Was Paul's Life Cut Short? EGW on Divine Providence

Yes, Paul's life was cut short as a result of the jealousy and envy of his own brethren in the faith, even though God in His providence had not ordained for the apostle's labors to end so earlyLP 231.1+1.

The Interruption of Paul's Labors

While the Lord directed the work and provided guidance throughout Paul's ministry, human choices played a significant role in the timing of his deathLP 194.2+1. Although God had plans for Paul to continue his work for the salvation of souls, he did not work a miracle to counteract the specific train of circumstances created by the course of the church leaders at JerusalemLP 231.1+1. Their lack of sympathy and the lingering prejudice against him led to the situation that ultimately resulted in his arrest and martyrdomAA 402.2+1.

Divine Providence and the Length of Life

• A Deferred Sentence: During his final trials, the force of Paul's words so impressed the emperor Nero that he initially deferred the decision, neither acquitting nor condemning himLP 328.3+1.

• Protection at Caesarea: On other occasions, God’s providence worked through secular leaders like Festus to prolong Paul's life by refusing to send him to Jerusalem for a biased trialSPCCSR 85.1+1.

• The Final Sacrifice: Eventually, Nero’s malice against the apostle increased because members of the imperial household were converted, and he determined to cut short Paul's life as soon as a pretext could be foundLP 328.3+1.

The Apostle's Perspective

In his final days, immured in a damp dungeon, Paul himself sensed that his life would be cut short before he could see his beloved son in the gospel, Timothy4T 352.1+1. Despite this, he looked back over his well-fought field of life with the assurance that he had finished his course and kept the faith 2 Timothy 4:71888 992.2+1.

The Saviour's words of reproof to the men of Nazareth apply in the case of Paul, not only to the unbelieving Jews, but to his own brethren in the faith. Had the leaders i...— LP 231.1 (1883)

...rd the apostle, and accepted him as one specially called of God to bear the gospel to the Gentiles, the Lord would have spared him to them. God had not ordained that Paul's labors should so soon end, but He did not work a miracle to ...— AA 417.2 (1911)

...isonment much more severe than the first, granting him little opportunity to preach the gospel; and he determined to cut short his life as soon as a plausible pretext could be found for so doing. Nero's mind was so impressed with the force of the apostle's words at his l...— LP 328.3 (1883)

While the apostle Paul was immured in prison walls that were reeking with dampness, himself a sufferer from infirmities, he greatly desired to see Timothy, his son ...— 4T 352.1 (1885)