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Answer
Paul undertook at least three missionary journeys, traveling through Cyprus, Syria, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. He faced false accusations in Jerusalem, leading to his imprisonment in Caesarea and later in Rome. What occurred next remains uncertain. Some suggest that Paul’s journey from Caesarea to Rome during his initial Roman imprisonment marks his “fourth journey,” while others propose that he embarked on another missionary expedition following his release. The ambiguity lies in whether he was incarcerated once or twice. In 2 Timothy 4:16, Paul, penning from prison, mentions his “first” trial, and verse 17 implies a positive outcome, hinting at least two periods of imprisonment in Rome. It has been theorized that Paul’s fourth missionary journey commenced after his release from the initial imprisonment.
The Acts of the Apostles delineate Paul’s initial three missionary journeys, along with his initial trials, concluding with his first detention in Rome. Details post this period are primarily derived from Paul’s epistles, especially referencing the locations he cites in the letters composed during his subsequent imprisonment.
Potential destinations Paul may have visited include:
Crete «For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: », (Titus 1:5)
Corinth «Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. », (2 Timothy 4:20)
Miletus «Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. », (2 Timothy 4:20)
Macedonia—potentially Philippi «As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went int
o Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, », (1 Timothy 1:3)
Colossae «But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. », (Philemon 1:22)
Troas «The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. », (2 Timothy 4:13)
Ephesus (1 Timothy 3:14;1 Timothy 4:13)
Nicopolis «When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. », (Titus 3:12)
There is a tradition that Paul went to Spain, but there is no record of this in the Bible. He did mention to the Romans that he wanted to take the gospel to Spain «whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. », (Romans 15:24,28) «When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. », (Romans 15:24,28). Clement of Rome’s AD 95 writings say Paul went to “the farthest limits of the West,” which could mean Spain or possibly the United Kingdom, and the Muratorian Canon (AD 180) says Paul went from Rome to Spain.
It is believed that Paul’s second arrest brought his fourth missionaryJourney to an end. He was sent to Mamertine Prison, which was much rougher than being kept in house arrest in his own lodgings. During his second Roman imprisonment, Paul knew the time of his departure from this world was near «For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. », (2 Timothy 4:6). He was cared for by Luke «Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. », (2 Timothy 4:11) and Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-17) but abandoned by many others. Nero was on a rampage against Christians in Rome and, if the tradition is true, Paul was beheaded at Nero’s order.
