保罗最后写下的话 The Final Written Words of Paul

Title: The Final Written Words of Paul
Preacher: Rev. Wong Siow Hwee
Date: 12th Nov 2023

Imagine you have less than a year to live; what legacy would you leave behind? Corrie Ten Boom says: "The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation." That seems like a good way to describe Paul as we look at his final written words. His life was totally sacrificed for the gospel, but it was touching to me because his faith stayed strong even till his final moments.

Based on the final verses of the Book of Acts, we find the great apostle Paul under house arrest in Rome. This was around AD 60-62, a period of relative freedom and comfort, despite his imprisonment. Initially, it seemed like he would live a long life till his departing in peace. It was within these two years that he penned Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, often referred to as the "prison letters." Luke ended by saying that 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:30-31)

Now, you might wonder why Luke didn't tell us more about Paul's life afterwards. Well, Acts isn't just about Paul; it's the story of the gospel, journeying from Jerusalem to Rome. So, the Acts narrative ends with Paul's prison ministry in Rome. But what about Paul's life after his house arrest? To piece together this puzzle, we turn to 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. Various scholars propose different scenarios, but let's consider a likely one.

After his release, Paul and his missionary team probably headed to Crete. After about a year, he left Titus to continue the church's renewal work. Then, he moved on to Ephesus, where Timothy stayed behind to address remaining issues. It was a painful separation, as Paul later mentioned his tears and his longing to see Timothy.

But why did Paul move on instead of settling things first? He promised the churches in his prison letters that he'd visit them. So, he likely travelled to Colossae, and Philippi. We know he also visited Corinth because he mentioned Erastus who was a previous co-worker, but now staying and serving in Corinth. Corinth is possibly the place where he wrote 1 Timothy to encourage Timothy in Ephesus. Then he sent Artemas with the letter Titus to replace him in Crete, so that Titus could rejoin him in the next destination Nicopolis.

So far, it seemed like he had just continued his mission work as per prior to his house arrest. Then in AD 64, a catastrophic event shook the world— the great fire of Rome. 【1】Nero, the emperor, blamed Christians for the fire, leading to a massive empire-wide persecution lasting until AD 68, when Nero died. From then on, it was a race against time for Paul.

Picture this: the aged and resilient apostle Paul, longing to reunite with his dear companion Timothy in Ephesus, embarks on a treacherous journey from Nicopolis, each step heavy with anticipation. The Aegean Sea stretches before him, a vast expanse he must cross to reach his destination—Miletus.

As Paul arrives in Miletus, the stage is set for an intriguing twist. Unbeknownst to Paul, the threat of arrest looms just a few days' travel away in Ephesus. And in this nearby city, a man named Alexander, known as a skilled metalworker, takes center stage as the story's antagonist. Could this be the same Alexander who once witnessed the tumultuous events in Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19:33?

Driven by his own motivations, Alexander makes a fateful choice—to expose Paul as a Christian leader to the Roman authorities. This decision sets in motion a series of events leading to Paul's imminent arrest. The weight of Paul's judgment upon Alexander is profound, echoing in the solemn words: 'The Lord will repay him for what he has done' (2 Timothy 4:14). It's a moment filled with foreboding and the promise of divine justice.

Amid these trials, we uncover the story of Trophimus, a loyal companion who has fallen ill. Our hearts ache for Paul as he must part ways due to his impending arrest. But it's not just the separation that tugs at our emotions; it's the bitter irony that Trophimus, sick and weakened, is left in Miletus, a city located just a stone's throw away from Ephesus. Here, Timothy waits eagerly for Paul's arrival, a mere four-day journey separating them. Can you sense the bittersweet irony in the air?

Now, imagine being with Paul on that fateful journey, just four days away from the much-anticipated reunion with Timothy. A mixture of hope and uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, and Alexander's shadow lingers in the background, foreshadowing a pivotal juncture in the grand narrative of Paul's life.

As we explore these intricacies of Paul's journey and the people who shaped his path, we not only unearth historical events but stories of human connection, unexpected turns, and the unshakable faith that defined Paul's life.

Along the way to Rome, Paul entrusts Carpus with his beloved cloak and cherished scrolls, left behind in the ancient city of Troas. These aren't just any scrolls; they hold the sacred teachings and stories that have illuminated Paul's path throughout his remarkable journey of faith. Paul may have narrowly missed his reunion with Timothy in Ephesus, but he knows one day Timothy will come to see him again, bringing along his stuff left in Troas.

Paul's arrival in Rome was anything but smooth. He faced a trial, which didn't go well this time, probably due to Nero's severe persecution. Paul wasn't abandoned because of a strained relationship with the Roman Church; Roman Christians like Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia were mentioned. It's possible this Linus was the one who later became the 2nd bishop of Rome. Paul understood the struggle they faced and why they deserted him, which he why he said: May it not be held against them (4:16).

