Thus, while apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a wider and more lasting influence than if he had been free to travel among the churches as in former years. As a prisoner of the Lord, he had a firmer hold upon the affections of his brethren; and his words, written by one under bonds for the sake of Christ, commanded greater attention and respect than they did when he was personally with them. Not until Paul was removed from them, did the believers realize how heavy were the burdens he had borne in their behalf. Heretofore they had largely excused themselves from responsibility and burden bearing because they lacked his wisdom, tact, and indomitable energy; but now, left in their inexperience to learn the lessons they had shunned, they prized his warnings, counsels, and instructions as they had not prized his personal work. And as they learned of his courage and faith during his long imprisonment they were stimulated to greater fidelity and zeal in the cause of Christ.

Mens Paulus således tilsyneladende var afskåret fra aktivt arbejde, udøvede han en større og mere varig indflydelse, end hvis han havde haft frihed til at rejse rundt blandt menighederne som tidligere. Som Herrens fange havde han et fastere tag i sine medbrødres kærlighed og hans ord, der var skrevet af én, som bar lænker for Kristi skyld, vakte større opmærksomhed og ærbødighed, end de ville have gjort, hvis han personligt havde været hos dem. Ikke før Paulus var blevet dem berøvet, forstod de troende fuldt ud, hvor tunge byrder han havde båret for deres skyld. Hidtil havde de været meget tilbøjelige til at unddrage sig ansvaret og de tyngende byrder, fordi de manglede hans visdom, finfølelse og ubetvingelige energi; men nu, hvor de i deres uerfarenhed var nødt til at lære den lektie, de havde villet undgå, skønnede de på hans formaninger, råd og belæring, mere end de nogensinde havde skønnet på hans personlige arbejde. Og fordi de lærte meget af hans mod og tro under det lange fangenskab, blev de styrkede til større troskab og iver for Kristi riges sag.