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the plain testimony of the Scriptures； even when presented to them by one
who had the special illumination of the Holy Spirit。 They could not refute
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his arguments； but they refused to accept his conclusions。
Many months passed by after Paul's arrival in Rome； before the Jews of
Jerusalem appeared in person to present their accusations against the
prisoner。 They had been repeatedly thwarted in their designs； and now that
Paul was to be tried before the highest tribunal of the Roman Empire； they
had no desire to risk another defeat。 Lysias； Felix； Festus； and Agrippa had
all declared their belief in his innocence。 His enemies could hope for
success only in seeking by intrigue to influence the emperor in their favor。
Delay would further their object； as it would afford them time to perfect
and execute their plans； and so they waited for a while before preferring
their charges in person against the apostle。
In the providence of God this delay resulted in the furtherance of the
gospel。 Through the favor of those who had Paul in charge； he was permitted
to dwell in a commodious house； where he could meet freely with his friends
and also present the truth daily to those who came to hear。 Thus for two
years he continued his labors； 〃preaching the kingdom of God； and teaching
those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ； will all confidence； no
man forbidding him。〃
During this time the churches that he had established in many lands were not
forgotten。 Realizing the dangers that threatened the converts to the new
faith； the apostle sought so far as possible to meet their needs by letters
of warning and practical instruction。 And from Rome he
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sent out consecrated workers to labor not only for these churches； but in
fields that he himself had not visited。 These workers； as wise shepherds；
strengthened the work so well begun by Paul； and the apostle； kept informed
of the condition and dangers of the churches by constant communication with
them； was enabled to exercise a wise supervision over all。
Thus； while apparently cut off from active labor； Paul exerted a wider and
more lasting influence than if he had 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； and his words； written by one under bonds for
the sake of Christ； commanded greater attention and respect than they did
when he was personally with them。 Not until Paul was removed from them； did
the believers realize how heavy were the burdens 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； but now； left in their inexperience to learn the lessons they had
shunned； they prized his warnings； counsels； and instructions as they had
not prized his personal work。 And as they learned of his courage and faith
during his long imprisonment they were stimulated to greater fidelity and
zeal in the cause of Christ。
Among Paul's assistants at Rome were many of his former companions and
fellow workers。 Luke； 〃the beloved physician；〃 who had attended him on the
journey to Jerusalem； through the two years' imprisonment at Caesarea； and
upon his perilous voyage to Rome； was with him still。
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Timothy also ministered to his comfort。 Tychicus； 〃a beloved brother； and a
faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord；〃 stood nobly by the
apostle。 Demas and Mark were also with him。 Aristarchus and Epaphras were
his 〃fellow prisoners。〃 Colossians 4：7…14。
Since the earlier years of his profession of faith； Mark's Christian
experience had deepened。 As he had studied more closely the life and death
of Christ he had obtained clearer views of the Saviour's mission； its toils
and conflicts。 Reading in the scars in Christ's hands and feet the marks of
His service for humanity； and the length to which self…abnegation leads to
save the lost and perishing； Mark had become willing to follow the Master in
the path of self…sacrifice。 Now； sharing the lot of Paul the prisoner； he
understood better than ever before that it is infinite gain to win Christ；
infinite loss to win the world and lose the soul for whose redemption the
blood of Christ was shed。 In the face of severe trial and adversity； Mark
continued steadfast； a wise and beloved helper of the apostle。
Demas； steadfast for a time； afterward forsook the cause of Christ。 In
referring to this； Paul wrote； 〃Demas hath forsaken me； having loved this
present world。〃 2 Timothy 4：10。 For worldly gain； Demas bartered every high
and noble consideration。 How shortsighted the exchange！ Possessing only
worldly wealth or honor； Demas was poor indeed； however much he might
proudly call his own； while Mark； choosing to suffer for Christ's sake；
possessed eternal riches； being accounted in heaven an heir of God and a
joint heir with His Son。
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Among those who gave their hearts to God through the labors of Paul in Rome
was Onesimus； a pagan slave who had wronged his master； Philemon； a
Christian believer in Colosse； and had escaped to Rome。 In the kindness of
his heart； Paul sought to relieve the poverty and distress of the wretched
fugitive and then endeavored to shed the light of truth into his darkened
mind。 Onesimus listened to the words of life； confessed his sins； and was
converted to the faith of Christ。
Onesimus endeared himself to Paul by his piety and sincerity； no less than
by his tender care for the apostle's comfort； and his zeal in promoting the
work of the gospel。 Paul saw in him traits of character that would render
him a useful helper in missionary labor； and he counseled him to return
without delay to Philemon； beg his forgiveness； and plan for the future。 The
apostle promised to hold himself responsible for the sum of which Philemon
had been robbed。 Being about to dispatch Tychicus with letters to various
churches in Asia Minor； he sent Onesimus with him。 It was a severe test for
this servant thus to deliver himself up to the master he had wronged； but he
had been truly converted； and he did not turn aside from his duty。
Paul made Onesimus the bearer of a letter to Philemon； in which； with his
usual tact and kindness； the apostle pleaded the cause of the repentant
slave and expressed a desire to retain his services in the future。 The
letter began with an affectionate greeting to Philemon as a friend and
fellow laborer：
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〃Grace to you； and peace； from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ。 I
thank my God； making mention of thee always in my prayers； hearing of thy
love and faith； which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus； and toward all
saints； that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus。〃 The
apostle reminded Philemon that every good purpose and trait of character
which he possessed was due to the