Under these circumstances, the Jews at Rome were anxious to hear from St. Paul's own mouth, a true account of the doctrines which he taught. The Apostle was only too glad of having such an opportunity of explaining the truths of the Gospel to the Jews.
"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening,"—that is, he showed them from what had been said both by Moses and the prophets, that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah, promised to faithful Abraham, as the Son or Seed in Whom all nations of the earth should be blessed. For one whole day, from morning till evening, did the Apostle argue with these Jews, trying to persuade them to become followers of Jesus: with some he succeeded; with some he failed: for St. Luke says, "And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word." This "one word" of which St. Luke speaks, was a quotation from the writings of the prophet Isaiah, showing them, that by their obstinate refusal to believe the Word of God, they put themselves amongst the number of those, who would be left in their own wilful blindness: and that the Gospel, or words of Salvation, would be preached to the Gentiles, and that they would be far more willing to receive it, than the Jews had ever been. The Apostle's speech, or "one word," addressed to these unbelieving Jews, was, "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it."
We have read the words which St. Paul spake to the unbelieving Jews, "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves." Whether their "reasoning," or talking together, led to the conversion of any of them, we do not know. Nor are we told of any trial of St. Paul taking place, either before the Emperor himself, or by persons appointed by him: all that we do know is, that "Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." This shows that St. Paul enjoyed a great deal of liberty, although he was still considered as a prisoner, and could not leave Rome.
During these two years, St. Paul, besides preaching to all who would hear him, wrote Epistles to the Ephesians; Philippians, or inhabitants of Philippi; to the Colossians, or people of Colossé, in Asia Minor; and one to Philemon, a rich man of Colossé. In these Epistles he speaks of himself as a "prisoner," and mentions his "bonds."
You will remember all that happened at Ephesus, and how long St. Paul remained there at one time; and how on another occasion he sent for the elders to Miletus, and took leave of them, knowing that he should see them again no more. That was three years before the time of which we are now speaking: but St. Paul had not forgotten them, and therefore, in the year 61 (a.d.), he, being a prisoner at Rome, wrote an Epistle, or Letter, to the Christians at Ephesus. In this Epistle, the Apostle speaks to the Ephesians of the great mercy shown by God to the Gentiles (amongst whom they themselves were), in allowing them to share the blessings of the Gospel, without being required to keep the Law of Moses. In return for such great mercy, St. Paul entreats the Ephesians to show their gratitude by their conduct, and to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called. "Vocation" means calling, profession, employment, state, or condition: they were called to be Christians; their profession was that they were His servants; their employment ought to be doing the Will of God: by the atonement of Jesus, they had been brought into a state or condition for obtaining salvation, and now they must try to walk worthy of their vocation: leading in all things such a life as was expected from the followers of the Holy Jesus, who are bound to follow His example to the extent of their powers. What St. Paul said on this subject, equally applies to us; for our vocation is the same as that of the Ephesians, and we must strive hard to work worthy of it, that is, to be good Christians. In this Epistle, many particular rules are given for the conduct of Christians; one of which is, "Children, obey your parents." St. Paul had, as we have read, established during his second journey a Church, or company of believers, at Philippi, in Macedonia. We shall remember how Lydia showed her gratitude to St. Paul, and how the imprisonment of him and Silas, led to the conversion of the jailor, who became a true believer in Jesus.
During his Third Journey, St. Paul again went into Macedonia, after the riot at Ephesus, and then he visited Philippi once more. The Philippians, grateful to God for the gift of the holy Gospel received through St. Paul, were anxious to do whatever they could for the Apostle; and whilst he was preaching at Thessalonica, the chief town in their part of the country, the Christians of Philippi, who were but a small company, twice sent money to St. Paul, that the success of his teaching might be in no way hindered, by his having to depend upon the Thessalonians for the supply of his temporal wants. They did the same thing again whilst St. Paul was at Corinth; and now, hearing that he was in confinement at Rome, they feared that he might be badly off for food and other necessary things. A collection was therefore made amongst the Christians at Philippi, and the sum thus collected was sent to Rome by Epaphroditus, one of their Pastors, or Ministers.
St Paul was truly thankful for this timely supply; for before Epaphroditus came, he really had been in great want of necessaries: he could not work at his trade of tent-making now he was a prisoner, and he did not think it advisable to ask assistance from the Christians at Rome.
Epaphroditus stayed at Rome for several months; and during the time he became extremely ill. After he got well again, St. Paul sent him back to Philippi: and by him, he sent an Epistle, which he had written to thank the Philippians for their thoughtful care of him in his time of need. In this Epistle, also, the Apostle begs the Christians of Philippi not to listen to false teachers, who tried to draw them away from the truth as he had taught it to them; but to try to obey the Lord in all things, and continue to love each other. As usual in all his Epistles, St. Paul gives the Philippians much good advice and many holy precepts: he also speaks much of Jesus Christ, and of the necessity of loving Him, and following His example.