CHAPTER 24
Verse 1. And after five days. This time was occupied, doubtless, in
their receiving the command to go to Caesarea, and in making the necessary
arrangements. This was the twelfth day after his arrival at Jerusalem. See
Acts 24:11.
Ananias the High Priest. See Barnes "Acts 23:2".
Descended. Came down from Jerusalem. This was the usual language when
a departure from Jerusalem was spoken of. See Barnes "Acts 15:1".
With a certain orator named Tertullus. Appointed to accuse Paul. This
is a Roman name, and this man was doubtless a Roman. As the Jews were, to
a great extent, ignorant of the Roman customs and laws, and of their mode
of administering justice, it is not improbable that they were in the
habit of employing Roman lawyers to plead their causes.
Who informed the governor against Paul. Who acted as the accuser, or
who managed their cause before the governor.
{i} "Ananias" Acts 23:2; 25:2
{k} "who informed" Psalms 11:2
Verse 2. And when he was called forth. When Paul was called forth
from prison. See Acts 23:35.
We enjoy great quietness. This was said in the customary style of
flatterers and orators, to conciliate his favour, and is strikingly in
contrast with the more honest and straightforward introduction in the
reply of Paul, Acts 24:10. Though it was said for flattery, and though
Felix was in many respects an unprincipled man, yet it was true that his
administration had been the means of producing much peace and order in
Judea, and that he had done many things that tended to promote their
welfare. In particular, he had arrested a band of robbers, with
Eleazar at their head, whom he had sent to Rome to be punished,
(Jos. Ant. b. xx. chap. viii.;) he had arrested the Egyptian false
prophet, who had led out four thousand men into the wilderness,
and who threatened the peace of Judea, See Barnes "Acts 21:38";
and he had repressed a sedition which arose between the inhabitants
of Caesarea and of Syria. Jos. Jewish Wars, b. ii. chap. xiii. 2.
Very worthy deeds. Acts that tended much to promote the peace
and security of the people. He referred to those which have just
been mentioned as having been accomplished by Felix, particularly
his success in suppressing riots and seditions; and as, in the view
of the Jews, the case of Paul was another instance of a similar kind,
he appealed to him with the more confidence that he would suppress
that also.
By thy providence. By thy foresight, skill, vigilance, prudence.
{l} "worthy deeds" Psalms 12:2
{++} "providence" "prudence"
Verse 3. We accept it always. We admit that it is owing to your
vigilance, and we accept your interposition to promote peace, with
gratitude.
Always, and in all places. Not merely in your presence, but we always
acknowledge that it is owing to your vigilance that the land is secure.
"What we now do in your presence, we do also in your absence; we do not
commend you merely when you are present." (Wetstein.)
Most noble Felix. This was the title of office.
With all thankfulness. In this, there was probably sincerity,
for there was no doubt that the peace of Judea was owing to Felix.
But at the same time that he was an energetic and vigilant governor,
it was also true that he was proud, and avaricious, and cruel.
Josephus charges him with injustice and cruelty in the case of Jonathan,
the high priest, (Ant. b. xx. chap. viii. 5 ;) and Tacitus, (Hist. b.
v. ch. 9,) and Suetonius, (Life of Claudius, ch. 28,) concur in the
charge.
Verse 4. Be not further tedious unto thee. By taking up your time
with an introduction, and with commendation.
{&} "tedious" "troublesome"
{|} "clemency" "goodness"
Verse 5. We have found this man a pestilent fellow. \~loimon\~.
This word is commonly applied to a plague, or pestilence; and then to a
man who corrupts the morals of others, or who is turbulent, and an
exciter of sedition. Our translation somewhat weakens the force of the
original expression. Tertullus did not say that he was a pestilent
fellow, but that he was the very pestilence itself. In this he
referred to their belief, that he had been the cause of extensive
disturbances everywhere among the Jews.
And a mover of sedition. An exciter of tumult. This they pretended
he did by preaching doctrines contrary to the laws and customs of Moses,
and exciting the Jews to tumult and disorder.
