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2. Luke added his commentary to the situation by saying that Felix had a “more exact knowledge about the Way.” In other words, Felix was well acquainted with Christianity (“the Way”) to be able to discern the truthfulness of Paul’s defense.

3. In fact, Felix had a “more exact” knowledge about Christianity then even Tertullus supposed.

a) Felix was governor over Judea and Samaria. He certainly would have heard all that took place in Judea and Samaria concerning Jesus (Mat 2:1; Luk 23:5) and the apostles (Act 2:14; 8:1; 9:31; 10:37).

b) Felix was located in Caesarea (Act 23:33), the residence of Philip the evangelist (Act 8:40; 21:8) and the Roman centurion Cornelius (Act 10:1).

c) Felix no doubt heard from his Jewess wife, Drusilla, about the Christian community in the midst of the “chosen people” (Act 24:24).

4. Even though Felix was most likely persuaded by Paul’s legal and religious defense, he wanted to win the favor of the Jews (cf. Act 24:27).

5. Therefore, Felix deferred a ruling by stating that he would decide the case when Lysias the commander arrived. History never records such a meeting.

6. Such a deferment was hypocritical because Claudius Lysias had already given his testimony that he “found [Paul] to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment” (Act 23:29).

B. Superficial Kindness Toward Paul (23)

1. Felix could not let Paul go because it would infuriate the Jews. So, he commanded that Paul be kept in custody in the Governor’s palace.

2. However, because Paul was most likely innocent, Felix gave him a certain amount of freedom under military arrest (contrasted with common imprisonment or freedom by bail).

3. This freedom allowed Paul’s friends (Caesarean believers and others) to minister to him while imprisoned. Many prisoners died in Roman prisons for lack of provisions and care.

4. This was a superficial kindness because Paul should have been released. Instead, Felix was playing politics with the apostle Paul through his first non-decision.

II. SECOND NON DECISION (24-25)

A. Summoned Paul Again (24)

1. A few days later, Felix sent for Paul to speak with him. Luke recorded that Felix was accompanied by Drusilla, his wife.

a) Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who “laid hands” on some of the Christian leaders as well as martyred James (Act 12:1-2). This same Herod was struck by an angel of the Lord and was eaten by worms (Act 12:21-23).

b) She was married to Azizus, king of Emesa, Syria. But Felix sought the magical arts of a magician (perhaps Simon cf. Act 8:9ff) in order to lure her to be his third wife.

c) Together Felix and Drusilla had a son named Agrippa, who along with his mother perished in the eruption of Mt Vesuvius years later.

d) Drusilla was of Hebrew birth (“a Jewess”) but violated the OT Law in marrying a Gentile.

2. Being a Jewess and having Herod as her father, she was knowledgeable about the group of Christians named, “the Way.”

a) Some manuscripts suggest that it was Drusilla who prodded Felix into speaking with Paul.

b) Nevertheless Luke recorded that the conversation between them concerned faith in Christ Jesus.

c) This was the second time Felix had the gospel presented to him by Paul, but in a more detailed way.

B. Sent Paul Away (25)

1. The conversation was catalogued as a discussion about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. It centered on the gospel (cf. Joh 16:8).

a) In regard to righteousness, Paul would have outlined God’s righteousness over against man’s lack of righteousness (Rom 3:10, 23). Yet Christ died on the cross not only to give the sinner forgiveness of sins, but also to impute His righteousness to the believing sinner (Rom 3:21-22; 4:5).

b) In regard to self-control (egkrateia - restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires; Gal 5:23; 2Pe 1:6), it was a major topic spoken of by Greek philosophers. However, the Scriptures are clear that it is because of man’s sinful nature that he lacks self-control (2Ti 3:1-5). It is self-control that is needed to keep from sin and lust. This aspect may have convicted the couple of their adulterous relationship.

c) In regard to the judgment to come, Paul would have spoken of God’s righteous indignation and judgment toward all unrighteousness (Rom 1:18; 2:5). In addition, he would have shared that exercising faith in Christ’s death and resurrection would save the believing sinner “from the wrath of God through Him” (Rom 5:9-10).

2. Felix was surely convicted because he became “frightened.” The Greek word is emphobos and means to put in a state of fear or terror. This hard, wicked, immoral, and ruthless man was put into a state of terror through the gospel.

a) As far as Felix was concerned, the conversation was over. Felix sent Paul away for a second time. Once again Felix failed to make the right decision by making his second non-decision. However, Felix’s non-decision was in regard to the eternal welfare of his soul before God.

b) Felix gave the classic deflection stating that he would summon Paul when he found time.

c) Drusilla’s reaction was not recorded, but it can be surmised that possibly she too was convicted and frightened by the gospel message. However, it is hoped that she turned to Christ for the eternal comfort also in the gospel.

III. THIRD NON-DECISION (26-17)

A. Sought Monetary Gain (26)

1. Felix had a secondary motive for sending Paul away. The corrupted governor was hoping to receive money (chrêma – sum of money, also a bribe) from the apostle Paul for his freedom (which Felix probably would not have given him anyway).

2. But Paul would not think of making an illegal bribe according to Roman Law or God’s Law. For Scripture warns of both taking bribes (Exo 23:8 cf. Deu 10:17; Pro 15:27; Pro 29:4) and giving bribes (Psa 26:10).

3. Yet Felix would send for Paul quite often to converse with him. It is doubtful that the conversations ever turned to spiritual things. Felix’s motives remained materialistic.

B. Succeeded by Festus (27)

1. These superficial conversations between Felix and Paul continued for two years. In those two years, Felix never made a decision on Paul’s case or Paul’s gospel.

2. It would not have been a stretch to suggest that perhaps the Jews paid a bribe to Felix to keep Paul imprisoned. Either way, Felix left Paul imprisoned, wishing to do the Jews a favor. This was Felix’s third non-decision.

3. Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus due to the fact that the Jewish contempt for Felix had reached a climax. Nero later reestablished Felix to his position. Nevertheless, Felix had wasted his important opportunities and he vanished from history.

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Woeful Will of God (God’s Sovereignty)

1. He did not write anything that we know of (prison epistle written when he gets to Rome.

2. Disciples came and ministered to his physical needs.

a) There can be little doubt that Paul ministered to their spiritual needs.

b) Paul continued to teach many in Jerusalem under arrest much like the end of Acts (Ac 28:30-31).

3. Accomplishing something even though not specifically recorded

4. Witnessed to Felix and Drusilla

5. We learned how to make a religious and legal defense

6. No doubt a number of guards may have been won for Christ.

B. Woeful Non-Decisions

1. Felix’s Example

a) Suspended Judgment (22) – Witless Choice – fear of men rather than a fear of God

b) Superficial Kindness Toward Paul (23) – Wily Motives – superficial outward appearances while having selfish motives.

c) Summoned Paul Again (24) – Wishful Thinking – Dabble in Christianity rather than dedicate ourselves to Christianity

d) Sent Paul Away (25) – Woeful Non-Decision – Sins of commission but also sins of omission.

e) Sought Monetary Gain (26) – Wrong Priorities – more concerned about this life and the worldly things in it than spiritual things.

f) Succeeded by Festus (27) – Wasted Opportunity – procrastination eventually results in no more opportunities.

2. Unbeliever (Heb 3:7-8a; 2Co 5:20)

3. Believer (John Mark)

C. Woefully Comforting Gospel

1. The Gospel frightens and comforts (Rom 1:18; Rom 2:5; Rom 5:9-10 cf. Joh 5:24)

2. Ministry frightens Ministry comforts.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516