Acts 28:30-31

Two years at Rome:

v. 30. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

v. 31. preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Paul may, at this time, have been able to purchase many conveniences for himself, or the liberality of the various congregations made it possible; at any rate, he was able to rent and live in his own lodgings for two whole years, this probably being the length of time required for his case to come up to trial and be disposed of. And he certainly was not hard to find or difficult to get to, for he received all that came to him; no matter from what congregation the brethren came, they were always welcome. He was still in custody, Php_1:13-17 , but it certainly was of the very lightest kind. And just at this time God opened a door for His Word. For Paul spent his entire time in proclaiming the kingdom of God, not only by spoken words, but also in letters, for we have from this time of his life the epistles to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, to the Philippians, and to Philemon. In inviting men to become members of the kingdom of God, of the wonderful communion of saints, Paul always taught and repeated without rest or weariness the message concerning the Lord Jesus. With all confidence, with all open cheerfulness he preached; his sermons and private discussions were all redolent with the oil of the same bold joy with which the Lord had anointed him. And by the mercy of God he could do this unmolested, without hindrance. This must have been a great comfort to him and greatly increased his willingness and the enjoyment of his work for the Lord. The entire story shows how the Gospel of Christ gains its victories. For the same Gospel which Paul proclaimed in the capital of the world has since taken its course through the countries and is preached among the Gentiles to this day. The Church, which is established upon Jesus, the Rock of Ages, is standing today, and will stand to the end of time, and the portals of hell will not prevail against it.

Summary. The journey from Melita to Rome is completed without mishap, and Paul takes the opportunity in the capital to speak to the Jews and afterward, to many others, preaching to them the kingdom of God and their Savior Jesus Christ.

A Summary of the Latter Part of Paul's Life

Giving a fairly exact chronological summary of the last part of Paul's life is attended with some difficulties, as the many varying lists, especially those given by Meyer, indicate. Even the most careful study cannot claim absolute exactness, mainly because the Biblical account permits of so wide a latitude. The list here offered is therefore intended merely as an aid in orientation and may, in this respect, claim as much historical accuracy as any other list.

· Conversion of Paul. 32 or 33 A. D.

·First visit to Jerusalem after conversion. 35 or 36 A. D. Galatians 1:18.

·Beginning of first missionary journey. 46 A. D.

·"Return to Antioch. About August, 48 A. D.

·Second trip to Jerusalem and resolutions concerning Judaistic teaching. 49 A. D. Galatians 2:1.

·Beginning of second missionary journey;

·Syria and Cilicia. Autumn, 49 A. D.

·Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch. Winter, 49-50 A. D.

·Troas, Philippi. Spring, 50 A. D.

·Thessalonica and Berea. Summer, 50 A. D.

·Athens and Corinth. Early autumn, 50 A. D.

·Rising of Jews. Gallic. Late summer, 51 A. D.

·Jerusalem and Antioch. Spring and early summer, 52 A. D.

·Beginning of third journey. Syria, Cilicia, Galatia. 52-53 A. D.

·In Ephesus. Summer, 53 A. D. to June, 56 A. D.

·Macedonia and Illyricum. Summer and autumn, 56 A. D.

·In Corinth. End of 57 A. D. and beginning of 58 A. D.

·Jerusalem. Pentecost, 58 A. D.

·Prisoner at Caesarea. June, 58 A. D. to June, 60 A. D.

·Voyage to Rome. August, 60 A. D. to February or March, 61 A. D.

·Prisoner in Rome. Spring, 61 A. D. to spring, 63 A. D.

·Later journeys. 63-66 A. D. Second arrest. 66 A. D. or 67 A. D. Execution. 67 A. D. or 68 A. D