Thus while apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a wider and more lasting influence than he could have exerted had he 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 in the faith, and his words commanded even greater attention and respect than when he was personally with them. When they first learned that their beloved teacher had been made a prisoner, they mourned and would not be comforted. Not until he was removed from them, did they realize how heavy were the burdens which 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; and now, left in their inexperience to learn the lessons they had shunned, and feeling that they were never more to be benefited by the apostle’s labors, they prized the warning, counsel, and instruction which he sent them, as they had never before prized his teachings. And as they learned of his courage, faith, and meekness in his long imprisonment, they also were stimulated to greater fidelity and zeal in the cause of Christ. {LP 281.2}

Selvom Paulus tilsynelandende var afskåret for aktivt arbejde, udøvede han en videre og mere holdbar indfydelse, end da han rejste frit i mellem menighederne tidligere. Som en fange i Herren, havde han fastere grep på sine brødres hengivenhed i troen, og hans ord påbød større opmærksomhed og respekt end da han var hos dem personligt. Da de først er farede at deres elskede lærer var blevet en fange, knurrede de og ville ikke lade sig trøste. Ikke før han blev fjernet fra dem, indså de hvor tunge byrde han havde båret for deres skyld. Hidtil havde de undskyldt sig selv for ansvar og bære byrder, fordi de manglede visdom, taktfølelse og utæmmelige kræfter; og nu var de overladt i deres uerfarenhed til at lære de lektier de havde undgået, og følelser at de aldrig mere skulle have gavn af apostlens arbejde, så værdsatte de advarsler, råd og belæring som han havde sendt dem, som de aldrig før havde værdsat hans lære. Og idet de lærte om hans mod, tro og sagtmodighed under hans lange fængsling, blev de også stimuleret til større flid og iver for Kristi sag.