Was Paul afraid to go to Rome even though it was persecuting Christians?
Paul was not afraid, even though the pagan Roman Empire was beginning to turn on Christianity. He had appealed to Rome after a year and a half imprisoned in Caesarea, and he sailed there. The account presents him entering the capital almost without fear.
Les explains that Paul had to appeal to Rome after spending a year and a half in prison in Caesarea, so he was now on a ship headed for Rome. Les finds it almost amazing that this little Jew, in the face of everything, could go almost without fear right into the very capital of the pagan Roman Empire, which was beginning to turn on Christianity. Les also notes that Rome generally respected and protected the ancient Jewish religion; even the tithes and offerings sent to the temple from across the empire were never intercepted, and Rome gave them safe protection. But Rome began to persecute Christianity because it seemed new rather than ancient, and because Christians claimed a king with power above Rome, which infuriated the Romans. Thus Paul's journey to Rome was made without the fear one might expect.
More Questions
Was the Roman Empire already beginning to persecute Christianity when Paul traveled to Rome?
At the time Paul went to Rome, the Roman Empire was beginning to turn against Christianity.