Acts 28:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This expression of love and reverence from the Roman Christians deeply moved the great apostle. It stirred joyful thanksgiving to God in his soul and encouraged him. His spirit was not at rest as he now approached, in chains, the capital of the pagan world then known.

He had long desired to see Rome and to be there as a witness of Christ. Yet the condition of imprisonment in which he now found himself gave rise to fear in him. He feared that this condition might hinder the success of the preaching of the Gospel.

The word of the Cross was often itself foolishness to the Gentiles. Now, in addition, this word had to be proclaimed in the capital of the world, the center of pagan religion, learning, and civilization. It had to be proclaimed by a man who was not only obscure, but even a prisoner.

In such circumstances the apostle could fear for his position in Rome as an apostle, even among the Christians there. Most of them did not know him personally and had not learned, through personal dealings with him, to honor him as an apostle of Christ.

It is true that they had already read the apostle's epistle to them, which preceded his personal arrival in Rome. Yet there was still room for doubt whether this epistle had produced the proper effect on its readers. And so, as he approached Rome in this state of soul, the apostle received a testimony of love and reverence from the Roman Christians. This greatly encouraged his spirit.

From there, with a favorable following wind, the ship quickly reached Puteoli, one of the chief grain-trading ports of Italy. The prisoners had to leave it and continue overland. In such a busy port there proved to be some Christians. They joyfully received the apostle, who spent a week with them at their request. This also serves as clear proof of the centurion's extraordinary kindness toward the great prisoner. "And then we went to Rome."

The capital of the world was no longer far from there, only about 200 versts away.

Syracuse is a coastal city on the southeastern shore of Sicily, eighteen geographical miles, or 125 versts, from Malta. Rhegium, or Reggio, is in southern Italy opposite Messina, at the northern corner of Sicily. Puteoli, or Pozzuoli, is a coastal city one mile from Naples. At that time the harbor of Puteoli was one of the most important on the western coast of Italy, especially for trade with the East. Merchant ships were usually unloaded there, and from there goods were sent overland to Rome, the capital of the world at that time. Probably Paul and his companions were left there by Julius the centurion with a small convoy, while the other prisoners went on to Rome with Julius himself and the rest of the guard.

The voyage through the calm Sicilian bays, surrounded by varied and lovely views, greatly strengthened the exhausted travelers. Still more did the seven days among the brethren, and they could feel much better. Surveying all that had earlier happened to Paul and his companions, Saint John Chrysostom says: "Do you see how temptations always serve a great good, here as well as there? In misfortune it is as if someone fought fire with a reed. Outwardly he strikes the fire, but he makes it brighter and exhausts himself. So too misfortune becomes for virtue the cause and occasion of its glorification. When, amid the injustice of others, we entrust ourselves rightly to the governance of God, then our virtues shine more clearly. Moderate sorrow is good, cares are good, and poverty is good. All these are medicines corresponding to wounds. Misfortunes and griefs are like a whetstone that sharpens us. For this reason the poor are usually wiser than the rich. A body that remains idle becomes sickly and misshapen. The same happens with the soul. Misfortunes rouse it to action. Therefore let us not murmur, but rejoice in tribulations."