First Missionary Journey
Having returned to Antioch from Jerusalem, Paul was joined by Barnabas, and John who was also called Mark. They laboured for a time in the Church at Antioch until the Holy Spirit set them apart for Missionary work establishing churches in Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia Minor. Acts 13:1-2 Paul and Barnabas were especially called and set apart for ministry among the Gentiles.
The setting apart of missionaries was accompanied by fasting and praying and the symbolic laying on of hands to indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit in and upon the ministry of God's servants. They then set out for Asia minor travelling by sea and first stopping at Cyprus.
Cyprus 1st
Paul, Barnabas and John travel to the coastal port of Seleucia and set sail for Salamis on Cyprus. Acts 13:4-12 There was a Jewish synagogue here where Paul began preaching the Gospel. Then they travelled throughout the island of Cyprus preaching as they went. They were opposed by a false prophet and sorcerer, a Jew named Bar-Jesus. This man called for Paul and his companions to preach the Gospel to them but their real purpose was to turn the Proconsul against them. Paul pronounced physical blindness on Elymas the sorcerer and as a result Lucius Sergius Paulus the proconsul at Paphos believed.
Asia Minor 1st
Perga
Next Paul, Barnabas and John set sail for Perga in Asia Minor. Here in Perga John Mark returns home to Jerusalem. The reason is not given but it has been speculated that John was sick and unable to travel on.
Antioch in Pisidia
Paul and Barnabas travelled on to Antioch in Pisidia, not to be confused with Antioch in Syria from where they set out. As was Paul custom he preached in the synagogues declaring Jesus to be the Messiah. A portion of his sermon is recorded in Acts 13:16-41. They were asked back to preach the next Sabbath and almost the entire city showed up to hear him. The Jewish leaders were envious of the crowds and opposed them so Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles. The elect among the gentiles also believed. Acts 13:46-48 However the Jews persisted in stirring up the Jewish people until Paul and Barnabas were driven out of the region.
Iconium
They next came to Iconium and preached in the synagogue where a large number of both Gentiles and Jews believed. There was opposition from the unbelieving Jews who were working to sway the Gentiles who believed, so Paul and Barnabas stayed here for some time to strengthen the brethren. Discovering a plot to stone them, Paul and Barnabas escape to Lystra and Derbe where they began preaching the Gospel.
Lystra
Here Paul healed a cripple and was mistaken for Greek gods. It was during this trip that young Timothy was converted. Acts 16:1; 20:4 Timothy would join Paul and Silas on their second journey. Here Barnabas was mistaken for Zeus the chief God of the city of Lystra, and Paul was identified as the Greek god Hermes (Roman god Mercury). There was a local legend which held that these two gods once visited the region as men and turned a house into a great temple for showing hospitality. This elderly couple may have been looking for a similar blessing from the gods. However Paul and Barnabas make it clear that they are just men and not worthy of worship. Acts 14:8-18 Unbelieving Jews had followed them to Lystra from Antioch and Iconium stirring up the people against Paul and Barnabas. Paul was stoned and dragged outside the city, where he was left for dead.
Derbe
The next day Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the Gospel here and many people believed. They left to return home travelling back the same route they came, strengthening all of the believers along the way. On their return home they also stopped at Attalia where they caught a ship sailing for Antioch. Having completed their first Missionary Journey they return to the Church at Antioch and report how the Gospel had been brought to the gentiles and they had received the word. It took Paul and Barnabas about two years to complete the first missionary journey of Cyprus and Southern Asia Minor.
