Chapter 50—Condemned to Die
During Paul’s final trial before Nero, the emperor had been so
strongly impressed with the force of the apostle’s words that he de-
ferred the decision of the case, neither acquitting nor condemning
the accused servant of God. But the emperor’s malice against Paul
soon returned. Exasperated by his inability to check the spread of the
Christian religion, even in the imperial household, he determined that
as soon as a plausible pretext could be found, the apostle should be
put to death. Not long afterward Nero pronounced the decision that
condemned Paul to a martyr’s death. Inasmuch as a Roman citizen
could not be subjected to torture, he was sentenced to be beheaded.
Paul was taken in a private manner to the place of execution. Few
spectators were allowed to be present; for his persecutors, alarmed
at the extent of his influence, feared that converts might be won to
Christianity by the scenes of his death. But even the hardened soldiers
who attended him listened to his words and with amazement saw
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him cheerful and even joyous in the prospect of death. To some who
witnessed his martyrdom, his spirit of forgiveness toward his murderers
and his unwavering confidence in Christ till the last, proved a savor
of life unto life. More than one accepted the Saviour whom Paul
preached, and erelong fearlessly sealed their faith with their blood.
Until his latest hour the life of Paul testified to the truth of his
words to the Corinthians: “God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power
may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the
body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be
made manifest in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-10
. His sufficiency was
not in himself, but in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit that
filled his soul and brought every thought into subjection to the will of
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