Biblical Misunderstandings
Paul's Captivity
"I, the prisoner of the Lord." Ephesians 4:1
Biblical Misunderstandings
Paul's Captivity
"I, the prisoner of the Lord." Ephesians 4:1
Paul uses this expression, "the prisoner of the Lord," in letters he writes after his arrest in the temple in Jerusalem.
Paul's use of this expression is ambiguous at best, and perhaps misleading at worst, once we examine the circumstances of his arrest, his imprisonment and subsequent extradition to Rome.
We generally understand that the enemy take captives, and God sets them free. Certainly, while Paul was on his way to Damascus with letters of authority to persecute Christians, he was working for the enemy, and Jesus rescued him from a dismal eternity.
Just like Jonah, Paul and countless others have been commissioned by God to spread the Good News - it's a calling from which we cannot escape.
But prisoner of Jesus?
Here are some important details to consider.
Select a topic below, or scroll through to begin
Paul was human, he made mistakes even as a believer, as an apostle. Note how he was taken prisoner (see below) - once he went to Rome as a prisoner we hear no more of his work (although he wrote many of his inspiring epistles from there).
While Imprisoned in Rome, Paul Writes:
"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles..." Ephesians 3:1 (NIV)
"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you..." Ephesians 4:1 (NASB)
"Therefore do not be ashamed...of me his prisoner..." 2 Timothy 1:8 (ESV)
"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus..." Philemon 1:1 (NASB 1995)
"...an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus..." Philemon 9 (NIV)
Paul does not describe himself as a "prisoner of Jesus Christ" before his arrest and imprisonment. Instead, he uses the word doulos (which is best translated as slave) to describe his (and our) relationship to God. (Romans 1:1)
In 1 Corinthians 7:22-23a he writes:
"For he who as a slave was summoned in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord; just so he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ, the Messiah. You were bought with a price..." (AMP)
From that expression "bought with a price" we derive the idea of slave-hood before God. Paul explains this some more in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. (AMP)
"You are not your own, You were bought with a price . So then, honor God in your body."
But just to make sure that we know we really are free, he writes in Galatians 4:
"God sent His Son...to purchase the freedom of those who were subject to the Law, that we might be recognised as sons...Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son." v4b, 5, 7a. (AMP)
In reality, we exist as sons and daughters - children of God - in our relationship with the Father, but we are meant to operate with them from a position of slavery, as if owned by God.
Paul does not describe others as 'prisoners' of the Lord, but just uses that expression for himself. Is he referring to the fact that he has given up everything to follow Jesus, and is bound to Him, as some think?
I don't think so, because then he would be claiming a special, unique relationship to himself.
After all, according to Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus takes no prisoners, He came to set the captives free, and to deliver those who are oppressed.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" (ESV)
He confirmed that when He read those very verses in the synagogue in Nazareth, in Luke 4:18-19, and then said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled." v22b
Instead, Paul appears to be suggesting that his imprisonment by the Roman authorities came as a result of his doing the work of the Lord, but is that the case?
Let's look at the evidence.
Acts 13:2-4a (AMP)
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
"Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.
So then, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went..."
That was a very important call for both of them to work together. We do not have the option to refuse, deny or change a call from God. Paul and Barnabas worked well together until...
Problem 1:
Acts 15:39 (AMP)
"And there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus."
Very early on Paul's arrogance and unwillingness to listen or be flexible led him to break God's call on his life to work with Barnabas, and also blinded him to warnings from Holy Spirit.
What was the argument about?
After Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, was turned around and started to preach Him whom he had formerly persecuted, the disciples feared him, thinking that it was a trap. One believer, Barnabas, took Paul to the disciples to explain his turnaround. (Acts 9:26-29b.) He then mentored Paul and started to travel with him.
Some time later, after another trip to Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul left with a young man named John Mark, who became their assistant. (Acts 12:25.) After some short time John Mark returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13.)
While the pair are originally described as Barnabas and Saul, by Acts 13 Paul, as he now became known, was taking the lead. In verse 36 we see the story that led to their break-up.
"And after some time Paul said to Barnabas, Come, let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are getting along.
"Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark [his near relative].
"But Paul did not think it best to have along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work." Acts 15:36-38 (AMPC)
Considering Paul's background - "At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated according to the strictest care in the Law of our fathers" (Acts 22:3 AMP) - you would think he would know "What God has joined together, let not man separate," although that particular expression is uniquely Jesus. Nonetheless, his knowledge of Samson, king Saul and Jonah should have told him about the permanency of a call from God.
