What happened on Paul's fourth missionary journey?

The New Testament does not contain any further indications regarding the life of the apostle Paul than what is said in the Pastoral Epistles. The end of Acts however would indicate that Paul has been released after two years of imprisonment in Rome. Afterwards he wrote the First Epistle to Timothy in 63/64 AD and the Epistle to Titus wherein he does not mention anything regarding imprisonment but instead mentions various places to travel to. He visited the assembly in Ephesus where he left Timothy behind (1 Tim. 1:3). He himself went on to Macedonia. During this time he told Titus, who was another co-worker, that he had the intention to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He once again visited Troas and maybe Ephesus as well (2 Tim. 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:14). From there he went to Milet and Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20) and was taken captive a second time. We do not know much about this though. He was brought to Rome again and condemned to death. It was from there that he wrote his last inspired testimony which was the Second Epistle to Timothy (autumn 66/67 AD). He was deserted by many but strengthened by his Lord.

2The following extract from the “New and Concise Bible Dictionary” may be helpful here: “The history of Paul is … given in the Acts of the Apostles, but there are intimations in the later epistles that after two years at Rome he was liberated. His movements from that time are not definitely recorded; apparently he visited Ephesus and Macedonia, 1 Timothy 1:3; wrote the first epistle to Timothy; visited Crete, Titus 1:5; and Nicopolis, Titus 3:12; wrote the epistle to Titus (the early writers say that he went to Spain, which we know he desired to do, Romans 15:24, 28); visited Troas and Miletus, 2 Timothy 4:13, 20; wrote the epistle to the Hebrews; and when a prisoner at Rome the second time, wrote the second epistle to Timothy, when expecting his death”.

The history of Paul is thus far given in the Acts of the Apostles, but there are intimations in the later epistles that after the two years at Rome he was liberated. His movements from that time are not definitely recorded; apparently he visited Ephesus and Macedonia, 1 Tim. 1:3; wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY; visited Crete, Titus 1:5; and Nicopolis, Titus 3:12; wrote the EPISTLE TO TITUS (the early writers say that he went to Spain, which we know he desired to do, Rom. 15:24, 28); visited Troas and Miletus, 2 Tim. 4:13, 20; wrote the EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS; and when a prisoner at Rome the second time, wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY, when expecting his death. Early writers say that he was beheaded with the sword, which is probable, as he was a Roman citizen.

One of the reasons of doubting the genuineness is the situation the apostle was in according to the epistles, the reason being that it is not easy to align the various statements on this with the Acts of the Apostles. This however is not impossible as the Acts of the Apostles do not give a complete and exhaustive description of Paul's travels.

There is much that speaks in favour of Paul's release after two years of imprisonment in Rome (as described by the end of Acts) around the year 63 AC. Hints to this effect can already be found in his Epistles to the Philippians (chap. 1:22-26; 2:24) and to Philemon (verse 22). According to the messages in the Pastoral Epistles he then came to Minor Asia, Crete and Greece (compare with 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 4:13.20; Tit. 1:5; 3:12). Only hereafter Paul was again taken captive and condemned to death and executed in Rome.

The First Epistle to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus, therefore, have been written between the first and second imprisonment for from these epistles we learn that Paul had been released. We find no mention of chains or bonds. The Epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and to Philemon as well as Second Timothy all mention chains or bonds, which would indicate imprisonment. In 2 Tim. 1:8.12.16-17; 2:9 Paul again is writing of imprisonment and of a trial (2 Tim. 4:6-8). This epistle therefore is the last inspired testimony of the apostle Paul, so to say his spiritual last will.

Much has been written on the date of the First Epistle to Timothy. The question of one or two imprisonments of the apostle becomes important in connection with the date of the First Epistle to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus. Paul was no doubt imprisoned twice, and between the two imprisonments, when he was a free man, the First Epistle to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus were written. If only one imprisonment is maintained, the date of the writing of these Epistles is hopelessly obscure, besides other unexplainable difficulties. Paul reached Rome as a prisoner in the year 61 A.D. and remained there for two years (Acts 28:30). During this time he wrote the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and to Philemon. In each he speaks of the fact that he was a prisoner. He does not mention himself as a prisoner when he writes the first letter to Timothy. He tells Timothy that he hoped to come unto him shortly. In writing Titus he speaks of spending the winter in Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12). This is sufficient evidence that he was no longer a prisoner. His trusting confidence to be released had been realized (Phil. 1:25; 2:24; Philemon, verse 22). The prayers in his behalf had been answered. For several years he was again at liberty, and Eusebius, a reliable source, states that it was known that Paul went forth preaching again.

