I had an excellent class on Paul when I took theology and, of course, I have read his epistles almost daily.
However, when one is older, one begins to think of difference things, seeing nuances perhaps not seen as a younger person. St. Paul, unless he was shipwrecked, had a plan.
He first went to the Jews, even the synagogues, and preached to his own people.
When they refused to listen, he went to the market place and preached to the crowd of gentiles.
Then, he would make converts among that group, who would take him in and he would teach and work from his new friends' homes.
Sometimes, some of the people were already Christian and invited him in.
When St.Paul was in Rome, he was under house arrest for two years, a house he rented with his own money.
But, what struck me recently were all the people who came and went into Paul's house, hearing the Gospel and discussing it. They came to him. He could not go out, but he had an open door.
It must have been both hard and exhilarating.
Sounds like a blogosphere.
Here is the Scripture relating to that from Acts 28.
16] And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him. [17] And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; [18] Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me; [19] But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of. [20] For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.
[21] But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee. [22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is everywhere contradicted. [23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening. [24] And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.
[25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,
[26] Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. [27] For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. [28] Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. [29] And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.
[30] And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him, [31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.