Throughout the world. Throughout the Roman empire, and thus leading
the Jews to violate the laws, and to produce tumults, riots, and disorder.
And a ringleader. \~prwtostathn\~. This word occurs nowhere else in the
New Testament. It is properly a military word, and denotes one who stands
first in an army, a standard-bearer, a leader, or commander. The meaning
is, that Paul had been so active, and so prominent in preaching the
gospel, that he had been a leader, or the principal person, in extending
the sect of the Nazarenes.
Of the sect. The original word here \~airesewv\~ is the word from which
we have derived the term heresy. It is, however, properly translated
sect, or party, and should have been so translated in
Acts 24:14. See Barnes "Acts 5:17".
Of the Nazarenes. This was the name usually given to Christians by
way of contempt. They were so called because Jesus was of Nazareth.
{a} "fellow" Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13; 16:20; 17:6; 21:28; 1 Peter 2:18,19
{*} "sedition" "insurrection"
Verse 6. Who also hath gone about. Who has endeavoured.
To profane the temple. This was a serious, but unfounded charge. It
arose from the gross calumny of the apostle, when they pretended
that he had introduced Greeks into that sacred place, Acts 21:28.
To this charge the apostle replies in Acts 24:18.
And would have judged. That is, would have condemned and punished.
According to our law. Their law, which forbade the introduction of
strangers into the temple.
{+} "about" "attempted"
{b} "profane" Acts 19:37; 21:28
{++} "took" "seized"
{c} "according" John 18:31
Verse 7. But the chief captain, etc. Tertullus pretends that they
would have judged Paul righteously, if Lysias had not interposed; but
the truth was, that, without regard to law or justice, they would have
murdered him on the spot.
{d} "chief captain" Acts 21:33
{&} "chief captain" "commander"
Verse 8. Commanding his accusers, Acts 23:30.
By examining of whom. That is, the Jews who were then present.
Tertullus presented them as his witnesses of the truth of what he had
said. It is evident that we have here only the summary or outline of the
speech which Tertullus made. It is incredible that a Roman rhetorician
would have, on such an occasion, delivered an address so brief, so meager,
and so destitute of display as this. But it is doubtless a correct
summary of his address, and contains the leading points of the accusation.
It is customary for the sacred writers, as for other writers, to give
only the outline of discourses and arguments. Such a course was
inevitable, unless the New Testament had been swelled to wholly undue
proportions.
{e} "accusers" Acts 23:30
{|} "take knowledge" "Gain"
Verse 9. And the Jews also assented. The Jews who had accompanied
Tertullus to Caesarea. They had gone as the accusers of Paul; and
they bore testimony, when called upon, to the truth of all that the
orator had said. Whether they were examined individually or not,
is not declared. In whatever way their testimony was arrived at,
they confirmed unanimously the accusation which he had brought
against Paul.
Verse 10. Had beckoned unto him to speak. Either by a nod or by the
hand.
Hast been of many years. Felix and Cumanus had been joint-governors
of Judea; but after Cumanus had been condemned for his bad administration
of the affairs, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix.
This was about seven years before Paul was arraigned before him, and with
might be called many years, as he had been long enough there to become
acquainted the customs and habits of the Jews; and it might also be
called long in comparison with the short time which any of his immediate
predecessors had held the office. See Josephus, Ant. b. xx. ch.
vi., vii.
A judge. This word is evidently used here in the sense
of magistrate, or one appointed to administer the affairs of government.
To determine litigated matters was, however, one part of his office. It
is remarkable that Paul did not begin his speech as Tertullus had done,
by any flattering address, or by any of the arts of rhetoric. He founded
his plea on the justice of his cause, and on the fact, that Felix had
had so much experience on the affairs of Judea, that he was well
qualified to understand the merits of the case, and to
judge impartially. Paul was well acquainted with his character,
See Barnes "Acts 24:25" and would not by flattering words declare
that which was not strictly true.
