2. THE RESIDENCE IN ROME. Paul was treated in Rome with the utmost leniency. He was allowed to hire a house or a lodging in the city, and live there at his own convenience under the surveillance of a soldier who was responsible for his presence when required. A light chain fastened Paul's wrist to that of the soldier. No hindrance was offered to his inviting friends into his house, or to his preaching to all who came in to him ; but he was not allowed to go out freely.
After the depression of spirit in which Paul entered Rome, Acts concludes with a distinct implication of easier and more hopeful circumstances. His work went on unimpeded, while the rest after the fatigue and hard- ships of the voyage would be beneficial to his physical health (even though September might afterwards prove unhealthy) ; and thus the two chief reasons for his gloomy frame of mind on landing in Italy were removed. He regarded himself as " an ambassador in a chain " {Epk. VI 20) ; he asked for the prayers of the Colossians and the Asian Churches generally for his success in preaching ; his tone is hopeful and full of energy and spirit for the work (/. c, Col. IV 3, 4) ; and he looked forward to acquittal and a visit to Colossai (Philem. 22). We may date these letters to Philemon, to Colossai, and to the Asian Churches generally (Eph.) near the middle of the long imprisonment ; an accurate date is impossible, but for brevity's sake we may speak of their date as early in 61.
350 St. Paul in Rome. Chap. XV.
The presence of many friends in Rome also cheered Paul. He had been permitted to take two personal attendants with him from Caesareia ; but though his other companions in Jerusalem were prevented from accompanying him in his voyage, some of them followed him to Rome. Timothy was with him during great part of his imprisonment, was sent on a mission to Philippi about the end of 61 {Phil. II 19), and thereafter seems to have had his headquarters in Asia, whence he was summoned by Paul to join him during his second imprisonment Tychicus also joined Paul in Rome in 60, and was sent on a mission to Asia, and especially to the Churches of the Lycos valley, early in 61. They probably left Caesareia when Paul sailed for Rome, visited on the way their own homes, and arrived in Rome not long after Paul himself.
Moreover, Mark, who had become reconciled with Paul (probably during his residence at Jerusalem, or his imprisonment in Caesareia), came also to Rome. He left Rome in 61, contemplating an extended tour in the province Asia, in the course of which he would probably visit Colossai. Oral instructions had been already sent to the Colossians, and, doubtless, other Pauline Churches (probably by Onesimus and Tychicus), to welcome him as Paul's deputy ; and Paul writes to the Colossians a formal recommendation of him (IV 10). The terms in which Paul speaks suggest that he had not taken any active interest in the new Pauline Churches since the unfortunate quarrel in Pamphylia, and that there was likely to be some coldness towards him among the Pauline Christians. From this year, apparently, began a new era in Mark's life. His work
Sec. 2. The Residence in Rome.
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seems to have lain in Asia during the next few years, for about the close of his life Paul bids Timothy (IV n) bring Mark with him to Rome, implying that they were near each other ; and Timothy was in Ephesus at the time. Probably Paul had been informed of Mark's desire to rejoin him in his troubles. At a later date Mark is associated with the greeting of I Peter V 13 to the Churches of the provinces of Asia Minor, in such a way as. to imply personal acquaintance with them ; and this wide range of work, though not easily reconcilable with the earlier dates assigned to that Epistle, suits naturally and well the date about 80 {Church in R. E., p. 280 f.). On this view Mark after Paul's death must have devoted himself to work in the more easterly provinces of Asia Minor ; and returned to Rome ten or twelve years later.