The Last Years of Paul's Life
Paul had written to the Roman brethren that he would like to go to Spain after seeing them (Romans 15:23-25, 28). But things didn’t go quite as Paul planned.
After going to Jerusalem, he was arrested. He was held for several years in Caesarea while Felix waited for a bribe that never came (Acts 24:26-27). When threatened with being taken to Jerusalem, where he would likely be assassinated, Paul finally used his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to Caesar (Acts 25:10-11). Thus, Paul did go to Rome, but as a prisoner instead of a free man.
Paul did not travel to Rome alone. Notice the use of “we,” indicating that Luke traveled with Paul (Acts 27:1). We are not told how many traveled with Paul and Luke.
On the way to Rome, they stop in Crete (Acts 27:8). It was not a short stay. Luke says, “When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over” (Acts 27:9). Likely they stayed in Crete waiting for favorable winds which just weren’t happening. The decision was to move to the other side of Crete where there was a better harbor. Paul warned against the decision, but the ship went anyway. During the trip, they are caught up in a storm that eventually leaves everyone stranded on the island of Malta. After spending three months on Malta (long enough for the season of storms to end), the journey to Rome resumes (Acts 28:11).
In Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest for two years, and that is where the Book of Acts ends.
So what is the rest of the story? What happened to Paul?
It isn’t that we don’t know, but we have to piece the story from the various letters Paul wrote. There are at least four letters written by Paul during his time under arrest: Ephesians (Ephesians 3:1; 6:20), Philippians (Philippians 1:7), Colossians, and Philemon (Philemon 1,10).
There were probably five letters if you accept that Hebrews is also a letter by Paul. It was written in Italy (Hebrews 13:24). The author was in prison (Hebrews 10:32-34). He mentions that Timothy was recently freed (Hebrews 13:23). The Greek word apoluo in this verse means to be released, such as from prison or from an obligation. We know that Timothy spent time with Paul while Paul was in prison (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1). And we also know that Paul had planned to send Timothy to Philippi (Philippians 2:19). Paul states that he signs all his letters in a similar fashion (II Thessalonians 3:17-18). You can find a similarly worded verse near the end of all of Paul’s letters and that same sentence is found in Hebrews 13:25. Finally Hebrews was typically included in manuscripts of Paul’s letters.
“It is also worthy of note that in several of the early Greek manuscripts this epistle is located, not after Philemon as in our Bibles, but grouped among the other Pauline epistles, thereby revealing that those who arranged the manuscripts considered Hebrews to be of Pauline origin” [Dr. W. Gary Crampton, “Hebrews: Who Is the Author?”]
“Next come the 14 epistles of Paul ... The Book of Hebrews is placed after Second Thessalonians and before First Timothy. Then afterward we have what are known as the Pastoral Epistles given to pastors or evangelists, all individuals: Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and then last of all is the great prophetic book of Revelation. The position of Hebrews in the vast majority of official manuscripts shows it in the midst of the epistles of Paul” [Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D., “The Book of Hebrews”].
While in prison, Paul wondered if it was time for his departure from this world, but there was much to accomplish (Philippians 1:7,12-14,21-24). However, Paul was confident that he wouldn’t die just yet. “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25). He planned to come to Philippi again (Philippians 1:26). Timothy would be sent to Philippi and Paul would follow shortly himself (Philippians 2:19,23-24). Philemon was told to have a room ready for Paul (Philemon 22). And the writer of Hebrews hoped to be restored to the brethren soon and that he would visit them with Timothy (Hebrews 13:19,23).
There is another hint that Paul’s imprisonment ended at the end of Acts. “And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters” (Acts 28:30). Since Luke knew when Paul’s imprisonment ended, that indicates that it did come to an end.
Near the end of Paul’s life, he looks back and talks about his first defense and his deliverance (II Timothy 4:16-17), which also indicates that he left imprisonment in Rome only to return to jail at a later time.
The letters of I Timothy and Titus were written after Paul’s release from his imprisonment. Paul mentions that he and Titus traveled to Crete where he left Titus as Paul continued on (Titus 1:4-5). He also mentioned leaving Timothy in Ephesus while he continued on to Macedonia (I Timothy 1:3). He planned to return to Ephesus and meet Timothy there at a later point in time (I Timothy 4:13).
Ultimately he ends up in Nicopolis, which is on the western edge of Greece. One of the reasons for writing Titus is that he wanted Titus to join him there while Paul waited for the winter to end (Titus 3:12). Paul was going to send either Artemas or Tychicus to Titus. The assumption is that the person sent would be taking over for Titus in Crete or that they were coming to travel with Titus up to Nicopolis.
Recall that Paul stated that he desired to visit Spain. Nicopolis would have been a good spot to begin a journey to Spain via the roads through Europe.
Some early Christian writers, while not inspired, do mention that Paul was released by Caesar, traveled two years in Spain, and was arrested again
“By reason of jealousy and strife Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance. After that he had been seven times in bonds, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, had preached in the East and in the West, he won the noble renown which was the reward of his faith, having taught righteousness unto the whole world and having reached the farthest bounds of the West; and when he had borne his testimony before the rulers, so he departed from the world and went unto the holy place, having been found a notable pattern of patient endurance.” [Clement of Rome, I Clement 5:5-6].
“Moreover, the acts of all the apostles were written in one book. For 'most excellent Theophilus' Luke compiled the individual events that took place in his presence — as he plainly shows by omitting the martyrdom of Peter as well as the departure of Paul from the city [of Rome] when he journeyed to Spain. As for the Epistles of Paul, they themselves make clear to those desiring to understand, which ones [they are], from what place, or for what reason they were sent” [Muratorian Canon, 34-40]
The book of II Timothy was then written during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome. Paul mentions that he is in prison (II Timothy 1:8). This time, he is looking at this being the end of his life (II Timothy 4:6-8). He asks for Timothy to come to him, so Timothy is not there this time (II Timothy 4:9-12). He also mentions having left a cloak and books in Troas (II Timothy 4:13). This indicates that it wasn’t long since he was last in Troas. Paul wants Timothy to reach him before winter (II Timothy 4:21). There is an urgency in this request, not just because of the approaching winter but perhaps the knowledge that he won’t be around much longer. Finally, we notice that the greetings from the local brethren to Timothy are all Roman names, hinting at Paul’s location (II Timothy 4:21).
Secular history states that Paul died in Rome.
“This tradition, that Paul suffered martyrdom in Rome, is early and universal, and disputed by no counter-tradition and may be accepted as the one certain historical fact known about Paul outside of the New Testament accounts. Clement is the first to mention the death of Paul, and seems to imply, though he does not directly state, that his death took place in Rome during the persecution of Nero. Caius, a writer of the first quarter of the third century, is another witness to his death in Rome, as is also Dionysius of Corinth of the second century. Origen (quoted by Euseb. III. 1) states that he was martyred in Rome under Nero. Tertullian (at the end of the second century), in his De Præscriptione Hær. chap. 36, is still more distinct, recording that Paul was beheaded in Rome. Eusebius and Jerome accept this tradition unhesitatingly, and we may do likewise. As a Roman citizen, we should expect him to meet death by the sword” [Philip Schaff, “Life of Eusebius Pamphilius,” Church History, vol 2]
