When the Christian churches first learned that Paul contemplated a visit to Rome, they looked forward to a signal triumph of the gospel. Paul had borne the truth to many lands; he had proclaimed it in great cities. Might not this champion of the faith succeed in winning souls to Christ, even in the court of Nero? But their anticipations were crushed by the tidings that Paul had gone to Rome as a prisoner. They had confidently hoped to see the gospel, once established at this great center, extend rapidly to all nations, until it should become a prevailing power in the earth. How great their disappointment! Human calculations had failed, but not the purpose of God. Paul could not labor as he had hoped, yet before the close of that two years’ imprisonment he was able to say, “My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” and among those who send greetings to the Philippians, he mentions chiefly them that are of Caesar’s household. {LP 294.3}

Da de kristne menigheder første erfarede at Paulus overvejede et besøg i Rom, så de frem til et tydelig sejr for evangeliet. Paulus havde frembåret sandheden til mange lande; han havde proklameret den i store byer. Skulle denne troens sejrherre så ikke lykkes at vinde sjæle for Kristus, endog i Neros hof? Men deres forventninger blev knust af nyhederne om at Paulus var kommet til Rom som en fange. De satte deres tiltroede håb til at se evangeliet, der en gang var oprettet i dette store center, bredt sig ud til alle folk, indtil det bliver fremherskende ud over jorden. Hvor stort var deres skuffelse! Menneskers beretninger svigtede, men ikke Guds plan. Paulus kunne ikke arbejde, som han håbede, men han kunne dog sig efter de to års fængsling: "Det er i Kristus, jeg bærer mine lænker," og blandt dem som sender hilsener til filipperne, nævner han kort dem som er i kejserens hus.