Jerusalem Council A.D. 49
There was some controversy over the conversion of Gentiles as a result of the increased number being converted and Paul custom of preaching the Gospel directly to them. Some insisted that Gentiles who were converted should be circumcised like the Jews. Paul was concerned that this would lead to some thinking that salvation was earned by works so he along with Barnabas go to Jerusalem to straighten out the matter. Galatians 2:15-16 There is a Church meeting held where the issue is discussed under the leadership of the Apostles and elders present. Acts 15:6,12
James, Simon Peter, Barnabas and Paul all speak and come to an agreement that Gentiles as well as Jews are free from the Jewish ceremonial law. However they must be sensitive to their Jewish Christians and stop eating food sacrificed to idols or strangled and blood. Leviticus 17:10-14; 19:26; 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 The issue of sexual immorality was also raised because this was a problem with many Greeks. Thus the first Church council set forth the practical outworking of relations between Jewish and Greek Christians. The Jews were cautioned against legalism while the Gentiles were cautioned against immorality. Compassion and sensitivity were set over against legalism and hedonism. A letter and two personal witnesses in the person of Judas and Silas are sent back to Antioch to calm the Church there. Acts 14:22-29
Second Missionary Journey
After preaching at the Church in Antioch for some time, Paul felt the need to return to the Churches in Asia Minor and visit the works there to see how they were progressing. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along but Paul would not have him along as he had abandoned them on the first missionary Journey. Barnabas took John Mark and set sail for Cyprus, while Paul took Silas and travelled by land back to the Churches in Asia Minor.
While Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over Mark, it is noteworthy that Paul speaks highly of both Barnabas and Mark latter in his ministry. 1 Corinthians 9:6; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11 Forgiveness and reconciliation were practised.
Asia Minor 2nd
Derbe, Lystra and Iconium
Upon arriving in Derbe Paul and Silas pick up another companion by the name of Timothy. Not wanting to offend the Jews on their ministry, Paul had Timothy circumcised because he had a Greek father. Acts 16:1-3 In all the churches they announced the decision reached at the Jerusalem Council and gave instruction regarding the decrees formulated to relieve tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, thereby strengthening the Churches in the Christian faith.
Troas
They had a desire to preach the Gospel in Bithynia to the north but were not permitted by the Holy Spirit. Why they were not permitted to go to Bithynia is not known, some speculate that one of the other Apostles was ministering there. They passed through Phrygia and Mysia to arrive at Troas. During the night Paul had a vision to go over to Macedonia and minister there. Acts 16:8-9 It is here in Acts that the third person pronoun changes to the first person pronoun 'we'. Luke who is the author of Acts now joins Paul's missionary labours and includes himself in the description. Luke may have been the Physician in Troas.
Macedonia
Philippi
From Troas they cross the Aegean Sea to land at Neapolis and immediately go on to Philippi. This was a leading military post and there are many military terms used in his letter to the Philippians. Philippians 1:27; 2:25; 4:7 There were not many Jews here as Paul had to seek out Jewish worshippers and found a few women gathered at the river. Jewish law prescribes that wherever ten Jewish men who are heads of households reside, there a meeting place for the study of the law was to be built. But they met on the river banks indicating there were not ten Jewish families. Lydia is converted here. Acts 16:14-15 The Church in Philippi gave Paul the most satisfaction and the least problems of all the Churches in his care.
Here a fortune teller followed Paul all over saying 'These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.' Acts 16:17 Paul did not want satanic advertising and when he cast out the evil spirits from her, her owner became angry at the loss of business and stirred up the local authorities to have Paul and Silas thrown in jail, beaten and chained. At midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God, when a great earthquake shook the jail and opened the door to the jail and shook off all their chains. When morning came the guards drew their swords to kill themselves because they had thought the prisoners had escaped. Paul prevented them from taking their own life and as a result were converted to Christ. Then the roman authorities apologised for having beaten Roman Citizens as criminals and let them go.
Luke may have stayed behind in Philippi, because the personal pronoun in the narrative returns to the third person.
Thessalonica
See Background to Thessalonians
Paul and his companions travelled by Amphipolis and Apollonia to come to the city of Thessalonica a distance of about 55 miles. Here in Thessalonica they were able to successfully preach in the synagogue for three weeks before the Jews started a riot. The people of Thessalonica rushed Paul and Silas away at night to Berea. From the first letter to the Thessalonians it is known that Paul's words were received by some even in spite of severe opposition. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 13-20 Paul may have worked while he was here so as not to be a burden to the believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:9
Berea
Again upon arriving in Berea, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue to preach. The great concern of the Bereans was the Scriptures and not Paul's methods or ways. But the Jews of Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the mobs against him so Paul fled the city. But this opposition was only partially successful for Silas and Timothy were able to remain to carry on the ministry in the city. Acts 17:11-14 They were to join up with Paul latter.
