LUKE tells us that for two years Paul lived in Rome "in his own hired house" (Acts 28 v.30 A.V.), which implies a move from his lodgings, or "at his own expense" (R. S. V.) welcoming all visitors, to whom he spoke of the Kingdom of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ "quite openly and unhindered" (R. S. V.). During this period he also wrote to the believers at Ephesus, Philippi and Colosse, and sent the letter to Philemon. Luke thus establishes that Paul bore witness in Rome to the resurrected Christ as the Lord had foretold, but there is no reference in Acts to Paul appearing before Caesar as the angel had foretold (27:23-24); an event which Luke would surely have recorded if it had taken place when he wrote. It can be assumed then that Paul remained a prisoner chained to a Roman guard during the two years.
