Paul set Free! Paul spent nearly four years under house arrest (2 in Caesarea Maritima and 2 in Rome). Most scholars believe that he was acquitted in about 62AD and freed from captivity.

Paul set Free! We feel fairly certain that he was executed in 67/8AD in Rome. What happened in the intervening four years? ? 62AD 67/8AD

Paul set Free! Sadly, the Book of Acts ends rather abruptly. Acts 28:30-31 – For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul set Free! It’s very doubtful Paul spent six years (62-67/8AD) in prison or under house arrest. 1 st Century prisons were much different than today. They were mainly used as places to securely hold persons until their trial and punishment.

Paul set Free! The biblical witness ends before we know what actually happened to Paul. There is a pseudo-canonical “29 th Chapter” of Acts (Sonnini Manuscript) which tells of Paul’s travels to Spain, Britain, France and Switzerland. The document first appeared in a book owned by the French naturalist Sonnini de Manoncourt in the 18 th century. Modern scholarship discounts this document as uninspired and so we are left to try to piece together the last few years of Paul’s life from fragmentary evidence left behind in the Pastoral Epistles.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey We are left to try to piece together what took place between 62AD and Paul’s execution in 67/8AD. We know that he appealed to Caesar and therefore believe that sometime during his house arrest in Rome he did indeed appear before Nero. This audience would have taken place before Nero began his purge of Christians following the great fire (July 18 – 23, 64AD).

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey Paul was released by Nero. We see evidence of Paul’s anticipation of being released: Philemon 22 (60/1AD) - And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Philippians 1:19 - for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey Paul planned to visit Philemon who lived in Colossae. But we also know that Paul wished to visit Spain as well. Romans 15:22-25 – For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you; but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 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-- but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. This is attested by Clement of Rome who in 95AD wrote: … and having preached righteousness to the whole world, and having come to the extremity of the West, and having borne witness before rulers, he departed at length out of the world, and went to the holy place, having become the greatest example of patience.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey Colossae and Spain are in opposite directions from Rome. Spain Colossae RomeRome

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey And so, it’s quite conceivable that Paul postponed his visit to Philemon to take a journey to Spain. Given the distance and time required to travel from Rome to Spain (4-10 days by sea) it is probable that Paul remained in Spain for some time. Having completed his mission in Spain perhaps he sailed to Crete to engage in ministry with Titus. Titus 1:5 – The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey From here things get a little fuzzy. What follows is my best estimate of the journey. It is by no means authoritative, it’s simply one man’s opinion.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey Paul travels from Crete to Ephesus to visit Timothy. I feel certain Paul stayed with Timothy for some time. During this extended visit, several important events took place: 1) Paul crossed swords with the coppersmith Alexander (2 Tim. 4:14); 2) He had a huge falling out with the believers in Asia (2 Tim. 1:15); 3) He received help and encouragement from Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 1:16-18); 4) He urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus to correct false teaching (1 Tim. 1:3). It may very well be that during this time Paul traveled to Colossae to visit Philemon – we just plain don’t know.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey After this events proceed at a faster pace. Paul leaves Ephesus with the intention of reaching Macedonia. 1 Timothy 1:3 - As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer For some reason he went to Miletus instead, taking Trophimus with him. Sadly, Trophimus falls ill and Paul leaves him behind (2 Tim. 4:20). Paul books passage on a boat heading north to Macedonia.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey The ship would probably have stopped in Traos. Here, Paul leaves his coat and books (2 Tim 4:13). The fact that Paul leaves his coat leads us to believe that this is summertime.

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey We know nothing about Paul’s journey through Macedonia, or if it even occurred for that matter. It’s likely that he went visiting the churches he planted in places like Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica, making his way down to Corinth. Sometime during this journey, Paul begins to plan his winter stay in the warmer city of Nicopolis. Titus 3:12 - As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Nicopolis

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey It’s possible that Paul wrote his letter to Titus and the first letter to Timothy while he was planning his winter stay. These letters were might have been sent from Corinth (or earlier from Philippi). Paul leaves Erastus in Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20), since he was from Corinth originally (Rom. 16:23). He heads toward Nicopolis in the hopes that Titus will join him there. When or where Paul was arrested is a mystery. It could have been in Nicopolis or on the way – we just don’t know. Nicopolis

Paul in Chains - Again Paul was taken back to Rome in chains – by now it’s 67/8AD. Nero’s persecution of the Christians is in full swing.

Paul in Chains - Again This time Paul is not allowed house arrest. Instead he’s taken to the notorious Mamertine Prison in downtown Rome. This may explain his desire for his coat (2 Tim. 4:13) and the fact that he wanted Timothy to hurry to reach him before winter (2 Tim. 4:20). It was here that Paul penned his last letter – 2 Timothy. Because he was a Roman citizen, Paul would have most likely been beheaded as opposed to being thrown to wild beasts, or crucified, or some other inhumane execution.

Saint Paul’s Tomb - Rome It is believed that the remains of Paul are buried in what is today St. Paul’s Basilica.