I do the more cheerfully, etc. Since you are so well acquainted with
the customs and habits of the Jews, I the more readily submit the case to
your disposal. This address indicated great confidence in the justice of
his cause; and was the language of a man bold, fearless, and conscious of
his innocence.
{1} "governor" "Felix, made Procurator over Judea, A.D. 53"
{f} "answer" 1 Peter 3:15
{+} "myself" "make my defence"
Verse 11. Because that thou mayest understand. Greek, "Thou being
able to know." That is, he could understand or know, by taking
the proper evidence. Paul does not mean to say that Felix could
understand the case, because he had been many years a judge of that
nation. That fact would qualify him to judge correctly, or to understand
the customs of the Jews. But the fact that he had been but twelve days in
Jerusalem, and had been orderly and peaceable there, Felix could ascertain
only by the proper testimony. The first part of Paul's defence
Acts 24:11-13 consists in an express denial of what they alleged
against him.
Are yet but twelve days. Beza reckons these twelve days in this
manner: The first was that on which he came to Jerusalem, Acts 21:15.
The second he spent with James and the apostles, Acts 21:18. Six days
were spent in fulfilling his vow, Acts 21:21,26. On the ninth day the
tumult arose, being the seventh day of his vow, and on this day he was
rescued by Lysias, Acts 21:27; 22:29. The tenth day he was
before the sanhedrim, Acts 22:30; 23:10. On the eleventh the plot was
laid to take his life; and on the same day, at evening, he was removed to
Caesarea. The days on which he was confined at Caesarea are not enumerated,
since his design in mentioning the number of days was to show the
improbability that, in that time, he had been engaged in producing a
tumult; and it would not be pretended that he had been so engaged while
confined in a prison at Caesarea. The defence of Paul here is, that but
twelve days occurred from the time that he went to Jerusalem, till he was
put under the custody of Felix; and that during so short a time it was
wholly improbable that he would have been able to excite sedition.
For to worship. This farther shows that the design of Paul was not to
produce sedition. He had gone up for the peaceful purpose of devotion, and
not to produce riot and disorder. That this was his design in going to
Jerusalem, or at least a part of his purpose, is indicated by the passage
in Acts 20:16. It should be observed, however, that our translation
conveys an idea which is not necessarily in the Greek--that this was the
design of his going to Jerusalem. The original is, "Since I went up to
Jerusalem worshipping," \~proskunhswn\~ i.e., he was actually engaged in
devotion when the tumult arose. But his main design m going to Jerusalem,
was to convey to his suffering countrymen there the benefactions of the
Gentile churches. See Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25,26.
{h} "neither found me" Acts 25:8; 28:17
Verse 12. And they neither found me, etc. The first charge of
Tertullus against Paul was, Acts 24:5, that he was "a pestilent fellow,
and a mover of sedition." The charge of his being a pest was so
general, that Paul did not think it necessary to attempt to refute it. To
the specification, that he was a mover of sedition, he replies by a firm
denial, and by a solemn declaration that they had not found him in
any synagogue, or in the city, or in the temple, either disputing or
exciting a tumult. His conduct there had been entirely peaceable;
and they had no right to suppose that it had been otherwise anywhere.
{h} "neither found me" Acts 25:8; 28:17
Verse 13. Neither can they prove the things, etc. That is, that I am a
mover of sedition, or a disturber of the peace of the people. This
appeal he boldly makes; he challenges investigation; and as they
did not offer to specify any acts of disorder or tumult excited by
him, this charge falls of course.
{i} "prove the things" 1 Peter 3:16
Verse 14. But this I confess, etc. The next specification in the
charge of Tertullus was, Acts 24:5, that he was "a ringleader of the
sect of the Nazarenes." To this, Paul replies in this and the two
following verses. Of this reply we may observe,
(1.) that he does not stoop to notice the contempt implied in the use of
the word Nazarenes. He was engaged in a more important business than to
contend about the name which they chose to give to Christians.
(2.) He admits that he belonged to that sect or class of people. That he
was a Christian he neither denied, nor was disposed to deny.
