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In his Epistle to the Romans, at verse 15:24, Paul says that he that he would stop over in Rome on his way to Spain. He also hoped to visit Rome to spread the gospel there (verse 1:15). Indeed, the Muratorian Fragment states that Paul travelled from Rome to Spain, and Clement of Rome, writing about 96 CE (1 Clement), says that Paul lastly preached in the far reaches of the west (Spain), and Paul would surely have stopped over in Rome before proceeding to Spain. From these sources, it would appear that Paul made a commitment to visit Rome for the reasons stated, and kept that promise before travelling on to Spain.
Acts of the Apostles, on the other hand, says that Paul was taken as a prisoner to Rome and spent to whole years there, under house arrest. This voyage seems to be a little early for the tradition that Nero had Paul executed in Rome in 65 CE, since it seems unlikely that Paul would have been tried, acquitted of the charges against him, freed and then later arrested and executed. However, the historicity of the execution tradition is not what is in question, but whether Paul went to Rome of his own free will or under arrest.
The voyage and shipwreck described in Acts have been doubted by many theologians, including Hans Joachim Schoeps, who says (Das Judenchristentum) that Acts energetically cultivates the creation of legends and reshapes persons and events according to its own standards and that it has been believed much too readily. This does not mean that the account in Acts is proven to be wrong, but it is quite unlikely to have happened. Thus, we fall back on the reasons given by Paul himself.
What else can I help you with?
Was Saint Paul beheaded?
Yes, Saint Paul was beheaded. It occurred in Rome under orders of Emperor Nero.
What saint had their head chopped off?
Many saints had their heads removed. Here are a few examples:John the Baptist Saint Paul Saint George Saint Denis Saint Valentine of Rome
Why was Saint Paul sent to Rome?
St. Paul was being tried by the Roman governor of Israel. He told them that, since he was a Roman citizen by birth, he had a right under Roman law to appeal to the emperor in Rome. He was thus sent to Rome for trial.
Why did Saint Paul travel from Jerusalem to Rome?
St. Paul was being tried by the Roman governor of Israel. He told them that, since he was a Roman citizen by birth, he had a right under Roman law to appeal to the emperor in Rome. He was thus sent to Rome for trial.
What did Saint Paul the Apostle do in Rome?
He spent his time in Rome in prison awaiting trial and execution. He used the time to continue writing his letters, or epistles, to his followers.
Where is Saint Paul's Basilica?
Saint Paul's basilica is located in Rome.
Where were Saint Peter and Saint Paul martyred?
Both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome.
Where was Saint Paul killed?
St. Paul was beheaded in Rome.
Where in Rome is Saint Paul's head?
The heads of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul are located in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the church of the pope.
Where is Saint Paul's tomb?
The tomb thought to be that of Saint Paul is in the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
Who is the first pope to visit Rome?
Saint Peter was the first pope in Rome.
Was Saint Paul beheaded?
Yes, Saint Paul was beheaded. It occurred in Rome under orders of Emperor Nero.
Why is Saint Paul a patron saint of Malta?
While being taken as a prisoner to Rome, the ship carrying Saint Paul was ship wrecked at Malta.
How was the death of Saint Paul?
Paul was beheaded in Rome under orders of Roman Emperor Nero.
What year was saint paul born?
It is believed that Saint Paul was born in 5 A.D. in what is now Turkey. He died in 67 A.D., in what is likely Rome today.
What is the name of the region Saint Paul traveled in?
Saint Paul traveled in the Asian Minor before coming back to Rome to be executed by the Roman Emperor Nero.
Is Saint Paul of the Cross a martyr?
No. Paul died on October 18, 1775, at Rome, Italy of natural causes.