Achaia
Athens
While he was waiting for Silas and Timothy he was stirred by the rampant idolatry of Athens. He was compelled to speak in the synagogue as well as the marketplace on a regular basis. Then some Epicurean and stoic philosophers led him away in jest to Areapagos the hill or court of the god Ares the Greek god of War (Roman god Mars). Their Job was supervision of school education as well as overseeing the visiting lecturers. Paul was asked to speak before them, more to inquire of his teaching than anything. Paul spoke of several things.
- the futility of Idolatry
- the revelation of God in nature
- the universality of Judgment
- the progressive unfolding of God's redemptive program
- the Climax of redemption in the resurrection
Results from this exercise were few. Dionysius and Damaris were converted but no Church seems to be have been planted here. Paul does say that he desired to visit the Thessalonians from Athens but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Some understand this reference to Paul being sick.
Corinth
See Background to Corinthians
Leaving Athens, Paul arrived alone at Corinth 'in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.' 1 Corinthians 2:3 He stays with Aquila and Priscilla a Jewish couple who were recently banished from Rome by the Edict of Claudisu in A.D. 49. He ordered the expulsion of all Jews from the Capital because of disruptions within the Jewish community over a certain CHRESTUS (Christ?). They were tent-makers and so he worked with them during the week and preached in the synagogue every Sabbath. Acts 18:1-4 He stayed here in Corinth about a year and a half.
Shortly after Paul's arrival, Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth from Macedonia bringing a report on Thessalonica 1 Thessalonians 3:6, and money from Philippi. 2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 4:14-15 There was also a report of slander outside the Church. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 The offering that was sent made it possible for Paul to minister full time.
Letter to Thessalonica
Because of the report from Timothy Paul writes to the Thessalonians and
Commends their zeal
Encourage them in Persecution
Defend himself against attacks
Teach them about Holiness
Instruct them on the Second Coming
Exhort them to steadfastness and patience.
Some time later when he learned they were still confused about the second coming he wrote his second letter. A.D. 50-51
Paul made his headquarters in the home of Titus Justus next to the local synagogue. The first convert was the ruler of the synagogue, by the name of Crispus. While Paul baptised Crispus and Gaius he did not baptise many 'Lest any should say that I had baptised in mine own name.' 1 Corinthians 1:14-15
When the Jews complained to Gallio the Roman Proconsul of Achaia, he dismissed their arguments as only a disagreement among Jews. Paul then was given a free hand to continue his preaching unhindered in Corinth. He stayed here eighteen months.
A Latin inscription found at Delphi puts it beyond doubt that Gallio was proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 52 and that probably he began his two year term of office in July A.D. 51.
Ephesus
As the Party left Corinth for the trip to Syria, the Missionary party was accompanied by Aquilla and Priscilla as far as Ephesus. The Ephesians wanted Paul to stay with them for awhile but Paul wanted to keep the Passover feast in Jerusalem so promised to return. This promise was one of the reasons for his third missionary journey. Leaving Ephesus by boat they eventually landed at Caesarea. Paul went to Jerusalem to greet the Christians there then went back to his headquarters at Antioch in Syria where he spent several months no doubt resting and preaching.
Third Missionary Journey
A year before, Paul had visited Ephesus and found a ready reception to the Word. Now he wanted to return for an extended visit. This Missionary journey centred around this trip to ephesus and lasted from approximatley A.D. 53-58. After revisiting the churches of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch they arrived at Ephesus.
Asia Miinor 3rd
Ephesus
The life of the people here was affected by two important assets. First it was an important trade centre and sea port on the Aegean Sea. But they were having problems about this time with silt in the harbour. Efforts had repeatedly been made to improve the harbor, and in A.D. 65 a large scale attempt was undertaken, but the effors were unsuccessful. So the commercial trade of the city began to suffer. Another plan was developed to attract visitors and revenue.
One of the seven wonders of the world was located here in the temple of Diana (goddess of fertility). Now people would visit and depend upon a tourist trade. When Paul arrived people were becoming disillusioned with their commercial trade and turning more and more to the temple for support of their economy.