(3.) He maintains that in this way he is still worshipping the God of his
fathers. Of this, the fact that he was engaged in worship in the temple,
was sufficient proof.
(4.) He shows them that he believed only what was written in the law and
the prophets; that this involved the main doctrine of their religion--the
hope of the resurrection of the dead, Acts 24:15; and that it was his
constant and earnest desire to keep a pure conscience in all things,
Acts 24:16. These are the points of his defence to this second charge,
and we shall see that they fully meet and dispose of the accusation.
After the way. After the manner or mode of worship.
Which they call heresy. This translation does not express to us the
force of the original. We have attached to the word heresy an idea which
is not conveyed by the Greek word, and now commonly understand by it,
error of doctrine. In Paul's answer here, there is an explicit
reference to their charge, which does not appear in our version. The
charge of Tertullus was, that he was the ringleader of the sect
\~thv airesewv\~ of the Nazarenes, Acts 24:5. To this, Paul replies, "After
the way which they call sect, (\~airesin\~, not error of doctrine,
but after a way which they maintain is producing division or
schism,) so worship I the God of my fathers." Paul was not ashamed to
be called a follower of that sect or party among the Jewish people. Nor
should we be ashamed to worship God in a mode that is called heresy or
schism, if we do it in obedience to conscience and to God.
So worship I. I continue to worship. I have not departed from the
characteristic of the Jewish people, the proper and public acknowledgment
of the God of the Jews.
The God of my fathers. My fathers' God; Jehovah; the God whom my
Jewish ancestors adored. There is something very touching in this, and
fitted to find its way to the heart of a Jew. He had introduced no new
object of worship, (comp. Deuteronomy 13:1-5;) he had not become a follower of
a false or foreign God; and this fact was really a reply to their charge,
that he was setting up a new sect in religion. The same thing Paul
affirms of himself in 2 Timothy 1:3: "I thank God, whom I serve from
my forefathers with a pure conscience."
Believing all things, etc. Particularly respecting the Messiah. So he
more fully explains his meaning in his speech before king Agrippa,
Acts 26:23.
In the Law and in the Prophets. Commanded in the law of Moses, and
foretold by the prophets. That Paul had ever disbelieved any of these
things, they could not prove; and his whole course had shown that he fully
credited the sacred records. Most of his arguments in defending
Christianity had been drawn from the Jewish writings.
{*} "heresy" "A sect"
{a} "worship" Micah 4:5
{b} "God of my fathers" 2 Timothy 1:3
{c} "written in the law" Luke 24:27; Acts 26:22; 28:23
{d} "in the prophets" Matthew 22:40; Luke 16:16; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; Romans 3:21
Verse 15. And have hope toward God. Having a hope of the resurrection
of the dead, which arises from the promises of God.
Which they themselves, etc. That is, the Pharisees. Perhaps he
designated in this remark the Pharisees who were present, he held nothing
in this great cardinal point, which they did not also hold. For the
reasons why Paul introduced this point so prominently, and the success of
thus introducing it, See Barnes "Acts 23:1", also Acts 23:2-9.
Both the just and unjust. Of the righteous and the wicked; that is,
of all the race. As they held this, they could not arraign him for
holding it also.
{e} "hope toward God" Acts 23:6; 26:6,7; 28:20
{+} "allow" "admit"
{f} "resurrection of the dead" Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-27
Revelation 20:6,13
{++} "unjust" "righteous and unrighteous"
Verse 16. And herein. In this, or for this purpose.
Do I exercise myself. \~askw\~. I accustom or employ myself; I make
it my constant aim and endeavour. It is the purpose of my constant study.
Paul often appeals to his conscientiousness as the leading habit of
his life. Even before his conversion he endeavoured to act according to
the dictates of conscience. See Acts 26:9. Comp. Philippians 3:5,6.
To have always a conscience, etc. To do that which is right, so that
my conscience shall approve of it, and never reproach me.