Problem 2: Paul did not restore that connection with Barnabas.
Much later, John Mark seems to have joined him in Rome, not as a prisoner but as an assistant.
"Aristarchus my fellow prisoner wishes to be remembered to you, as does Mark the relative of Barnabas...if he comes to you give him a welcome." Colossians 4:10 (AMP)
Problem 3: Paul now became subject to increasingly persuasive deception from the enemy.
"And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there" Acts 20:22 (KJV)
What spirit is it that is compelling Paul to go to Jerusalem? It can't be Holy Spirit because Paul received two warnings from fellow Christians, via Holy Spirit, not to go to Jerusalem.
Instead, he was bound in his own spirit (meaning, he had a very strong urge within him) to go to Jerusalem. Holy Spirit is not going to urge someone to go somewhere, and then warn them not to go.
It's interesting to see how translators treat this passage, by adding a word of their own choosing, and then either capitalising Spirit to show that this 'binding' was from God, or leaving it in lower case to show that it was Paul's spirit at work. (Note that the Koine Greek manuscripts are written in all-capitals, with no sentences, verses or separation between words, even, which means that we have to use other evidence to work out which spirit is involved.)
The Greek literally says, "And now I, behold I, having been bound the spirit, I am going into Jerusalem..."
You will notice above that originally there is no preposition between the word 'bound' and the words 'the spirit', but because 'spirit' is in the Dative case (which adds a sense of direction to the verb 'bound'), everyone adds either 'in' or 'by' to help the sentence make more sense. However, that 'more sense' can be at the expense of the translator's bias to show that it was either Holy Spirit, or his own spirit that was strongly urging Paul to go.
Sixteen out of 47 translations on biblehub.com add the word 'by' while the rest add the word 'in'. Twenty translations capitalise 'Spirit' to show (without justification) that it was Holy Spirit, while the rest leave it uncapitalised to strongly suggest that it was Paul's spirit that was compelling him to go.
While I have not studied the usage or prevalence of the repetition of the personal pronoun 'I' in Koine Greek, that does seem to add weight to the idea that this was Paul's spirit at work.
There are usually enough clues in Scripture to help us work out what is really meant, and the word 'except' is used in the next verse to draw a contrast between Paul's spirit in verse 22, and Holy Spirit in verse 23 following.
"...except that the Holy Spirit fully testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me." v23 (BLB)
There was his warning: this wasn't a prophecy or declaration of God's will choice for him to suffer, but a warning to watch out, to be careful in all he did to avoid that happening.
Why was this? Because he had caused suffering and imprisonment to Christians before he became a believer, and so he could expect similar punishment to be meted out to him, but in greater measure, if he wasn't careful.
Problem 4:
In his unresolved conceit and arrogance towards Barnabas Paul's own wisdom and understanding is clouded. He completely misunderstands this warning from God.
God has taught me a 'rule of thumb' that for whatever we do wrong, even though God forgives us, the enemy can penalise us up to three times more or worse than what we did. We can see this working out in Paul's life, too.
Contrast "chains and tribulations await me" with Paul's earlier expectations for his journey to meet with the Christians in Rome, written several years before the events discussed here:
"And I know that when I do come to you, I shall come in the abundant blessing of Christ." Romans 15:29 (AMP)
In the city of Tyre:
"And having looked up the disciples there, we remained with them for seven days. Prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem."
Acts 21:4 (AMP) Note that the Amplified Bible normally shows when it adds a word for comprehension purposes, by placing it in [square brackets].
In Caesarea:
"While we were remaining there for some time, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
"And coming to [see] us, he took Paul's belt and with it bound his own feet and hands and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit: The Jews at Jerusalem shall bind like this the man who owns this belt, and they shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles (heathen)."
Acts 21:10-11 (AMP)
Problem 5:
How did Paul respond to these warnings from Holy Spirit? With a certain amount of arrogance. That was the same problem that led him to separate from Barnabas, and the enemy now used the same trick to get him to speak destruction upon his own ministry.
Our words have great authority to either build up or break down, both our own and others' circumstances. Paul actually declared what would happen to him. As we will see, this was not God's plan for him.