On reaching Ephesus, Paul met twelve men who had been baptised 'into John's baptism' but who gave no evidence of being truly Christian. When they heard the Gospel they were baptised 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.' They were probably a sect within the Ephesian Church. They saw John the Baptist as the final manifestation of God's Revelation even higher than Jesus.
Now Apollos seems to have been connected with these sectarians but did acknowledge the superiority of Christ. He had been taught accurately and only needed Aquila and Priscilla to teach him more accurately.
The ministry of Paul in Ephesus lasted about three years but is only recorded in chapter 19 of Acts. He was able to teach in the synagogue for three months, then moved to the lecture hall of Tyrannous, where he continued his preaching for another two years. Then after sending Timothy and Erastus as his messengers to Macedonia and Achaia, Paul stayed a little longer in Ephesus. At the end a riot broke out against him as the Gospel had turned many away from the idolatry of the Artemis Cult, resulting in a decrease in revenue. Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths had a profitable business in making statuettes of the goddess for the tourist trade, but when Paul's message began to touch their pocketbooks, they attempted to instigate a revival in Artemis and turn the people against Christianity.
Letter to Corinth
While at Ephesus Paul wrote a letter to the Christian of Corinth on the subject of separation from the ungodly. 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 the letter is no longer around but from his second letter (1 Corinthians) we know that it dealt with severe problems of Christian practices and divisions in the Church. The problems at Corinth was Paul's authority and criticism of his doctrine and so he was forced to make a painful visit to the city in an attempt to settle matters within the Church. 2 Corinthians 2:1; 12:14; 13:1; 2 Corinthians 10:1 seems to suggest that this was unsuccessful because his opponents mocked him by being humble when face to face with him, but bold when away.
Troas
Paul decides to go to Troas where he hoped to hear from Timothy about conditions at Corinth. When there was no word he moved on to Macedonia.
Macedonia 3rd
Philippi
Here Timothy brought the report Paul was waiting for and in reply Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. Another concern during Paul's third missionary Journey was the gathering of a collection of money for the relief of the poor believers in Jerusalem so he appropriately instructed the Gentile Churches in Galatia, Asia, Macedonia and Achaia to give toward their need. This would again help to strengthen and unify the Gentile and Jewish Christians.
Achai
Corinth
After spending some time in the Macedonian Church Paul went on to Corinth where he stayed about three months. Acts 20:2-3 It raises our curiosity as to what took place here during this time in Corinth especially in light of the three letters Paul wrote to the Church but Acts is silent on the matter.
Letter to the Romans
It was while Paul was in Corinth that he wrote to the Christians in Rome. Romans 15:17-33 The Greek world had been evangelised, now Paul desired to evangelise the Latin World - even as far away as Spain. Romans 15:24 He probably wished to use the Roman Church as His home base as he had done with Antioch in Syria. But instead of leaving immediately for Rome and Spain he felt that he should personally accompany the contribution of the Gentile Churches back to Jerusalem. So to prepare the Roman Church for his intended coming he wrote to them the formal and instructive letter of Romans. The letter is more a comprehensive exposition of the Gospel than a letter.
A plot to kill Paul arose among the Jews as he was preparing to sail for Syria, so he redirected his trip back through Macedonia by land. He was accompanied by representatives from each of the Gentile Churches. Acts 20:4-5
| Representative | Church |
| Sopater | Berea |
| Aristachus | Thessalonica |
| Secundus | Thessalonica |
| Gaius | Derbe |
| Timothy | Lystra |
| Tychicus | Asian Churches |
| Trophimus | Asian Churches |
| Luke | Philippi |
| Paul | Corinth |
Asia minor
Troas
Paul celebrated the Passover while everyone else went on to Troas. Acts 20:5-6 Later in Troas Paul had the Lord's Supper at Midnight and preached until morning. One young man Eutychus fell out of the third floor window, when he fell asleep on the ledge. Acts 20:6-12
Ephesus
Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and so he had to sail as fast as possible around Asia Minor without visiting the Churches again. But he did stop at Ephesus and call the elders together to say goodbye and exhort them in the faith. Acts 20:17-38 It was a sorrowful departure.
