All the apostle Paul wanted to do was build up the churches he had helped to start and visit those he didn’t to make sure they were being given the truth and not being corrupted or hoodwinked by wolves in sheep’s clothing who were scratching itching ears or trying to take advantage of them. Even though Paul had been a rising star among the Pharisees, he was now considered their enemy, and they had pursued him from town to town in order to kill him for teaching that Jesus was the Messiah and preaching that salvation had been extended to the Gentiles.

There were also groups of Gentiles who wanted to kill him because of the impact of these churches on their idol-making industry. Now he found himself completely taken out of the ministry he felt compelled to pursue as he waited for his hearing with Caesar while under house arrest in Rome.

It may have been frustrating to be kept from what he felt was his primary vocation in life, but he rejoiced in the LORD, preached the gospel to his captors and spent his time corresponding with the churches in the area by letter. Two thousand years later, we are grateful that God gave Paul this time to write, for these letters have ministered to far more people than he could ever have reached had he spent the rest of his life making tents and visiting churches.

I try to limit each day’s study to under ten minutes in the hope of helping you develop a daily habit of connecting with the Lord through His revealed word. I pray that they are a blessing to you.