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Sketches from the Life of Paul
danger that threatened those for whom he had labored so earnestly, and
he sought as far as possible to supply by written communications the
place of his personal instruction. He also sent out authorized delegates
to labor among the churches he had raised up, and also in fields which
he had not visited. These messengers rendered him faithful service,
and being in communication with them, he was informed concerning
the condition and dangers of the churches, and was enabled to exercise
a constant supervision over them.
Thus while apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a
wider and more lasting influence than he could have exerted had he
been free to travel among the churches as in former years. As a prisoner
of the Lord, he had a firmer hold upon the affections of his brethren in
the faith, and his words commanded even greater attention and respect
than when he was personally with them. When they first learned
that their beloved teacher had been made a prisoner, they mourned
and would not be comforted. Not until he was removed from them,
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did they realize how heavy were the burdens which he had borne in
their behalf. Heretofore they had largely excused themselves from
responsibility and burden-bearing because they lacked his wisdom,
tact, and indomitable energy; and now, left in their inexperience to
learn the lessons they had shunned, and feeling that they were never
more to be benefited by the apostle’s labors, they prized the warning,
counsel, and instruction which he sent them, as they had never before
prized his teachings. And as they learned of his courage, faith, and
meekness in his long imprisonment, they also were stimulated to
greater fidelity and zeal in the cause of Christ.
Among the assistants of Paul in his labors were many of his former
companions and fellow-workers. Luke, “the beloved physician,” who
had attended him in the journey to Jerusalem, through the two years’
imprisonment at Caesarea, and upon his last perilous voyage, was with
him still. Timothy also ministered to his comfort. Tychicus was his
mail-bearer, taking his messages to the different churches which they
had visited together. Demas and Mark also were with him.
Mark had once been refused by Paul as unworthy to accompany
him, because, when his help was much needed, he had left the apostle
and returned to his home. He saw that, as Paul’s companion, his life
must be one of constant toil, anxiety, and self-denial; and he desired
an easier path. This led the apostle to feel that he could not be trusted,