Did Paul Ever Leave Rome?
The historical record of Paul’s life, as recorded in the Acts, ends with Paul in prison in Rome, awaiting the judgment of his case by the Roman emperor, Caesar. From this fact we might quickly conclude that his life ended there. However, a careful study of his epistles leads to a different conclusion.
It is profitable to understand that the Scriptures do not always present historical facts in a direct manner. Consider, for example, the martyrdom of Peter. It is fact made known to us only by the Lord’s indication that it should be so. Having it thus from His lips, we are as sure that the event took place as if we had seen it for ourselves.
If we only had sources outside of the Word to study, such as tradition and secular history, we would consider the question of whether or not Paul was set free to be one to leave alone as the Spirit of God had not chosen to give us an answer. However, we believe the Word does shed sufficient light on the question to make the study of it profitable.
Evidence in Philippians
By the Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul we have similar evidence that he did depart from Rome after a first imprisonment there and later was imprisoned there a second time. Turn to Philippians 1:21-2621For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:21‑26) (JND), which was written from Rome. “To me to live is Christ, and to die gain; but if to live in flesh is my lot, this is for me worth the while: and what I shall choose I cannot tell. But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, for it is very much better, but remaining in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes; and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all, for your progress and joy in faith; that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through me by my presence again with you.”
The Spirit of God gave utterance to these inspired words through a human mouthpiece. After Paul tells them that while for himself he would choose the far sweeter portion of departing to be with Christ, he nevertheless felt desirous to stay a little longer, that he might be of service to them.
He concludes with the positive statements: “Remaining in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes,” not “I think it is.” “I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all,” not “I think I shall.” Note particularly that he is not giving his opinion, but facts. Verse 26 is most explicit. He is to remain in order that their boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through him by his presence again with them. How can we doubt, therefore, that Paul was liberated, left Rome, saw again the saints at Philippi, without practically denying the inspiration of this part of the Word? Would the Spirit of God have the Apostle to say that he knew he should remain and see them once more if the event was going to be just the opposite? Far be the thought.
Visit to Spain
There are passages in which the inspired writer is allowed to give his personal judgment (for example, 1 Corinthians 7:25 and other parts of that chapter where the Apostle gives his thoughts and judgment as a spiritual man, his mind animated and guided by the Spirit), but it is quite a different thing here. The remaining and abiding along with them are spoken of as actual facts that are to have their accomplishment, and inasmuch as we are reading the Word of God, and not the word of man, we believe that they did have their accomplishment.
It may be objected that Romans 15:2828When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Romans 15:28) is as positive a statement that he will go by Rome into Spain. So it is. But why doubt that he went? What more likely than that upon his liberation he proceeded immediately thither, according to his long formed intention? Wherever the Apostle does not feel at liberty to speak with certainty of anything he proposes to do, he says, “I hope,” or, “If the Lord will,” or the like. See 1 Corinthians 16:7; Philippians 2:1919But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. (Philippians 2:19); Philemon 22.
It may be asked, “Granted that this passage proves the point in question, what do we gain?” Much. How blessed the grace which, after Paul by his self-willed journey to Jerusalem had been brought a captive to Rome, so orders things that he is free once more and visits yet again, for their “progress and joy in faith,” the beloved Macedonian saints! It is sweet to contemplate this final mercy bestowed by the Lord upon His servant! How He loves to bless us and just when, by our foolish ways, we have demonstrated our unworthiness to be blessed!
Testimony in Second Timothy
The passage in Philippians should be conclusive for a subject mind. Second Timothy, however, supplies abundant confirmation. “Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick” (ch. 4:20). Now it is impossible that the Apostle can refer to his visit to Miletum (Acts 20:1538) — to say nothing of the time which had elapsed since then, which must have been three or four years — because we read that Trophimus was with him when he arrived at Jerusalem (Acts 21:2929(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) (Acts 21:29)). And the narrative in Acts 27 makes it perfectly plain that he did not go near Miletum in his voyage to Rome, Myra in Lycia (vs. 5) being the only point touched in Asia Minor. It becomes, therefore, a matter of absolute certainty that this leaving of Trophimus at Miletum must have occurred when Paul, having been liberated and having left Rome, was once again in Asia Minor.
Note the largeness of the Lord’s grace to Paul. Not only was it granted to him to revisit Macedonia and cause the boasting of the Philippians to abound in Christ Jesus through him by his presence again with them, but also to see again some of the Asia Minor assemblies and Corinth. “Erastus remained in Corinth” (2 Tim. 4:20 JND). No doubt there must have been much sorrow connected with this journey, for when in Rome again, he tells Timothy that “all who are in Asia . . . have turned away from me” (ch. 1:15 JND), but to minister the truth carried with it a joy that no defection of the halfhearted could take away, and here and there he found a Prisca and Aquila and a household of Onesiphorus.
Second Timothy is the last word from the Apostle. In Philippians he says that he was going to remain and in 2 Timothy that he was going to depart. “I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is come” (2 Tim 4:6 JND). In Philippians he says, “Do thy diligence to come before winter” (ch. 4:21). Beautiful are his closing words of triumph. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (ch. 4:7). “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (ch. 4:18). Beautiful are his parting salutations to his beloved child. “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you” (ch. 4:22).
F. M., adapted