"Then Paul replied, What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart like this? For I hold myself in readiness not only to be arrested and bound and imprisoned at Jerusalem, but also [even] to die for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13 (AMP)
Problem 6:
Once we ignore wisdom or warnings from God we effectively place ourselves in the hands of the enemy to be manipulated or tricked into making further serious errors or mistakes. These are often painful, sometimes fatal, and can severely hamper or limit subsequent ministry.
By this time Paul had already been teaching that it was no longer necessary to observe the ceremonial laws of Judaism, such as circumcision.
Here are some examples from letters he had written before his trip to Jerusalem:
"For Christ is the end of the Law..." Romans 10:4 (AMP)
"Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God." 1 Corinthians 7:18-19
Many years before, Paul had attended the first Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) after challenging some Judeans who had been teaching that it was necessary for Gentile converts to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses.
During that meeting Peter recounted how Holy Spirit had fallen on the uncircumcised Gentiles in the house of Cornelius just the same as on the Jews elsewhere, and how God had "cleansed their hearts by faith." Acts 15:9b
"Why," he continued, addressing James and the elders, "do you try to test God by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, such as neither our forefathers nor we were able to endure?" Acts 15:10 (AMP)
The council agreed with Holy Spirit not to lay any further burden on new believers, other than that they should abstain from eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols (years later, Paul said that was not a problem, either), not eat meat that had been strangled, and to abstain from sexual impurity. Circumcision or non-circumcision was no longer an issue.
Problem 7:
When he arrived in Jerusalem some years later, however, circumcision had somehow become a hot item of contention again. He was persuaded that his teaching was divisive and that, to show that he didn't believe or practice this, he was to take four men with him to the temple and pay for their purification under the law to show that he still observed the law!
Acts 21:18-24 (AMP)
[18] "On the next day Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders of the church were present [also].
[19] "After saluting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
[20] "And upon hearing it, they adored and exalted and praised and thanked God. And they said to [Paul], You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are enthusiastic upholders of the [Mosaic] Law."
Problem 8: There are lots of Christian converts from Judaism who are still following the Law.
[21] "Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs."
Problem 9: They have been told that Paul teaches against following the Law.
Problem 10: They have not been told that this was in agreement with a formal, council decision some years prior. Whose fault is that? James, and the elders.
[22] "What then [is best that] should be done? A multitude will come together, for they will surely hear that you have arrived."
Problem 11: And that is exactly what happened
[23] "Therefore do just what we tell you. With us are four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.
[24] "Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses [for the temple offering], so that they may have their heads shaved. Thus everybody will know that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in observance of the Law.
Problem 12: The church leaders want Paul to enter into deception and pretend that he doesn't teach what he has been teaching, in accord with what Jesus had instructed him.
Acts 21:26 (AMP)
[26] "Then Paul took the [four] men with him and the following day [he went through the rites of] purifying himself along with them. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each of them."
Problem 13: Paul went along with the deception!
How could something like this happen?
a) Paul did not honour the special connection God set up between him and Barnabas, which gave the enemy power/advantage over him
b) Paul was then tempted (and succumbed) by a strong desire to go to Jerusalem
c) Paul ignored 3 attempts by Holy Spirit to change his mind.
d) Each failure to respond appropriately gave the enemy further access to harm and divert him from God's plan.
e) Paul had a practice of adapting to the religious climate wherever he was:
"To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.
"To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law."
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 (AMPC)
That looks good at first glance, in that he is not standing from a position of judgment, but it also allows people to think that he approves when they do wrong things. When he does the same wrong things himself, that sets the seal on the harm the enemy have planned for him.
Years earlier, he had encountered Timothy, a young man with a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him and help in the ministry.
"...and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, all of whom knew that his father was a Greek." Acts 16:3 (AMP)
Problem 14: Paul fell into the trap that the enemy had set for him, that he had confirmed that he was (unnecessarily) ready to endure.
"When the seven days were drawing to a close, some of the Jews from [the province of] Asia, who had caught sight of Paul in the temple, incited all the rabble and laid hands on him,
"Shouting, Men of Israel, help! [Help!] This is the man who is teaching everybody everywhere against the people and the Law and this place!
"Then the whole city was aroused and thrown into confusion, and the people rushed together; they laid hands on Paul and dragged him outside the temple, and immediately the gates were closed.
"Now while they were trying to kill him..." Acts 21:27, 28a, 30, 31a (AMPC)
Paul's untimely words were about to come to pass, except that God stepped in via the Roman garrison. He was arrested (and thereby rescued from the mob who wanted to kill him) and chained up in the barracks. One day passed.