Void of offence. \~aroskopon\~. That which is inoffensive, or which does
not cause one to stumble or fall. lie means, that he endeavoured to keep
his conscience so enlightened and pure in regard to duty, and that he
acted according to its dictates in such a way, that his conduct should
not be displeasing to God, or injurious to man. To have such a conscience
implies two things:
(1.) That it be enlightened or properly informed in regard to truth and
duty; and,
(2,) that that which is made known to be right should be honestly and
faithfully performed. Without these two things, no man can have a
conscience that shall be inoffensive and harmless.
Toward God. In an honest endeavour to discharge all the duties
of public and private worship, and to do constantly what he requires. In
believing all that he has spoken; doing all that he requires; and offering
to him the service which he approves.
Toward men. In endeavouring to meet all the demands of justice and
mercy; to advance their knowledge, happiness, and salvation; so
that I may look back on my life with the reflection that I have done
all that I ought to have done, and all that I could do, to promote
the welfare of the whole human family. What a noble principle of
conduct was this! How devoted, and how pure! How unlike the conduct of
those who live to gratify debasing sensual appetites, or for gold or
honour; and who pass their lives in such a manner as to offer the grossest
offence to God, and to do the most injury to man! The great and noble aim
of Paul was to be pure; and no slander of his enemies, no trials,
persecutions, or perils, and no pains of dying, could take away the
approving voice of conscience. Alike in his travels, and in his
persecutions; among friends and foes; when preaching in the synagogue, the
city, or the desert; or when defending himself before governors and kings,
he had this testimony of a self-approving mind. Happy they who thus frame
their lives. And happy will be the end of a life where this has been the
grand object of the journey through this world.
{g} "have always" Acts 23:1
Verse 17. Now after many years. After many years' absence. Paul
here commences a reply to the charges of Tertullus, that he had
endeavoured to profane the temple, Acts 24:6. He begins by saying
that his design in coming up to Jerusalem was to bring to them
needed aid in a time of distress. It would be absurd to suppose,
therefore, that his object in coming was to violate the customs of
the temple, and to defile it.
I came to bring. See Acts 11:29,30. See Barnes "Romans 15:25".
Alms. Charities; the gift of the churches.
To my nation. Not to all the nation; but to the poor saints or
Christians who were in Judea, and who were suffering much by
persecutions and trials.
And offerings. The word used here properly denotes an offering or gift
of any kind; but it is usually applied to an oblation, or offering made to
God in the temple--a thank-offering, a sacrifice. This is probably its
meaning here. He came to bring aid to his needy countrymen, and
an offering to God; and it was, therefore, no part of his purpose to
interfere with, or to profane the worship of the temple.
{h} "to bring alms" Acts 11:29,30; 20:16; Romans 15:25
Verse 18. Certain Jews from Asia. Acts 21:27.
Found me purified in the temple. Acts 21:26,27. They found me
engaged in the sacred service of completing the observance of my vow.
Neither with multitude. Not having introduced a multitude with me--in
a quiet and peaceful manner.
Verse 19. Who ought to have been here, etc. They were the proper
witnesses; as they had stayed away, it showed that they were not
prepared to undergo a strict examination. Paul, therefore, justly
complains that the very persons who alone could testify against him
were absent, and showed that there was really no well-founded
charge against him. They alone could testify as to anything that
occurred in the temple; and as they were not present, that charge
ought to be dismissed.
{i} "here before thee" Acts 25:16
{&} "object" "accuse me"
{|} "ought" "anything"
Verse 20. Or else. Since they are not here to witness against me in
regard to what occurred in the temple, let these here present bear
witness against me, if they can, in regard to any other part of my
conduct. This was a bold appeal, and it showed his full consciousness of
innocence.
Let these same here say. The Jews who are here present.
Any evil doing. Any improper conduct, or any violation of the law.
While I stood before the council. The sanhedrim, Acts 23:1-10. As
they were present there, Paul admits that they were competent to bear
witness to his conduct on that occasion; and calls upon them to testify,
if they could, to any impropriety in his conduct.
