Few realize the significance of those words of Luke, that when Paul saw his brethren, “he thanked God, and took courage.” The apostle praised God aloud in the midst of that weeping, sympathizing throng, who were not ashamed of his bonds. The cloud of sadness that had rested upon his spirit had been swept away. He felt that his labors had not been in vain. Although his Christian life had been a succession of trials, sufferings, and disappointments, he felt in that hour abundantly repaid. He rejoiced that he had been permitted to preach Christ, to bring the light of eternal life and peace to so many souls who had been in the grossest darkness, without hope, and without God in the world. His step is firm, his heart joyful in hope. He will not complain of the past, or fear for the future. He knows that bonds and afflictions await him; but he knows too that it has been his life-work to deliver souls from a bondage infinitely more terrible, and he rejoices in his sufferings for Christ’s sake.{LP 274.1}

Få erkendte betydningen af Lukas’ ord, da Paulus så sine brødre: "han takkede Gud, og blev frimodig." Apostlen priste Gud højt midt i den grædende og forstående skare, som ikke skammede sig over hans bånd. De bedrøvede sky som havde hvilet over hans ånd var fejet bort. Han følte at hans arbejde ikke var forgæves. Igennem hans kristne liv var der en række prøvelser, lidelser og skuffelser, han mærkede blev tilbagebetalt i overmåde. Han glædede sig over at han fik lov at forkynde Kristus, bringe evigt lys og fred til mange sjæle som har været i det tætteste mørke, uden håb, uden Gud i verden. Hans skridt er faste, hans hjerte glad i håbet. Han vil ikke beklage sig over fortiden, eller frygte for fremtiden. Han ved hvilke bånd og plager vil vente ham; men han ved også at det har været hans livsværk at udfri sjæle fra en trældom, umådelig mere forfærdelig, og han glæder sig ved at lide for Kristi skyld.