Appendix U

A Summary of APPENDIX U – PAUL’S FOURTH MISSIONARY JOURNEY?

In the “Pastoral Epistles” of Paul (I and II Timothy, and Titus), there are references to places and events that do not seem to fit the timeline of the book of Acts. These logically fit a time after Paul’s first imprisonment (Acts 28) and before his execution (II Timothy 4:6). There is enough available biblical information to permit reconstruction of some of the events that happened in Paul’s ministry after Acts 28:31. For that reason, the phrase “Fourth Missionary Journey of Paul” has been set forth by some to describe this time and these events.

These following examples and suggestions are founded on three presuppositions: (1) that the Bible is divinely inspired, absolutely infallible, and accurately preserved; (2) that the book of Acts presents a trustworthy historical record and is not historical fiction; and (3) that all the epistles traditionally ascribed to Paul were in fact written by him during his lifetime. The notes below attempt to grapple with the issue, and give the “chronological order” in simple order of mention in Bible rather than a likely order in the travel route. A possible trajectory of the journey might be based on moving in a circuitous route from Rome and back again.

• Paul appeared before Nero at some point in time during his first arrest in Rome, after Acts 28:31. This is a known fact because God promised it. In Acts 27:24 it is recorded that God said Paul would stand before Cæsar.
• Paul expects to be released from his house arrest. See his letter to Philemon. He was in bonds, but expected to be released (Philemon, verses 10, 13, 22). Cf. also Philippians 1:12-26 (especially v. 26), for an expectation of release and traveling to Philippi.
• Paul traveled to Ephesus, where Timothy was serving (I Timothy 1:3). He saw a falling away in Asia, by followers of Phygellus and Hermogenes (II Timothy 1:15). He was helped by Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:18). He encountered opposition from Alexander the coppersmith (II Timothy 4:14).[1]
• Paul went to Miletum with Trophimus and left him there sick (II Timothy 4:10). He traveled, possibly by ship to Troas, and left some things there with Carpus, including his cloke and some books (II Timothy 4:13). Since he left his cloke, we might assume that it was during a warm season. He sent Tychicus from Rome to Ephesus (II Timothy 4:12).
• Paul traveled to Crete, laboured together with Titus, and then left Titus to complete the work and appoint elders in the churches (Titus 1:5).
• Paul wrote a letter to Titus (Titus 3:12), and expected to meet him in Nicopolis, a city on the west coast of Achaia – planning to be there during the winter (Titus 3:12). Paul would send Artemas or Tychicus to Crete, so Titus could meet him in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).
• Paul evidently with to Corinth, left Erastus there, and then headed toward Nicopolis (II Timothy 4:20).[2]

A possible itinerary of Paul’s “fourth missionary journey” might be: leaving Rome, traveling to Crete, Miletus, Ephesus (or simply sent Timothy there), (possibly) the area of Colosse to see Philemon, Troas, Philippi, Corinth, and Nicopolis. Paul had determined to winter over in Nicopolis, and could have possibly been taken into custody there. At some point during his final ministry, Paul was arrested, taken to Rome, and imprisoned. This stay was probably not with any kind of liberty as formerly, but rather than in a “hired house,” in a dank prison that was cold (II Timothy 4:13, 21).[3] While in prison before his execution, Paul was visited by Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:16–17), left alone by others (II Timothy 4:16), forsaken by Demas (II Timothy 4:10), and wrote his farewell epistle – the second letter to Timothy. Paul was aided by the physician Luke, who looked after his needs (II Timothy 4:11).

Paul may have traveled to Spain during this time, though the scriptures do not tell us. He had at least written of planning to minister there (Romans 15:22-29).  However, this was when he was also planning to go to Rome of his own volition (which did not transpire in that way). If he did go to Spain, it would have been most likely that he would have left for there first, after being freed from this imprisonment – since he was already on the west side of Italy.

Paul the apostle probably lived about five or six years after the end of the book of Acts.

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[1] His warning to Timothy implies that Alexander was in Ephesus.
[2] Erastus was from Corinth, if the letter to the Romans was written from Corinth. See Romans 16:23.
[3] Regardless, Paul’s last letter indicates that his friends were given access to meet with him.