January 27 - After Acts - Paul's later life

January 27 - After Acts - Paul's later life

There is a lot of dispute regarding what happened after the book of Acts ends. Two schools of thought: Paul was beheaded by Nero in 64 AD, not long after Acts 28, the second puts his death a few years later. Those that teach the former, also teach that he didn't actually write the letters to Timothy and Titus - that they were written in his name. However, in believing that he was actually the author of those letters, it changes the timeline for his death. In all of the reading I have done on this subject to this point, I am going to assume that he was killed closer to 67AD and that he did write these three letters. That is the way I will approach today's study.

Scholars take information from these letters as well as other historical writings. Clement of Rome (died 101AD) spoke of Paul and implied that he did actually get a chance to go to Spain, which was in his plans (Romans 15:28) after being released from the Roman prison in 64 AD. Remember, that is the year that Rome burned to the ground and Nero concocted ways to blame the Christians for the tragedy. Tradition also says that Paul was able to travel to Britain, but there is no proof of that.

Using the letters to Timothy and Titus as a guide, we find that he left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5) traveled through Miletus (which is south of Ephesus) which is where he left Trophimus sick (2 Timothy 4:20) on his way to Macedonia. He visited Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) and left his books and cloak with Carpus in Troas (2 Timothy 4:13).

While he was in Macedonia, he wrote his first letter to Timothy and the letter to Titus. He had decided to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). At this point, we don't have much information. Whether he did stay the winter in Nicopolis is up in the air, but we know he didn't have his cloak. At some point he was re-arrested and imprisoned in Rome. He asks Timothy to bring his cloak (2 Timothy 4:13) because winter is coming (2 Timothy 4:21).

Many people deserted Paul during this time (2 Timothy 4;16), including friends in Asia (2 Timothy 1:15) and Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). Luke stayed with him (2 Timothy 4:11) and Paul asked Timothy to bring John Mark with him (2 Timothy 4:11). Apparently, Timothy did come and was himself imprisoned (Hebrews 13:23).

Paul had two trials before Nero and only the Lord stood by him at the first one (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We know nothing of the second trial, but tradition tells us that he was condemned. He was decapitated by the sword of the executioner. Since he was a Roman citizen, torture was not allowed. A swift execution was to take place. This happened no later than 68 AD since that is the known date of Nero's death.

Paul knew that his time was near and concluded his teaching with these words:

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Research from: Elwell, Walter A.; Comfort, Philip Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 1003