The Apostle Paul spent a great deal of his career chained to a Roman guard (Colossians 4:18). Can you imagine what it must have been like – for the guard? What had he been told about the apostle? That he was Jewish? Certainly. That he was a revolutionary? Probably. That he was dangerous? In the first century, Jew and revolutionary often went together, but they must have quickly learned there was something different about the apostle.
I have so many questions about this relationship. I don’t see Paul being a trouble-maker. Paul probably was just the opposite. As a Christian, he must have been interested in the welfare of his guardian. It was probably a very easy duty. It might have even been enjoyable! I’m sure Paul asked each guard questions about his welfare and his life. Where had he been stationed? Did he have a family? I think Paul even asked the soldiers about their equipment for the apostle uses the soldier’s equipment to illustrate the Christian life. I like to think about the guard’s smile as he listened to Paul as the apostle dictated his letter to the church in Ephesus:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:11 – 17).