Chapter 48—Paul Before Nero
When Paul was summoned to appear before the emperor Nero for
trial, it was with the near prospect of certain death. The serious nature
of the crime charged against him, and the prevailing animosity toward
Christians, left little ground for hope of a favorable issue.
Among the Greeks and Romans it was customary to allow an ac-
cused person the privilege of employing an advocate to plead in his
behalf before courts of justice. By force of argument, by impassioned
eloquence, or by entreaties, prayers, and tears, such an advocate often
secured a decision in favor of the prisoner or, failing in this, succeeded
in mitigating the severity of the sentence. But when Paul was sum-
moned before Nero, no man ventured to act as his counsel or advocate;
no friend was at hand even to preserve a record of the charges brought
against him, or of the arguments that he urged in his own defense.
Among the Christians at Rome there was not one who came forward
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to stand by him in that trying hour.
The only reliable record of the occasion is given by Paul himself,
in his second letter to Timothy. “At my first answer,” the apostle wrote,
“no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may
not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me,
and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known,
and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion.”
2 Timothy 4:16, 17
.
Paul before Nero—how striking the contrast! The haughty
monarch before whom the man of God was to answer for his faith,
had reached the height of earthly power, authority, and wealth, as well
as the lowest depths of crime and iniquity. In power and greatness he
stood unrivaled. There were none to question his authority, none to
resist his will. Kings laid their crowns at his feet. Powerful armies
marched at his command, and the ensigns of his navies betokened
victory. His statue was set up in the halls of justice, and the decrees
of senators and the decisions of judges were but the echo of his will.
Millions bowed in obedience to his mandates. The name of Nero
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