The zeal and fidelity of Paul and his fellow workers, no less than the faith and obedience of these converts to Christianity, under circumstances so forbidding, rebuke slothfulness and lack of faith in the minister of Christ. The apostle 466 and his associate workers might have argued that it would be vain to call to repentance and faith in Christ the servants of Nero, subjected, as they were, to fierce temptations, surrounded by formidable hindrances, and exposed to bitter opposition. Even should they be convinced of the truth, how could they render obedience? But Paul did not reason thus; in faith he presented the gospel to these souls, and among those who heard were some who decided to obey at any cost. Notwithstanding obstacles and dangers, they would accept the light, and trust God to help them let their light shine forth to others.

Paulus og hans medarbejderes iver og troskab og ikke mindst troen og lydigheden hos dem, der var blevet omvendt til kristendommen under så truende forhold, virker som en bebrejdelse mod ladhed og manglende tro hos Kristi tjenere. Apostlen og hans medarbejdere kunne være fremkommet med den indvending, at det ville være håbløst at forsøge at vække anger og tro på Kristus hos Neros tjenere, der jo var genstand for voldsomme fristelser, omgivet af frygtelige hindringer og udsat for den bitreste modstand. Selv om de lod sig overbevise om sandheden, hvordan skulle de så kunne vise lydighed? Men Paulus ræsonnerede ikke på denne måde. I tro forkyndte han evangeliet for disse sjæle og blandt dem, der hørte ham, var der nogle, som besluttede at adlyde, koste, hvad det ville. Trods hindringer og farer ville de tage imod lyset i tillid til, at Gud ville hjælpe dem til at lade deres lys skinne for andre.