Scripture: But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Acts 24:22-27 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, the high priest Ananias appears before Felix with his entourage of elders and the lawyer Tertullus. After ingratiating Felix, Tertullus presents the charges with the inflammatory characterization of Paul as the ringleader of a riotous sect, followed by a plea to examine Paul, which would corroborate the plaintiff’s accusations. Unhesitantly, Paul presents his defense, beginning with a confession of faith regarding the patriarchs, the Law and Prophets, and the resurrection of the dead to final judgment.
Then, noting his clear conscience before God and man, Paul shares his side of the events that led to his arrest and concludes his defense with similar rhetoric that incited the Jerusalem riot: “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day” (v.21b).
Today’s reading continues the narrative of Felix’s interrogation of Paul. Luke notes that Felix possessed satisfactory knowledge of the Way and thus delayed further hearings until the tribune Lysias arrived. Meanwhile, Felix graciously ordered Paul’s guard to grant Paul some liberties, including visitations from friends. Then, after some days, Felix summoned Paul to appear before him and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, to share more about Paul’s faith in Christ. But when Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix, feeling anxious, ordered Paul to leave with the assurance that he would continue to hear Paul when he had the time. So, over the next two years (until Porcius Festus replaced Felix as governor of Judea), Felix often conversed with Paul, hoping that Paul would offer a bribe for his release. Still, being the politician, Felix left Paul in prison to curry favor with the Jewish authorities.
Of historical note, Festus replaced Felix in 60 CE. Felix’s downfall resulted from his mishandling of civil unrest between the Jews and Greeks in Caesarea. In command of Syrian troops, Felix retaliated against the Jews, slaughtering them and plundering their wealth. The Roman seat of authority called him to account for his misgovernance and would have severely punished him if not for his brother, Pallas, who intervened and obtained Nero’s pardon.
Takeaway: Herod Aggripa’s youngest daughter, Drusilla, left her husband, King Azizus (who ruled a small territory in Syria), for Felix, believing him to provide her with higher social standing given his more notable governance. But Felix proved to be an ineffective governor, who many correctly anticipated would soon be replaced. Indeed, Felix revealed his lack of confidence in standing up to the religious leaders when he postponed Paul’s hearing because he wanted Lysias’ in-person testimony (when he had already received the tribune’s written report).
By Luke’s account, Felix, while philosophically intrigued with the Way’s orthodoxy (doctrines), found Paul’s discourse regarding its praxis (practice) to be overwhelming—stirring fear and anxiety. Meanwhile, Drusilla, who sought the pomp of royalty, had no patience for Paul’s challenging words that confronted her moral character. So Felix alone continued to listen to Paul. And being focused on self-preservation, Felix continued the charade of being interested in Paul’s instruction of the Way in the hope of receiving a bribe. Theologians speculate that Felix must have surmised Paul had access to money through either friends, family, or an inheritance. Regardless, Felix’s angling for bribes and plundering of the wealthy Cesarean Jews (see above historical note) revealed his true avarice character.
Our takeaway? Following Paul’s three teaching points (see v.25), the heart of his and our Gospel is the great exchange:
- Our sin for Christ’s righteousness;
- Our recklessness for his Spirit’s fruit of self-control;
- Our deserved coming judgment for his pardon.
Amazingly, our gracious Lord paid the extravagant price of his mortal life in exchange for our eternal lives through forgiveness and reconciliation. We can do nothing to earn it. Instead, we must receive this gift of new life in Christ by grace through faith in him (Ephesians 2:8). Still, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit to live righteous lives in Christ, bearing the fruit of self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) without fear of judgment. And the Holy Spirit will use people like Paul and us to speak his truth in love to one another (Ephesians 4:15) to aid our spiritual maturation so that we might glorify God by living the righteous life in Christ—a privilege that Paul embraced well.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who bore our sins in his body so that we might come under his righteousness into your presence. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who continues to mature us in bearing his fruit of self-control—and love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). Still, we confess that we have moments where we bristle when others call us out. So would you please help us exercise humility, grace, and a teachable spirit to witness our treasured righteous life in your Son to a hurting world? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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