February 12, 2006
Sentenced to house arrest and chained to a guard in Rome, Paul continued to make the most of every opportunity to win people to Christ. The way he lived his life, said his prayers, and dictated his letters, for instance, provided opportunities to the Gospel with the Roman guards. Meanwhile, his addresses to the local Jewish leaders paved the way for further interaction. As Alistair Begg notes, Paul’s imprisonment ultimately served as a platform to advance the Gospel rather than an impediment to silence him.
16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
17After 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. 18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Copyright © 2023, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.