What jail was Paul in when Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans?

Answer 1

The question makes two assumptions that must be answered in answering this question. The first is that, at the time of writing, Paul was in a jail; the second is that Tertius wrote Romans.

That Tertius wrote Romans has some support, as this is what Romans 16:22 says. However, Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) says chapter 16, in its entirety, is disputed. He says a nineteenth century theory was that this was a separate letter of commendation for Phoebe, addressed to Ephesus. From the evidence of some early Church Fathers, and of some early Vulgate manuscripts, it is possible that the original Epistle to the Romans ended at chapter 14, with no chapters or 16. Regardless of chapter 15, chapter 16 could have been written, as a separate letter, by Tertius, without affecting Paul's authorship of the Epistle.

I would find it surprising that Paul had so many good friends in Rome, a city he had never visited, and that the Romans would have been glad to hear from so many of Paul’s associates – Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus and Quartus. I also note that Stanley E. Porter (As It Is Written) says that Paul appears to have attained a relatively high level in the Greek school system, so had no need of an amanuensis (especially sitting his days out in jail, if that had been the case).

In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul says that he wishes to visit Rome to preach there (1:15). He speaks of himself as a slave and apostle of Christ, but makes no mention of being held prisoner. It would be strange if Paul was writing to raise the hopes of the Romans that he would soon come, if his future was in doubt. Paul wrote Romans himself, at a time when he knew he was free to travel; not when he was held in prison.