Paul stayed there two full yearsPaul's two-year stay in Rome marks a significant period in his ministry. This duration allowed him to continue his work of spreading the Gospel, even while under house arrest. The two years may have been a result of the Roman legal system's delays, as Paul awaited his trial before Caesar. This time frame is significant as it reflects God's providence in allowing Paul to minister freely despite his circumstances. It also aligns with the broader narrative of Acts, where God's plan unfolds through various trials and tribulations faced by the apostles.
in his own rented house
Paul's ability to live in a rented house, rather than a prison cell, indicates a degree of favor and provision. This arrangement allowed him to continue his ministry with some autonomy. The rented house symbolizes a place of refuge and ministry, much like the homes of early Christians who hosted church gatherings. It also reflects the Roman practice of allowing certain prisoners, especially those awaiting trial, to live under house arrest. This setting provided Paul with the opportunity to write several of his epistles, which continue to influence Christian theology and practice.
welcoming all who came to visit him
Paul's open-door policy exemplifies his commitment to the Gospel and his role as an apostle to the Gentiles. Despite his confinement, he remained accessible to anyone seeking to hear the message of Christ. This phrase highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel, as Paul welcomed Jews and Gentiles alike. It also reflects the early Christian practice of hospitality, which was crucial for the spread of Christianity. Paul's welcoming nature is reminiscent of Jesus' own ministry, where He invited all to come to Him. This openness allowed for the continued growth of the early church and the strengthening of believers in Rome.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe Apostle Paul, a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. At this point, he is under house arrest in Rome.
2.
RomeThe capital of the Roman Empire, a significant center for early Christianity. Paul's presence here marks the spread of the Gospel to the heart of the empire.
3.
Paul's Rented HouseA place where Paul lived under house arrest, yet he continued his ministry by welcoming visitors and teaching them about Jesus Christ.
4.
VisitorsIndividuals who came to see Paul, including both believers and seekers, whom Paul taught and encouraged in the faith.
5.
Two Full YearsThe duration of Paul's house arrest in Rome, during which he continued his ministry despite his confinement.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in MinistryDespite being under house arrest, Paul continued to minister and teach. This teaches us the importance of perseverance in our own ministry efforts, regardless of circumstances.
Hospitality and OpennessPaul welcomed all who came to him. We are encouraged to be hospitable and open to sharing the Gospel with others, regardless of their background.
Utilizing OpportunitiesPaul used his time in confinement to further the Gospel. We should look for opportunities to serve and witness in every situation we find ourselves in.
Faithfulness in AdversityPaul's faithfulness during his imprisonment is a model for us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when facing trials.
Impact of Personal WitnessPaul's personal interactions with visitors in Rome demonstrate the powerful impact of one-on-one ministry and personal witness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 28:30?
2.How does Acts 28:30 demonstrate Paul's commitment to spreading the Gospel message?
3.What can we learn from Paul's hospitality during his "two full years" in Rome?
4.How does Paul's situation in Acts 28:30 connect with Jesus' Great Commission?
5.How can we apply Paul's perseverance in Acts 28:30 to our own ministry?
6.What role does hospitality play in sharing the Gospel, as seen in Acts 28:30?
7.Why did Paul remain in Rome for two years according to Acts 28:30?
8.How does Acts 28:30 reflect on the early Christian mission?
9.What significance does Paul's house arrest have in Acts 28:30?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 28?
11.Given the lack of Roman archival records, how certain can we be that Paul’s house arrest in Acts 28:16 and 30–31 happened exactly as recorded?
12.How do historical contexts affect biblical text interpretation?
13.What was Paul's age at death?
14.What comprises the Full Armor of God?What Does Acts 28:30 Mean
Paul stayed there- The Spirit-empowered perseverance of the apostle fulfills Jesus’ earlier promise: “Take courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
- Though under house arrest (Acts 28:16), Paul is not sidelined; his very location becomes a strategic outpost for the gospel, echoingGenesis 50:20—what men intend for limitation, God turns to salvation.
-Philippians 1:12–13, written during this confinement, confirms that “my chains in Christ have become clear throughout the whole palace guard,” proving that physical boundaries cannot restrain the Word (2 Timothy 2:9).
two full years- Scripture stresses the duration to showcase God’s perfect timing; the Rome mission is neither rushed nor random (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
- Two years give Paul opportunity to:
• Compose letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), now foundational for church doctrine.
