The Execution of Paul

2022-03-19

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6)

What do we know about the apostle Paul’s death? According to 2 Timothy 4:13, Paul left his coat in Troas. Some assume that this is because he was arrested there and had no way of bringing it with him. This is what we know from ancient extra-biblical historical documents.

Clement of Rome

Through envy Paul, too, showed by example the prize that is given to patience: seven times was he cast into chains; he was banished; he was stoned; having become a herald, both in the East and in the West, he obtained the noble renown due to his faith; and having preached righteousness to the whole world, and having come to the extremity of the West, and having borne witness before rulers, he departed at length out of the world, and went to the holy place, having become the greatest example of patience. (Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians, 5:5-7; http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-hoole.html)

Here, we see Paul had given testimony to Christ before rulers before he was martyred. This would have been recorded between 80-140 A.D. (http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/1clement.html).

Ignatius of Antioch

Ye are the high-road of those that are on their way to die unto God. Ye are associates in the mysteries with Paul, who was sanctified, who obtained a good report, who is worthy of all felicitation; in whose foot-steps I would fain be found treading, when I shall attain unto God; who in every letter maketh mention of you in Christ Jesus. (Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians, 12:2, http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-lightfoot.html)

Here, Ignatius alluded to the martyrdom of Paul. This would have been recorded in the early second century A.D. (http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/index.html).

Eusebius of Caesarea

It is probable indeed that as Nero was more disposed to mildness in the beginning, Paul’s defense of his doctrine was more easily received; but that when he had advanced to the commission of lawless deeds of daring, he made the apostles as well as others the subjects of his attacks. (Eusebius, Church History, Book 2, Chapter 22, Paragraph 8; https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.vii.xxiii.html).

Here, we see that Paul was executed during Nero’s reign.

Quoting Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, Eusebius also mentioned that Peter and Paul were executed at the same time:

And that they both suffered martyrdom at the same time is stated by Dionysius, bishop of Corinth,553 in his epistle to the Romans,554 in the following words: “You have thus by such an admonition bound together the planting of Peter and of Paul at Rome and Corinth. For both of them planted and likewise taught us in our Corinth.555 And they taught together in like manner in Italy, and suffered martyrdom at the same time.”556 I have quoted these things in order that the truth of the history might be still more confirmed. (Eusebius, Church History, Book 2, Chapter 25, Paragraph 8; https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.vii.xxvi.html).

These quotations are estimated to be written between the years 300-340 A.D. (https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/eusebius.html).

Tertullian

Tertullian, states that “Paul wins his crown in a death like John’s” (The Prescription Against Heretics XXXVI, early third century; https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian11.html). John the Baptist died by beheading according to the Scriptures (Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16, 27; Luke 9:9). The context distinguishes between this John and the apostle of the same name. Later writers also affirm the beheading of Paul.