From Ephesus Paul sailed to Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, Ptolemais and Caesarea.
Imprisoments
Imprisonment in Jerusalem
Upon arriving in Jerusalem the Christians there rejoiced as they heard what God was doing among the Gentiles. Acts 21:17 Having been warned and urged not to go to Jerusalem because it was dangerous yet to maintain the unity among Jews and Gentile Christians Paul was prepared to offer himself as a sacrifice. Acts 21:4; 14
At a meeting in Jerusalem, James and the elders were concerned about the reaction of many Jewish believers in Jerusalem to Paul's presence. Some had heard that Paul had taught the Jews in other cities to forsake the law. The Jerusalem Church was more given to ritual and strict observance of the law. And though James and the Jerusalem Apostles never went on record as favouring such a development, they seem to have been hard pressed to control it. So they suggested to Paul that in order to suppress the rumours, that he show publicly his respect for Jewish customs by joining in the temple rites of Nazarite purification with four Jewish Christians and by paying the expenses for the five of them. He agreed to this because while insisting that Gentile believers were free from the Jewish customs and laws, he found no problem with Jewish Christians who chose to express their faith in this way. Acts 21:20-26
But this plan was unsuccessful, probably because nothing could really heal the minds who were deeply prejudiced against him. When some Jews saw Paul in the Temple they became very angry and started a riot. They claimed that Paul had brought Trophimus a Gentile representative from Ephesus into the court of Israel. Paul would probably have been killed had it not been for the intervention of the Roman Tribune, Claudisu Lysias and his soldiers stationed across from the temple. So the crowds gathered and chanted, 'Away with him.' Acts 21:27-36
As he was being taken away Paul asked permission to speak to the crowd. This he was granted seeing him to be an able and earnest speaker. They listened until he spoke of being a minister to the Gentiles and then another riot broke out. At this point the soldiers rushed Paul into the garrison and gave orders that he should be examined while beaten to get to the bottom of this outbreak. But Paul appealed to his Roman Citizenship and was spared the scourge.
Imprisonment in Caesarea
The next day Paul was brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin to see what the Jews had against this man. But they could not come to any agreement because Paul divided his enemies. So Paul was returned to the Antonian castle. After a plot was discovered to kill Paul, the tribune sent Paul by night under heavy guard to Caesarea, where in the custody of the Roman Procurator Felix he would be safe from the local mob and examined safely. After several hearings before Felix, he confined Paul to Herod's prison in Caesarea for two full years, even though he had freedom of movement within his place of confinement. He could also have visitors. Acts 24:1-27
Then Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. The Jews now appeal to the new Roman procurator to have Paul returned to Jerusalem for trial under Jewish courts. He told the Jews to come to Caesarea but when they arrived their charges were proved empty. Acts 25:1-8
But to compromise Festus asked if Paul would like to go to Jerusalem and be tried in order to please the Jews. His situation in Palestine was going from bad to worse caught as he was between Jewish Hatred and Roman indecision, and to argue his case in person in Caesar's court would provide him with an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel before the most exalted audience in the world. When Herod Agrippa II came to welcome Festus. He asked Herod what charges he could use to send Paul to Caesar.
When Paul spoke to king Agrippa he delivered one of his most famous addresses. Acts 26:1-23 Festus thought Paul was mad. Agrippa wondered if Paul was trying to convert him. But they both agreed that justice would demand Paul's release but Paul had appealed to Caesar and so had to go to Rome.