• Disciple believers who carry the message far beyond Rome, reminiscent ofActs 19:10 where “all who lived in Asia heard the word.”
- The timeframe also satisfies Roman legal requirements, allowing his case to be heard before Caesar (Acts 25:11–12).
in his own rented house- Instead of a dank dungeon, God provides suitable lodging, testifying to His care (Philippians 4:19).
- Financial provision likely comes through believers (Philippians 4:15–18), illustrating communal stewardship.
- This setting normalizes gospel conversations—visitors step into a home, not a prison block, paralleling Lydia’s household gatherings inActs 16:15.
welcoming all- “All” underscores the gospel’s inclusivity—Jew and Gentile, elite and slave (Romans 1:14–16).
- Paul’s hospitality mirrors Christ’s: “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
- Practical outworking:
• Open-door counseling for discouraged believers.
• Evangelistic discussions with seeking skeptics (Acts 28:23).
• Ongoing discipleship, forming a Rome-based leadership core (Colossians 4:10–14).
who came to visit him- Though chained, Paul remains the spiritual initiator; listeners travel to him much like the nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 2:2–3).
- God directs human traffic—soldiers guarding him hear, seekers find, leaders learn (Philippians 1:13; 4:22).
- The arrangement foreshadows Christ’s followers drawing near in every age, finding truth wherever God’s servant resides (Matthew 5:14–16).
summaryActs 28:30 reveals God turning house arrest into a headquarters for mission. Over two full years Paul, settled in a rented home supplied by the body of Christ, receives everyone God sends, discipling believers and evangelizing seekers. Boundaries become bridges, and Rome hears the gospel unfiltered. The verse assures today’s believer that no circumstance is beyond God’s redemptive reach and no limitation can silence His Word.
(30)
And Paul dwelt two whole years . . .--On the probable incidents of this period, see
Excursuson the Later Years of St. Paul's Life. The word translated "hired house" (the exact equivalent for the Latin
meritorium,or
conductum) means rather a
lodging (as in
Acts 28:23) or
apartment,and does not imply that he occupied a whole house. The words that follow exactly describe his position. He was a prisoner, and therefore was not allowed to go out to preach in the synagogues, or the "churches" in the houses of this or that disciple, or the open places of the city, but his friends were allowed free access to him, and in this way there was probably a wider and more effectual opening for his personal influence than if he had spoken publicly, and so exposed himself to the risk of an organised antagonism. What seemed at first a hindrance to his work was so ordered, as he afterwards acknowledged, that it fell out "rather unto the furtherance of the gospel" (
Philippians 1:12).
Verse 30.- He abode for
Paul dwelt, A.V. and T.R.;
dwelling for
house, A.V.;
went for
came. A.V.
Two whole years.
Διετία occurs also in
Acts 24:27, and
διετής in
Matthew 2:16;
τριετία in
Acts 20:31. These forms are frequent in the LXX.
His own hired dwelling;
ἰδίῳ μισθώματι, only here. The word properly means "hire," the price paid for the use of anything, and then by metonymy "the thing which is hired." It occurs frequently in the LXX. in the sense of" hire" or" wages;"
e.g. ties. 2:12;
Deuteronomy 23:18, etc. This may be the
ξενία spoken of in ver. 23, or he may have removed from thence into stone house more commodious for gathering Jews and Christians around him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[Paul] stayed thereἘνέμεινεν(Enemeinen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1696:To remain (abide) in, abide by, maintain, persevere in. From en and meno; to stay in the same place, i.e. persevere.two full yearsδιετίαν(dietian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1333:From dietes; a space of two years.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.his ownἰδίῳ(idiō)Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2398:Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.rented house,μισθώματι(misthōmati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3410:A rented house, hired dwelling. From misthoo; a rented building.welcomingἀπεδέχετο(apedecheto)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 588:To receive, welcome, entertain (with hospitality), embrace. From apo and dechomai; to take fully, i.e. Welcome, approve.allπάντας(pantas)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.whoτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.cameεἰσπορευομένους(eisporeuomenous)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1531:To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter.to [visit]πρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.him.αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
Links
Acts 28:30 NIVActs 28:30 NLTActs 28:30 ESVActs 28:30 NASBActs 28:30 KJV
Acts 28:30 BibleApps.comActs 28:30 Biblia ParalelaActs 28:30 Chinese BibleActs 28:30 French BibleActs 28:30 Catholic Bible
NT Apostles: Acts 28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
