Chapter 31—Paul’s Last Letter
From the judgment-hall of Caesar, Paul returned to his prison-
house, knowing that he had gained for himself only a brief respite; his
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enemies would not rest until they had secured his death. Yet he knew
that truth had triumphed for the time, and that to have proclaimed a
crucified and risen Saviour before the vast throng who had listened to
his words, was in itself a victory. A work had that day begun which
would increase and prosper, and which the emperor of Rome, with all
his pomp and power, would seek in vain to destroy or hinder.
The apostle’s speech had gained him many friends, and he was
visited by some persons of rank, who accounted his blessing of greater
value than the favor of the emperor of the world. But there was one
friend for whose sympathy and companionship he longed in those last
trying days. That friend was Timothy, to whom he had committed
the care of the church at Ephesus, and who had therefore been left
behind when he made his last voyage to Rome. The affection between
this youthful laborer and the apostle began with Timothy’s conversion
through the labors of Paul; and the tie had strengthened as they had
shared together the hopes and perils and toils of missionary life, until
they seemed to be as one. The disparity in their age and the difference
in their character made their interest and love for each other more
earnest and sacred. The ardent, zealous, indomitable spirit of Paul
found repose and comfort in the mild, yielding, retiring character
of Timothy. The faithful ministration and tender love of this tried
companion had brightened many a dark hour of the apostle’s life. All
that Melancthon was to Luther, all that a son could be to a loved and
honored father, that was the youthful Timothy to the tried and lonely
Paul.
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And now, sitting day after day in his gloomy cell, knowing that at a
word or nod from the tyrant Nero his life may be sacrificed, Paul thinks
of Timothy, and determines to send for him. Under the most favorable
circumstances, several months must elapse before Timothy can reach
Rome from Asia Minor. Paul knows that his own life, for even a single
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