Chapter 28—Paul at Liberty While Paul’s labors were blessed to the conversion of many souls and the strengthening and encouragement of the believers, clouds were gathering that threatened his own safety as well as the prosperity of the church. When, on his arrival at Rome, he was placed in charge of the captain of the imperial guards, the office was filled by a man of justice and integrity, by whose clemency he was left comparatively free to pursue the work of the gospel. But before the close of the two years’ imprisonment, this man was replaced by an official whose vice and tyranny rendered his name infamous. The apostle could expect no favor from this slave of lust and cruelty.{LP 301.1}The Jews were now more active than ever before in their efforts against Paul. They had found an able helper in the profligate woman whom Nero had made his second wife, and who, being a Jewish proselyte, would lend all her influence to second their murderous designs against the Christian champion.{LP 301.2}

Selvom Paulus arbejde var til velsignelse for mange sjæle og styrke og opmuntring for de troende, samlede der sig truende skyer over hans egen sikkerhed såvel som menighedens fremgang. Da han kom til Rom, kom han i den øverstbefalende for kejservagtens varetægt, hvor embedet blev udfyldt af en retsindig og ren mand, med en skånsel hvor han kunne udføre evangeliets arbejde frit. Men ved afslutningen af to års fængsling, blev denne erstattet af en embedsmand, som havde ondsind og tyranni i sit rygte. Apostlen kunne ikke forvente velvilje fra denne lyst- og grusomheds-slave. Nu var jøderne mere aktive end nogensinde før i deres anstrengelser imod Paulus. De havde fundet en bedre hjælper i den ryggesløse kvinde, som Nero havde gjort til sin anden hustru, og som jødisk proselyt, ville give al sin indflydelse til deres morderiske planer imod den kristne sejrherre.