{&} "evil doing" "crime"
Verse 21. Except it be for this one voice. For this one expression, or
decimation. This was what Paul had said before the council--the
main thing on which he had insisted; and he calls on them to testify
to this, and to show, if they could, that in this declaration he had
been wrong. Chubb and other infidels have supposed that Paul
here acknowledges that he was wrong in the declaration which he
made, when he said, that he was called in question for the doctrine
of the resurrection of the del (Acts 23:6,) and his conscience
reproached him for appearing to be time-serving, and for concealing
the true cause of offence against him; and for attempting to take
advantage of their divisions of sentiment, and endeavouring to produce
discord in the council. But against this interpretation we may urge the
following considerations:
(1.) Paul wished to fix their attention on the main thing which he had
said before the council.
(2.) It was true, as has been shown on the passage, (Acts 23:1-10),
that this was the principal doctrine which Paul had been defending.
(3.) If they were prepared to witness against him for holding and teaching
the resurrection of the dead as a false or evil doctrine, he called on
them to do it. As this had been the only thing which they had witnessed
before the council, he calls on them to testify to what they knew only,
and to show, if they could, that this was wrong.
Touching the resurrection, etc. Respecting the resurrection,
Acts 23:6.
{*} "one voice" "declaration"
{+} "cried" "proclaimed"
Verse 22. Having more perfect knowledge of that way. Our translation
of this verse is very obscure, and critics are divided about the proper
interpretation of the original. Many (Erasmus, Luther, Michaelis,
Morus, etc.) render it, "Although he had a more perfect knowledge
of the Christian doctrine than Paul's accusers had, yet he deferred
the hearing of the cause till Lysias had come down." They observe,
that he might have obtained this knowledge, not only from the letter
of Lysias, but from public rumour, as there were doubtless Christians
at Caesarea. They suppose that he deferred the cause, either with
the hope of receiving a bribe from Paul, (comp. Acts 24:26,) or to
gratify the Jews with his being longer detained as a prisoner. Others,
among whom are Beza, Grotius, Rosenmuller, and Doddridge, suppose that it
should be rendered, "He deferred them, and said, After I have been more
accurately informed concerning this way, when Lysias has come down, I will
hear the cause." This is doubtless the true interpretation of the passage,
and it is rendered more probable by the fact that Felix sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith of Christ, (Acts 24:24,) evidently with
a design to make himself better acquainted with the charges against him,
and the nature of his belief.
Of that way. Of the Christian religion. This expression is repeatedly
used by Luke to denote the Christian doctrine. See Barnes "Acts 9:2".
He deferred them. He put them off; he postponed the decision of the
case; he adjourned the trial.
When Lysias, etc. Lysias had been acquainted with the excitement and
its causes, and Felix regarded him as an important witness in regard
to the true nature of the charges against Paul.
I will know the uttermost, etc. I shall be fully informed and
prepared to decide the cause.
{a} "Lysias" Acts 24:7
{+} "chief captain" "commander"
{&} "I will know" "I will determine"
Verse 23. And he commanded, etc. It is evident from this verse, that
Felix was disposed to show Paul all the favours that were consistent
with his safe keeping. He esteemed him to be a persecuted man,
and doubtless regarded the charges against him as entirely malicious.
What was Felix's motive in this cannot be certainly known. It is
not improbable, however, that he detained him,
(1.) to gratify the Jews by keeping him in custody as if he were guilty;
and,
(2.) that he hoped the friends of Paul would give him money to release
him. Perhaps it was for this purpose that he gave orders that his friends
should have free access to him, that thus Paul might be furnished
with the means of purchasing his freedom.
