Acts 28:11-31
It must have been a happy hour for Paul when he saw Rome and entered the gates. For a long time he had earnestly wished to preach the gospel there. He came, however, not as a free man, but as a prisoner. Yet this was really favourable, for he was under the protection of the Roman Government and free from Jewish persecution – much more free to preach than if he had gone there merely as a missionary. His prison was not a dungeon – he “was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.” He was treated kindly, with as little restraint as possible. He was secured by a slight chain round the right wrist to the left wrist of a soldier, but was allowed to be at large within the palace, or even, if he could afford it, to hire lodging for himself outside. His prison became a centre of influence for good, a place to which people were constantly coming.
“After three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together.” Paul lost no time. As soon as he was settled in his new lodgings he began his work. Some good people waste a great deal of time in waiting before taking up their duties. They loiter over their tasks. They put things off. They let golden days and hours pass unimproved. It is very important to learn how to use time so as not to waste it. For one thing we need an earnest purpose in the heart, and Paul carried a burning fire in his bosom, the love of Christ, which impelled him to instant and strenuous service. He had a message to men and he could not rest until he had delivered it.
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