Trip to Rome
Luke and Timothy probably sailed with Paul to Rome. They encountered a storm and shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Acts 27:9-28:10 Setting out again the next spring in another vessel, Paul had his captors finally landed at Puteoli, in the bay of Naples. They stayed with Christians seven days then went by land to Rome. A group of Christians from Rome came out and met them along the Appian Way. Acts 28:14-15
Paul was in Rome at last, fulfilling his great desire to visit the capital of the empire. But he was still a prisoner under house arrest and chained to a soldier. Yet he was free to receive visitors and carried on an effective ministry through messengers. Acts 28:17-31
One person he met while in prison was Epaphras. It is thought that he founded the Church in Colossae. Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13 While visiting Paul he tells of the Colossians faith and love but also of a heresy threatening to pervert the Gospel. So he wrote the letter of Colossians sending it by Tychicus in the company of Onesimus about A.D. 60 or early 61. Onesimus would also return with the letter to Philemon. Another individual Paul met while under house arrest was Epaphroditus. He had arrived from the Philippians with an offering for Paul. Paul took the opportunity to write to the Philippian Church and thank them for the gift. Philippians 4:10-14 Philippians was written around A.D. 62 toward the end of his imprisonment. Philippians 1:20; 2:24
Paul was held for two full years in Rome which was the period of time prescribed by Roman Law as the limit a prisoner might be held after appeal to the emperor's court if they are not prosecuted. At this point the book of acts comes to an end. Luke does not give any further details regarding the life of Paul. It may seem that two years of imprisonment in Rome would be wasted time but it was here that Paul wrote to the Philippians in which he says
'But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.' Philippians 1:12-14
Fourth Missionary Journey
Paul was probably released from prison in A.D.63 because after July 19-24 of A.D. 64 the city of Rome was burned. Where did he go after his release? Where he went is not known with certainty. However from the pastoral epistles there have been some conclusions drawn. What follows is only a possible combination of events.
Immediately following his release from prison Paul sends Timothy to Philippi with the good news. Philippians 2:19-23
Paul himself starts on his journey toward Asia Minor and on the way Leaves Titus on the island of Crete to bring to completion the organisation of the Church which had been established there. Acts 2:11; Titus 1:5
The apostle arrives at Ephesus, then reaches Colossae just as he had intended and returns to Ephesus. Philemon 22
At Ephesus Paul is joined by Timothy who brings news from the congregation at Philippi. When Paul leaves he asks Timothy to remain at Ephesus which was in need of his ministry.
Paul himself goes to Macedonia, as he had planned. Philippians 2:24; 1 Timothy 1:3 He hopes to return to Ephesus shortly, but rather expects that his absence may be prolonged. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 From Macedonia he writes two letters which are closely related 1 Timothy and Titus. In his letter to Titus he requests that Titus meet him at Nicopolis. Titus 3:12
Paul travels to Nicopolis, located on the east coast of the Ionian Sea. He spends the winter and is joined by Titus. Titus 3:12
Paul journeys to Spain. Romans 15:24
Returning from Spain, Paul moves on to Asia Minor and leaves Trophimus sick at Miletus, south of Ephesus. 2 Timothy 4:20
At Troas he visits Carpus, where he leaves his cloak. 2 Timothy 4:13 He travels to Rome by way of Corinth where Erastus stayed. 2 Timothy 4:20 Somewhere during this time Paul is reasserted.
Nero is reigning during this period. This is the emperor who had murdered his step-brother, his own mother, his wife Octavia, his teacher Seneca and many others. When Rome burned in A.D. 64, the people accused Nero of setting it himself. Nero tried to turn the attention off himself by blaming the Christians.
When Paul returned from Spain things had changed. He no longer enjoyed a measure of political protection. His second Roman imprisonment is severe and brief. 2 Timothy 1:16-17; 2:9 Luke is his only companion. Demas had forsaken him, following after the things of the world. He left for Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia or Gaul. Titus went to Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4:10-11
Paul urged Timothy to come to him quickly and bring John Mark. These events are drawn from 2 Timothy which was written when death was already close to Paul. 2 Timothy 4:6-11 He is condemned to death and beheaded on the Ostian Way about three miles outside of Rome. It is not known if Timothy and Mark reached him before his death. Paul's final words in 2 Timothy present a note of great confidence in God and praise.
'For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.... And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.' 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18
Whether Paul accomplished all he wished to is not known with any amount of certainty. However in a letter by Clement of Rome to the Corinthians written about A.D. 96, Clement states
'By reason of jealousy and strife, Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance. After that he had been seven times in bonds, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, had preached in the East and in the West, he won the noble renown which was the reward of his faith, having taught righteousness unto the whole world, and having reached the farthest bounds of the West and when he had done his testimony before the rulers, so he departed from the world and went unto the holy place, having been found a notable pattern of patient endurance.' 1 Clement 5