{b} "liberty" Acts 27:3; 28:16
Verse 24. Felix came with his wife Drusilla. Drusilla was the daughter
of Herod Agrippa the elder, and was engaged to be married to Epiphanes,
the son of king Antiochus, on condition that he would embrace the Jewish
religion; but as he afterwards refused to do that, the contract was broken
off. Afterwards she was given in marriage, by her brother Agrippa the
younger, to Azizus king of Emesa, upon his consent to be circumcised. When
Felix was governor of Judea, he saw Drusilla, and fell in love with her,
and sent to her Simon, one of his friends, a Jew, by birth a Cyprian, who
pretended to be a magician, to endeavour to persuade her to forsake
her husband, and to marry Felix. Accordingly, in order to avoid the
envy of her sister Bernice, who treated her ill on account of her
beauty, "she was prevailed on," says Josephus, "to transgress the
laws of her forefathers, and to marry Felix." Josephus, Antiq. b.
xx. chap. vii. 1, 2. She was, therefore, living in adultery with
him; and this was probably the reason why Paul dwelt in his discourse
before Felix particularly on "temperance," or chastity.
See Barnes "Acts 24:25".
He sent for Paul, and heard him. Perhaps he did this in order to be
more fully acquainted with the case which was submitted to him. It is
possible, also, that it might have been to gratify his wife, who was a
Jewess, and who doubtless had a desire to be acquainted with the
principles of this new sect. It is certain also that one object which
Felix had in this, was to let Paul see how dependent he was on him, and to
induce him to purchase his liberty.
Concerning the faith in Christ. Concerning the Christian religion.
Faith in Christ is often used to denote the whole of Christianity, as it
is the leading and characteristic feature of the religion of the gospel.
Verse 25. And as he reasoned. Greek, "And he discoursing." \~dialegomenou\~
\~de autou\~ No argument should be drawn from the word that is used here,
to prove that Paul particularly appealed to reason, or that his discourse
was argumentative. That it was so, is indeed not improbable, from all that we
know of the man, and from the topics on which he discoursed. But the word
used here means simply, as he discoursed, and is applied usually to making
a public address, to preaching, etc., in whatever way it is done,
Acts 17:2; 18:4,19; 19:8,9; 24:12. Felix and Drusilla intended this
as a matter of entertainment or amusement. Paul readily obeyed
their summons, as it gave him an opportunity to preach the gospel
to them; and as they desired his sentiments in regard to the faith in
Christ, he selected those topics which were adapted to their condition,
and stated those principles of the Christian religion which were
fitted to arrest their attention, and lead them to repentance. Paul
seized every opportunity of making known the gospel; and whether
a prisoner or at liberty, whether before princes, governors, kings, or
common people, was equally prepared to defend the pure and holy
doctrines of the cross. His boldness in this instance is the more
remarkable, as he was dependent on Felix for his pardon. A timeserver or
an impostor would have chosen such topics as would have conciliated the
favour of the judge, and procured his pardon, he would have flattered his
vanity, or palliated his vices. But such an idea never seems to have
occurred to Paul. His aim was to defend the truth, and to save, if
possible, the souls of Drusilla and of Felix.
Of righteousness, \~peri dikaiosunhv\~. Of justice. Not of the justice
of God particularly, but of the nature and requirements of justice
in the relations of life, the relations which we sustain to God
and to man. This was a proper topic with which to introduce
his discourse, as it was the office of Felix to dispense justice
between man and man; and as his administration was not remarkable for the
exercise of that virtue. It is evident that he could be influenced by a
bribe, (Acts 24:26;) and it was proper for Paul to dwell on this as
designed to show him the guilt of his life, and his danger of meeting the
justice of a Being who cannot be bribed, but who will dispense equal
justice alike to the great and the mean. That Paul dwelt also on the
justice of God, as the moral Governor of the world, may also be
presumed. The apprehension of that justice, and the remembrance of his
own guilty life, tended to produce the alarm of Felix, and to make him
tremble.
Temperance. \~egkrateiav\~. The word temperance we now use commonly to
denote moderation, or restraint in regard to eating and drinking,
particularly to abstinence from the use of ardent spirits. But this is not
its meaning here. There is no reason to suppose that Felix was
intemperate in the use of intoxicating liquors. The original word here
denotes a restraint of all the passions and evil inclinations; and may be
applied to prudence, chastity, and moderation in general. The particular
thing in the life of Felix which Paul had probably in view, was the
indulgence of licentious desires, or incontinence. He was living in
adultery with Drusilla; and for this, Paul wished doubtless to bring him
to repentance.
