Acts 24:22-27 – But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. 24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
“But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”” Some interpret this verse to mean that Felix, before Paul spoke to him, already had knowledge of the Way that was greater than most. Others think that this verse means that after Paul had witnessed to him then he gained in knowledge of the Way. The first is possible because Felix was married to Drusilla, who was a Jewess. She may have had contact with, and so some knowledge of, what Jewish Christians believed. She may have shared that knowledge with Felix. However that may be giving Drusilla too much credit for her interest in God and His teachings. It would seem that, even if Felix had some knowledge of the way, his knowledge had increased after hearing Paul.
Felix adjourned the meeting, he said he did so as to get more information about this matter from Lysias. Perhaps Felix thought that Lysias could help him make a sure decision. In truth, Lysias could have provided some information to help. He could have witnessed that the Jews had not calmly and judiciously taken Paul into custody in a benign manner, as they had presented. No, they were going to murder him without a trial. That would have shown that the Jews were misrepresenting their case and their intent. Also, Lysias could have testified that the reason the transference of Paul was expedited was because of a plot by the Jews to kill him.
“So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” The command concerning Paul was that he was not to be released but to remain in the castle. However he was to have extreme liberty around the premises and was allowed to have friends come to provide for him and visit him. It was a very loose imprisonment, perhaps similar to what we know as house arrest, only Paul would not be at a home of his choosing.
“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” “Some days” is an undefined period of time. Some think it usually meant less than a month, but that is not confirmed. Drusilla was with Felix when they called for Paul to speak them “concerning the faith in Christ.” Paul was not called to talk (directly) about his trial, but about his faith in Jesus. Paul’s heart must have skipped a beat at the opportunity. If Felix and Drusilla were truly interested in finding out more about the Way, they could have had no better person than Paul to do so.
“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”” They asked for Paul to explain the faith to them and he did not hold back. In our age when the Gospel message is too often whittled down to speaking only of love and the righteousness of Christ left out, Paul spoke the whole truth. We can be sure that Paul, who wrote so much about the grace of God being a free gift, spoke to them of the love of God and the free grace that is offered through Jesus. Here, what is mentioned, is that Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and about the judgement to come. These are all topics that include the responsibility to all who come to the Lord seeking grace. It is not responsibility of earning salvation, but of bearing witness of salvation by living in a way that shows appreciation for it. That appreciation is borne out of the genuine love of the Lord that is one’s heart and for the thankfulness for being saved from what no-one can save themselves from. Paul didn’t proclaim “love, love, love” without also teaching about the fruits of truly knowing and valuing the love of God.
Proving that Paul was speaking seriously to them about personal responsibility is the fact that Felix became afraid and sent Paul away. The originally word speaking of Felix’s fear can be translated as meaning to tremble. We get the work earthquake from the word. So Felix, in learning the true unmitigated Gospel, was shaking. Family, it had always been traditional to first share the law so that one knows why they need to be “saved.” When one is convinced of the horror and impotency of their own righteousness, then they are ready to run to the grace that God freely offers them. Now-a-days it is too popular to preach a watered down message to draw people in. However a watered down gospel is not the one true Gospel. (Galatians 1:6-9) For people to be saved, they must hear the whole truth and the truth is that we are responsible for our actions. Not for our salvation, but our actions, because what we do shows if we truly love God. And that has eternal implications.
“Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.” Illustrating what was known to those contemporary to Felix, he lived an evil life, he was hoping to be bribed. So much for having principles. No wonder he trembled as Paul spoke the truth to him.
After two years Felix was removed from duty. In short, history records that he was withdrawn from Israel because of his cruelty and corruption. He lived out the rest of his life in Rome and in the shame of his rule.
Drusilla was reported as killed in the Mt. Vesuvius eruption two years later. She died at a very young age, most likely no older than twenty one and possibly a few years younger than that.
Again we are confronted with the danger of delaying a commitment to Jesus. Felix was removed from power and from hearing from Paul any further. Drusilla was killed. Tragically history implies that they never came to know God’s grace as a believer. Family, praise God that we have responded to the grace of God and our eternity is to be with God forever. Praise God that we did not delay our acceptance of God’s grace until we had run out of time. However, what about our family and friends. Are we presenting the full gospel to them? Let’s pray that we have the opportunity and strength to do so, as the Holy Spirit leads. Yes, may it be so! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”