Amid the general tone of hopefulness and confidence in Philippians, there are some touches of depression, which may be attributed to the absence of so many intimate friends, to the increased strain that the trial now proceeding must have put on his powers (p. 94 f.), and to the probable closer confinement necessitated by
Sec 4. The Trial. 359
the trial, that he might always be accessible in case of need. There is more eagerness for the issue of the long proceedings manifest in Phil, than in the other letters from Rome ; but it fs part of human nature to be more patient when the end is still far off, and more excited and eager as the end approaches.
The letter to Philippi was not called forth by any dangerous crisis there, as were the letters to Colossai and to the Asian Churches generally (Eph.). Hence Col. and Eph. "exhibit a more advanced stage in the development of the Church" than Phil. Lightfoot and others are indubitably right in that point ; but their inference that Phil, was written earlier than the others does not follow. The tone of Col. and Eph. is deter- mined by the circumstances of the Churches addressed. The great cities of Asia were on the highway of the world, which traversed the Lycos valley, and in them development took place with great rapidity. But the Macedonians were a simple-minded people in com- parison with Ephesus and Laodiceia and Colossai, living further away from the great movements of thought. It was not in Paul's way to send to Philippi an elaborate treatise against a subtle speculative heresy, which had never affected that Church. His letter was called forth by the gifts which had been sent by the Philippians ; it is a recognition of their thoughtful kindness ; and hence it has a marked character, being " the noblest reflection of St. Paul's personal character and spiritual illumination, his large sympathies, his womanly tenderness, his deli- cate courtesy" (to use once more the words of Lightfoot). It is plain that he did not actually need the help that they now sent; but his gratitude is as warm and
360 Si. Paul in Rome. Chap. XV.
genuine as if he had been in deep need, and he recurs to the former occasions when his real poverty had been aided by them. The freedom from anxiety about the development at Philippi, and the hearty affection for kind friends, make this in many respects the most pleasing of all Paul's letters.
Though prepared to face death if need be, Paul was comparatively confident of the issue when he wrote to Philippi : " I have the confident conviction that I shall remain and abide for you all to your progress and joy of believing," and " I trust that I shall come to you shortly". That he was acquitted is demanded both by the plan evident in Acts (p. 308) and by other reasons well stated by others.
5. LAST TRIAL AND DEATH OF PAUL. His later career is concealed from us, for the hints contained in the Pastoral Epistles hardly furnish even an outline of his travels, which must have lasted three or four years, 62-65 A.D. At his second trial the veil that hides his fate is raised for the moment. On that occasion the circum- stances were very different from his first trial. His con- finement was more rigorous, for Onesiphorus had to take much trouble before obtaining an interview with the prisoner (II Tim. I 17): "he fared ill as far as bonds, like a criminal" (II 9). He had no hope of acquittal : he recognised that he was " already being poured forth as an offering, and the time of his de- parture was come ". The gloom and hopelessness of the situation damped and dismayed all his friends : at his first hearing " all forsook " him ; yet for the time he " was delivered out of the mouth of the lion ". In every respect the situation thus indicated is the opposite of the circumstances described on the first trial. Phil, occupies