Another ancient source (the Muratori fragment, 170 A.D.) gives the information that Paul after leaving Rome went to Spain . The interval between the first and second imprisonment explains fully the statement in 2 Tim. 4:20, "Trophimus have I left at Miletus sick." When Paul was at Miletus before he came to Rome (Acts 20:17), he did not leave him there sick, but Trophimus accompanied him (Acts 21:29). Therefore Paul visited Miletus and Ephesus again; this must have been between his first and final imprisonment. Nor could the statement in 1 Tim. 1:3 be explained if Paul had written this Epistle before his arrest in Jerusalem . He wrote Timothy that he had besought him to abide still at Ephesus .

This is the last Epistle the Apostle Paul wrote. He was once more imprisoned in Rome, and shortly before his martyrdom he wrote this second letter to Timothy. His movements between his first and second imprisonment may be traced as follows: After having written his first Epistle to Timothy he returned to Ephesus, as he intended, by way of Troas. Then he left the books he mentions (4:13) with Carpus. From Ephesus he went to Crete, and after his return wrote the Epistle to Titus. Next he went by Miletus to Corinth (4:20), and from there to Nicopolis (Titus 3:12) and then on to Rome. If he visited Spain, as tradition claims, it must have been immediately after his release.

The epistle ends, as commonly, with personal matters and greetings, which have so tender an interest, as opening to us the life of those days, and the heart of the apostle, exercised by the trials of the way, and for others, the companions of his way. He is not here the "prisoner of the Lord," but has been in Crete, and is now in Macedonia, or on his way to it. Written, as seems evident, after his first imprisonment, it is one proof, among others, of his realization of the confidence expressed in the epistle to the Philippians of his deliverance at that time: "I know that I shall abide with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith." The three "pastoral" epistles, with that to the Hebrews, are the only Scriptural record of the interval between that and his final condemnation in the last year of Nero, A.D. 68. But there is consistent testimony that he fulfilled, also, his desire to visit Spain (Rom. 15:24).

63.-[Spring.] Paul acquitted and released. Epistle to the Hebrews written. Paul takes another journey, intending to visit Asia Minor and Greece (Philemon 22; Phil. 2:24).

64.-Visits Crete and leaves Titus there-exhorts Timothy to abide at Ephesus. First Epistle to Timothy written. Epistle to Titus written.

64-67.-Intends to winter at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). Visits Troas, Corinth, Miletum (2 Tim. 4:13-20). Paul arrested and sent to Rome. Deserted and solitary-having only Luke, of his old associates, with him. Second Epistle to Timothy written, probably not long before his death. These journeys and events are generally supposed to cover a period of about three years.

The apostle had besought Timothy to abide still in Ephesus when he left that city and went to Macedonia . He was to remain behind to charge some that they teach no other doctrine. When Paul had met the elders of Ephesus at Miletus he had made this prediction, "For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). Then he went to Jerusalem , where he was taken prisoner and sent to Rome . After his release he must have visited Ephesus once more and found the very things in the assembly of Ephesus against which the Holy Spirit had sounded the warning. Timothy was with him at that visit between his first and second imprisonment. He left him behind to deal with false teachers and false doctrines. (The word "doctrine" (teaching) is used eight times in this Epistle.) The better rendering of verse 4 is, "neither turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies, which bring questionings rather than God's dispensation which is in faith."

Paul himself, after his release from his first imprisonment at Rome, seems to have gone with Titus pioneering in the great island of Crete. Assemblies sprang up as the result, and the Apostle left Titus there to set things in order and to appoint elders "in every city" (Titus 1:5). He was then to rejoin Paul at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12) .