Chapter 44—Caesar’s Household
The gospel has ever achieved its greatest success among the hum-
bler classes. “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called.”
1 Corinthians 1:26
. It could not be ex-
pected that Paul, a poor and friendless prisoner, would be able to gain
the attention of the wealthy and titled classes of Roman citizens. To
them vice presented all its glittering allurements and held them willing
captives. But from among the toilworn, want-stricken victims of their
oppression, even from among the poor slaves, many gladly listened
to the words of Paul and in the faith of Christ found a hope and peace
that cheered them under the hardships of their lot.
Yet while the apostle’s work began with the humble and the lowly,
its influence extended until it reached the very palace of the emperor.
Rome was at this time the metropolis of the world. The haughty
Caesars were giving laws to nearly every nation upon the earth. King
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and courtier were either ignorant of the humble Nazarene or regarded
Him with hatred and derision. And yet in less than two years the
gospel found its way from the prisoner’s lowly home into the imperial
halls. Paul is in bonds as an evildoer; but “the word of God is not
bound.”
2 Timothy 2:9
.
In former years the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith of
Christ with winning power, and by signs and miracles he had given
unmistakable evidence of its divine character. With noble firmness
he had risen up before the sages of Greece and by his knowledge
and eloquence had put to silence the arguments of proud philosophy.
With undaunted courage he had stood before kings and governors, and
reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, until
the haughty rulers trembled as if already beholding the terrors of the
day of God.
No such opportunities were now granted the apostle, confined as
he was to his own dwelling, and able to proclaim the truth to those
only who sought him there. He had not, like Moses and Aaron, a
divine command to go before the profligate king and in the name of
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