Chapter 47—The Final Arrest
Paul’s work among the churches after his acquittal at Rome, could
not escape the observation of his enemies. Since the beginning of
the persecution under Nero the Christians had everywhere been a
proscribed sect. After a time the unbelieving Jews conceived the idea
of fastening upon Paul the crime of instigating the burning of Rome.
Not one of them thought for a moment that he was guilty; but they
knew that such a charge, made with the faintest show of plausibility,
would seal his doom. Through their efforts, Paul was again arrested,
and hurried away to his final imprisonment.
On his second voyage to Rome, Paul was accompanied by several
of his former companions; others earnestly desired to share his lot,
but he refused to permit them thus to imperil their lives. The prospect
before him was far less favorable than at the time of his former impris-
onment. The persecution under Nero had greatly lessened the number
of Christians in Rome. Thousands had been martyred for their faith,
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many had left the city, and those who remained were greatly depressed
and intimidated.
Upon his arrival at Rome, Paul was placed in a gloomy dungeon,
there to remain until his course should be finished. Accused of insti-
gating one of the basest and most terrible of crimes against the city
and the nation, he was the object of universal execration.
The few friends who had shared the burdens of the apostle, now
began to leave him, some by desertion, and others on missions to
the various churches. Phygellus and Hermogenes were the first to
go. Then Demas, dismayed by the thickening clouds of difficulty and
danger, forsook the persecuted apostle. Crescens was sent by Paul
to the churches of Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, Tychicus to Ephesus.
Writing to Timothy of this experience, Paul said, “Only Luke is with
me.”
2 Timothy 4:11
. Never had the apostle needed the ministrations
of his brethren as now, enfeebled as he was by age, toil, and infirmities,
and confined in the damp, dark vaults of a Roman prison. The services
of Luke, the beloved disciple and faithful friend, were a great comfort
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