Notable was the desertion of Demas, who "loved this world." Some thought he gave up his faith, but it's more likely he was afraid of the same fate as Paul. In describing Rome’s persecution as the lion’s mouth, Paul was in much bigger danger than before. Even Demas, who was with Paul during the 2 years of house arrest, gave up this time. In the end, alone with only the strength of God, Paul was able to postpone immediate execution, but he knew his days were numbered.

In his final days, it appeared as if Paul was settling his affairs and his vast missionary work. He sent Crescens and Titus on missions and Tychicus with 2 Timothy to Ephesus so that Timothy can come to him. Paul also sent greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, his longtime co-workers now in Ephesus. He also greeted the household of Onesiphorus who took pains to visited him in Rome but he might have passed away soon after. In the end, Paul was only left with Luke.

There’s a saying that goes: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” It might seem like Paul was venting about people, but he wasn't. Paul requested Timothy to bring scrolls, especially parchments. 【2】 What's intriguing is his request to "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in my ministry."

This is where it gets fascinating. Imagine Timothy bringing Mark and the scrolls to Paul, with Luke by his side. 【3】They weren't discussing petty matters; they were probably germinating the idea of writing the Gospel of Mark. And later, after further investigation and notes, Luke wrote his Gospel based on Mark's foundation.

Why Mark? Well, he was close to both Paul and Peter. Peter regarded Mark as his interpreter, close like a son. 【4】 Plus, Mark came from a wealthy family with a house used for worship, making him a valuable resource for a massive gospel project. Mark was also the cousin of Barnabas, which would allow his gospel to reach out to many other mission fields when Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways.

Paul's time was running out, and he was soon executed by beheading. In fact, Peter met the same fate that year too. It was urgent that Timothy brought Mark and the scrolls. If you consider the time it takes for a letter to reach Ephesus and the need to cross the sea before winter freezes it, Timothy had to hurry. That's why Paul emphasized, "Do your best," not once, but twice.

And so, we see how the seeds of the Gospels of Mark and Luke might have been sown in the final days of Paul, when great minds discussed powerful ideas, not trivial matters.

In the midst of adversity, the life of the great apostle Paul continues to inspire us to this day. As we conclude this sermon series on a 'Flourishing Life,' we find ourselves not just reflecting on Paul's journey but taking away profound lessons to apply to our own lives.

Paul, confined within the walls of a Roman prison, might seem like an unlikely source of inspiration for a flourishing life. Yet, as we've journeyed through his experiences, we've discovered that flourishing transcends the boundaries of time and circumstances. (活得对，活得好，活得乐)

In his unwavering commitment to righteousness, Paul teaches us the enduring value of a life led right. He reminds us that the pursuit of righteousness, even in the face of persecution, is a crown worth seeking. It's a crown not just reserved for Paul, but for every believer who, like him, stands firm in their faith. Let’s spend a moment reflect if this is your moment before God. Would there be a crown waiting for you? Paul’s life is an encouragement to those of us who are struggling in our ministries. Don’t give up and persevere. That would be a life well led.

Paul's prison was more than just a cell; it was a canvas for his flourishing life. His presence in the company of loved ones—Luke, Mark, and Timothy—teaches us that a life well lived isn't solely determined by living conditions but by the quality of our relationships. As we reflect on our own lives, let us cherish the company of those who stand with us, for they are the true treasures in this earthly journey. Spend time on these relationships. That would be a life well-lived.

Amidst the shadows of uncertainty, Paul's spirit remained unbroken. He faced disappointments, desertions, and the imminent threat of persecution, yet his joy was unshaken. He devoted his final days to securing the future of the gospel, a testament to the enduring joy found in Christ's message. Joy can be found amidst hardship if we know what we are doing is truly meaningful. Have you found what is purposeful for your life? That would be living happily.

As we go from this place today, may we carry with us the wisdom of Paul's flourishing life. Let us embrace righteousness, cultivate deep and meaningful relationships, and find joy in sharing the everlasting gospel with the world. For in doing so, we will not just live long, but we will flourish—flourish in our righteousness, flourish in our companionship, and flourish in our joy.

In closing, I leave you with these words quoted in the begining: 'The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.' May our lives be a donation of righteousness, companionship, and joy to a world in need. And may we flourish, even in the face of adversity, just as Paul did.

Go forth with the conviction that a flourishing life is not just a distant ideal but a tangible reality, within reach for each one of us. Amen.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_Rome
[2] Tom Wright suggested that this could have been an early invention of the book, sheets of paper glued or bound together which could have been documents which later became parts of the New Testament.
[3] Dunn commented, “that two men (Luke and Mark) to whom tradition attributed the writing of two of the four Gospels were close companions of Paul is as intriguing as any of the notes in this section.” Dunn, NIB, vol 11, pg 857
[4] Papias: “Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered, not, indeed, in order, of the things said and done by the Lord.” This explains why Peter regarded Mark as his son in 1 Peter 5:13.

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