Timotheus came to him, "his own son in the faith" and Epaphroditus," a brother and companion in labour and fellow-soldier," who brought from Macedonia a token of affection from the Philippian brethren.* In this manner "his God supplied all his need:" he "had all, and abounded," through the kindness and gratitude of those to whom he had ministered blessings which no price could repay. But though he wanted not comfort from without, his chief comfort was within. All was safe and peaceful there. He had made up his mind to "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus :"5 to seek as his sole dependence the righteousness which is by faith of Jesus Christ." And in this confidence he could rest secure. "To live was Christ, to die was gain." 6 "Not as though he had already attained, either were already perfect:" he knew that as long as he continued in the flesh, he must be still" reaching forth unto those things that are before, pressing on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Still this was no labour or sorrow to him: it left him in full enjoyment of the assurance which belonged to his faith. "He knew in whom he had believed: and that he was able to keep what he had committed to him unto the great day." 8 4 Philip. ii. 19; iv. 18. 5 Ib. iii. 8. 7 Ib. iii. 12-14. 6 Ib. i. 21. 8 2 Tim. i. 12. A further comfort was derived him through the success which was granted to that cause on which his heart was fixed. "Many of the brethren waxing confident by his bonds," gaining courage from his example, "became much more bold to speak the word without fear.”1 So that the truths of the gospel pervaded both the highest and the lowest stations. They reached the fugitive Onesimus, who had been slave to Philemon at Colosse, and had fled from his service to Rome. He, being converted to the faith, returned again to Philemon, not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved." 2 Then the same truth which stooped to the fugitive slave, climbed also to the imperial palace. So God ordered it. The apostle comforts the Philippians under the thoughts of the durance in which he was held, by giving them to "understand that the things which had happened to him had fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel: so that his bonds in Christ were manifest in all the palace, and in all other places." The cause for which he suffered had become known, the Saviour whom he proclaimed had been received: and when he sends his salutation to the distant brethren from those at Rome, he especially mentions "the saints of Cæsar's household."4 "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed," during the two whole years when Paul dwelt in his own hired house, and received all that came unto him, preaching the kingdom of God. All along he had entertained a confidence that he should be preserved through the present danger to further service. "I trust in the Lord," he had written to the Philippians, "that I myself also shall come shortly." And again to Philemon: "I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." 5 So it proved; no one seems to have appeared against him and after five years confinement he found himself once more at liberty: able to enjoy what he had so earnestly longed for, the sight of his beloved churches once more. At length he returned to Rome," "always abounding in the work of the Lord." And now the time arrived, when he should cease from his labours, and his works should follow him. He was called to give account before the Emperor Nero of the new and strange doctrine which he was teaching: and so evident was the danger, that no one dared to "stand with him. All men forsook him." Only He remained, "who is closer than a brother."7 "The Lord stood by him, and strengthened him." 5 Acts ii. 24; Phil. 24. 6 After an interval of uncertain duration, of which " we know scarcely anything." See Burton, Lect. ix. The fact of the book of Acts closing its history with these two years, seems conclusive proof that Luke composed, or rather finished it, at this period of time.—Id. p. 275. 7 Prov. xviii. 24. 8 For the moment," he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." But as he foresaw, whilst writing the account to Timothy, the delay was not for long the season was near when he must seal with his blood the testimony which he had so long given. For this he was fully prepared. Many years before he had said, "I am ready, not to be be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the sake of the Lord Jesus." Longer experience had not made him less ready to do or to suffer for the Master whom he served. We possess his parting words: "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." 9 Thus, like the prophet before him,' who, taken himself from his earthly trials, cast down his mantle to encourage his successor: so has Paul, in his last recorded sentiments, left for others the comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God. A crown of glory was prepared for him. But not for him only, the apostle in labours most abundant, in grace above measure: but for all them also that "love the Lord's appearing:" for all the faithful brethren in every age and country, whose 8 2 Tim. iv. 16. 1 9 Ib. iv. 6-8. See 2 Kings ii. 12, 13. K K |