Why was Paul bound with a chain when he spoke to the Jewish leaders in Rome?
Paul was bound with a chain for the hope of Israel. His appeal to the Jews in Jerusalem caused a riot, so Roman authorities took him into protective custody, and from there he had to appeal to Caesar, which led to his meeting Jewish leaders in Rome.
Les explains that Paul still carried a burden for Israel. Paul says, “for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” The reason he was arrested was that he appealed to the Jews back in Jerusalem, and it caused such a riot that he had to be brought under protective custody. From there he had to appeal to Caesar. When Jewish leaders came to him in Rome, the Romans gave him a fair amount of freedom to expound and testify the kingdom of God. Les defines the kingdom of God as the whole sphere under God’s sovereign control, while the kingdom of heaven is what had been promised to Israel and will yet come upon the earth. Paul covered the whole gamut and did not leave a stone unturned.
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
More Questions
Why was Paul bound with a chain for the hope of Israel?
Paul was bound with a chain because of 'the hope of Israel'; his appeal to the Jews at Jerusalem caused a riot, and he was taken into protective custody and eventually had to appeal to Caesar.