2 Timothy 4:18

18. Preserve me Whether from death, as at his first arraignment, or through death, as at his second. For the real preserve consists in securing his transit unto his heavenly kingdom. And so rich in both arraignments is St. Paul’s triumph, that he finishes his account of this first one with a doxology, as he had (in 2 Timothy 4:6-8) the second with a pean.

It seems surprising, at first, that while St. Paul is in prison and on trial for life for his Christianity any of his fellow Christian preachers should dare to visit and associate with him, bringing him aid and carrying his letters. But, similarly, Socrates in Athens while condemned as a false teacher was visited by his disciples in his prison and discoursed with them at length upon his philosophy. So Christian martyrs, subsequent to St. Paul, as St. Ignatius and Cyprian, were allowed visits and correspondence. The pagan satirist, Lucian, in the early half of the second century describes the career of a Christian itinerant in his day, named Peregrinus, and narrates the eager zeal of Christians in ministering to his wants in prison. “From early dawn old women, widows, and orphan children might be seen waiting about the doors of his prison; while their eminent men, by feeing the keepers, were allowed to pass the night with him in his prison… Moreover, deputies came from certain cities of Asia from the Christian associations to assist, advise, and console the man. They show, indeed, incredible dispatch in any undertaking which would aid a common interest. Sums of money so large were contributed as to furnish no little revenue to Peregrinus.” The government seemed satisfied with destroying the apparent leader, expecting that his followers would come to nothing; and the immediate jailers were ready to grant privileges for a consideration.