A Confirmation of God's Intention to Use This For Good:
"And [that same] following night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, Take courage, Paul, for as you have borne faithful witness concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Acts 23:11 (AMPC)
This was not the way God had intended things to work out: Paul would still see Rome, but as a prisoner, instead of as a free, Roman citizen. His future was certain, but his effectiveness was waning because of his captivity.
In spite of his huge mistake, Paul was being recognised for taking a stand for Jesus while he was being rescued, as he stood on the steps of the barracks.
The next day a plot was formed to kill Paul, but God rescued him from that. He was moved to another gaol outside of Jerusalem, in Caesarea. He spent two years there in limbo.
Problem 15: Paul is no longer able to minister freely after his arrest.
There is no record of his ministry in that time, except that the governor and his Jewish wife liked to listen to Paul expounding the things of God. Acts 24
When a new governor was installed, he planned to curry favour with the Jewish leaders by returning Paul to Jerusalem to stand trial there. Another plot to kill Paul was under way. Acts 25:3
Problem 16: In Caesarea, God sets up one more rescue, but Paul unknowingly preempts it.
The new governor holds a hearing in Caesarea with authorities from Jerusalem present, "bringing many grave accusations against him which they were not able to prove." Acts 25:7b. The governor then asks Paul if he is willing to attend trial before him in Jerusalem.
There is no place in Scripture where Paul shows that he recognises that he made any mistakes, not even the critical one he was about to make now. Recognising mistakes and apologising for them before God is one important step in freeing someone from the subtle and more obvious attacks of the enemy. Without that, the subtle 'wisdom' that the enemy feed in replaces the wisdom of God.
God has now rescued Paul from death at least five times during his time in ministry - can They do it again?
Paul had written to the Christians in Rome that "...I shall come in the abundant blessing of Christ."
Jesus had appeared to Paul and confirmed, "Take courage, Paul, for as you have borne faithful witness concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."
What could go wrong if he stopped trusting in his own abilities and started trusting in God's remarkable ability to bring good things to pass?
It is in these stressful times, when things have seemed to go wrong one after another, that ongoing trust in God is crucial. It's easy to see in hindsight, but trust in God through the unknown is definitely the one thing that They want us to have, more than anything else.
Fearing that his fate rests in the hands of the Jews in Jerusalem who want him dead, Paul declares his innocence of any wrong-doing before the Jews, and in a mild panic appeals to Caesar, which means that he must be tried in Rome. Acts 25:10-12.
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” (ESV)
A few days later King Agrippa arrived to pay his respects to Festus the governor, and the two discuss Paul's situation. In order to have some details to send to Caesar about the charges laid against Paul, they invite him to address them. Paul speaks eloquently about the Messiah, the resurrection from the dead, his call from God and the attacks of the Jews.
"Because of these things the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to do away with me.
"To this day I have had the help which comes from God..." Acts 26:21-22a (AMP)
Paul's message was well received, and even included a salvation appeal:
" 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:27-29 (ESV)
After everyone leaves Agrippa and Festus are left discussing what they had heard.
"...they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26:31b-32 (ESV) Emphasis added.
He went to Rome in chains and spent at least two years under house arrest. His influence and his effectiveness waned and we hear no more of him because he went against what Holy Spirit was telling him.
Problem 17: Paul’s Duplicity
Circumcised Timothy in Acts 16:1-4 because of the Jews.
In Galatians 5:2-4 Paul says that circumcision is of no (religious) benefit, and anyone circumcised (for religious reasons) has to observe the whole Law.
Agreed to pretend that he was living under Law in Acts 21 and undertake purification rites in the temple
Paul describes himself as, “The prisoner of the Lord,” but in reality he was a prisoner of his own willful foolishness, starting with separation from his God-appointed partner, Barnabas.
Problem 18: James' Duplicity:
requested Paul to pretend that he still lived according to the Law, in Acts 21.
addressed him as "brother" at the beginning of his wrongful request.
This imposes a seemingly binding, religious tone upon the relationship, whereby the one who uses the term "brother" calls on the fake, familial relationship that "brother" implies to make an improper request. I have repeatedly seen this happening where certain church-connected people who normally call me by name suddenly call me "brother" as they ask me for money or a similar, undeserved favour.