who had accompanied Paul to Rome, handed him over to the commander of the Praetorian Guard. Having been moved by God, Julius must have offered a glowing recommendation to his superiors on behalf of Paul and also handed over the letter of commendation by Governor Festus as well. The impressed centurion must have narrated their near-death ordeal on the high sea on their way to Rome and the way Paul conducted himself admirably, offering them assurance and hope that they would be saved by his God. 

As a result of these recommendations and testimonies, Paul avoided being sent to the notorious Mamertine Prison for incarceration. Rather than being housed like a common criminal, the apostle was permitted to live in his own rented apartment which he had to pay for from his own pocket, a benefit enjoyed by only a privileged few.

Acts 28:16

“Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.”

Several theories have been floated to explain how Paul was able to afford a rented apartment while in Rome, which were usually quite expensive. The answer to that is pretty simple. If God gives a commission, He always makes a provision. 

As to the specific sources of his funds, we can only speculate. Paul’s funds probably came from a combination of sources. As a skilled craftsman, making and repairing tents or other leather goods, he must have had some money saved up. A frugal man like Paul who worked night and day with his hand was definitely not penniless. He certainly didn’t have a lot, but he must have enough.

Acts 18:3

“And because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.”

1 Corinthians 4:12

“We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.”

1 Thessalonians 2:9

“Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.”

2 Thessalonians 3:8

“Nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.”

Another possible source of Paul’s income were contributions and support he received from several churches, especially that of the Macedonians. In fact, his letter to the Philippians was written purposely to thank this poor Church in Philippi for their overflowing generosity. Through Epaphroditus, the Philippians had sent provisions to Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome.

Philippians 4:10

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.”

Philippians 4:14-16

“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.”

Philippians 4:18

“I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

Now regarding Paul’s rented dwelling. There were several advantages to Paul’s house arrest, instead of being confined to the main prison in Rome. This arrangement enabled him to receive visitors freely.

Acts 28:30-31

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

Although bound with chains to a rotating shift of centurions who guarded him day and night, the private accommodation provided Paul the opportunity to continue to preach and teach.

Philippians 1:12-14

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

During his house arrest in Rome, Paul wrote four letters, i.e., the Prison Epistles. These four letters – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon – continue to be sources of spiritual growth, encouragement, strength for the Church till this day. In fact, this commentary series is on one of them.

Now that he was in Rome, Paul hit the ground running. Nothing was going to slow down his evangelistic zeal. Three days into his stay in Rome, Paul invited the local leaders of Jews who lived in Rome to a dialegomai. Even at this stage of his ministry, and considering the assault and insult he had received from the Jews wherever he went, his love for his people and desire that they may be saved had not waned. 

Romans 10:1-4

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.”

So, as he was wont to do, Paul again provided an opportunity for his fellow Jews to come to the knowledge of God and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Acts 28:17

“After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, 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.”

After taking them through the Scriptures to prove to them that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ they had been expectedly waiting for, some of the Jews believed, while others rejected the Gospel message. 

Acts 28:24

“And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.”

By rejecting the Gospel, the Jews fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Isaiah. Though they had eyes, they could not see. Even with full functioning ears, they still could not hear. Because of their apostasy, God hardened their heart, so they would not believe.

Acts 28:25-28

“And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

We’ll take it from here next time.