And judgment to come. The universal judgment; the judgment that was to
come on all transgressors. On this topic Paul also dwelt when he preached
before the Areopagus at Athens, Acts 17:31. These topics were admirably
adapted to excite the alarm of both Felix and Drusilla. It evinced great
boldness and faithfulness in Paul to select them; and the result showed
that he correctly judged of the kind of truth which was adapted to alarm
the fears of his guilty auditor.
Felix trembled. In view of his past sins, and in the apprehension of
the judgment to come. The Greek \~emfobov\~ does not denote that his
body was agitated or shaken, but only that he was alarmed, or terrified.
That such fear usually shakes the frame, we know; but it is not certain
that the body of Felix was thus agitated. He was alarmed and terrified;
and looked with deep apprehension to the coming judgment. This was a
remarkable instance of the effect of truth on the mind of a man
unaccustomed to such alarms, and unused to hear such truth. It shows the
power of conscience, when thus under the preaching of a prisoner the
judge should be thrown into violent alarm.
And answered, Go thy way, etc. How different is this answer from that
of the jailer of Philippi when alarmed in a similar manner. He asked,
"What must I do to be saved?" and was directed to Him in whom he found
peace from a troubled conscience, Acts 16:30,31. Felix was troubled;
but instead of asking what he should do, he sent the messenger of God
away. He was evidently not prepared to break off his sins, and turn to
God. He sought peace by sending away his reprover; and manifestly intended
then to banish the subject from his mind. Yet, like others, he did
not intend to banish it altogether. He looked forward to a time
when he should be more at leisure; when the cares of office should
press less heavily on his attention; or when he should be more disposed to
attend to it. Thus multitudes, when they are alarmed, and see their guilt
and danger, resolve to defer it to a more convenient time. One man is
engaged in a career of pleasure, and it is not now a convenient time to
attend to his soul's salvation. Another is pressed with business; with the
cares of life; with a plan of gain; with the labours of office, or of a
profession, and it is not now a convenient time for him to attend to
religion. Another supposes that his time of life is not the most
convenient. His youth he desires to spend in pleasure, and waits for a
more convenient time in middle age. His middle life he spends in business,
and the toils of the world, and this is not a convenient time. Such a
period he expects then to find in old age. But as age advances, he finds
an increasing disposition to defer it; he is still indisposed to attend to
it; still in love with the world. Even old age is seldom found to
be a convenient time to prepare for heaven; and it is deferred from
one period of life to another, till death closes the scene. It has been
commonly supposed and said, that Felix never found that more convenient
time to call for Paul. That he did not embrace the Christian religion, and
forsake his sins, is probable, nay, almost certain. But it is not true
that he did not take an opportunity of hearing Paul further on the
subject; for it is said that he sent for him often, and communed with him.
But though Felix found this opportunity, yet
(1) we have no reason to suppose that the main thing --the salvation of
his soul-- ever again occupied his attention. There is no evidence that he
was again alarmed or awakened, or that he had any further solicitude on
the subject of his sins. He had passed for ever the favourable time; the
golden moments when he might have secured the salvation of his soul.
(2.) Others have no right to suppose that their lives will be lengthened
out that they may have any further opportunity to attend to the subject of
religion.
(3.) When a sinner is awakened, and sees his past sins, if he rejects the
appeal to his conscience then, and defers it to a more convenient
opportunity, he has no reason to expect that his attention will ever be
again called with deep interest to the subject. He may live; but he may
live without the strivings of the Holy Spirit. When a man has once
deliberately rejected the offers of mercy; when he has trifled with the
influences of the Spirit of God, he has no right or reason to
expect that that Spirit will ever strive with him again. Such, we have too
much reason to fear was the case with Felix. Though he often saw Paul
again, and "communed with him," yet there is no account that he was again
alarmed or awakened. And thus sinners often attend on the means of grace
after they have grieved the Holy Spirit; they listen to the doctrines of
the gospel, they hear its appeals and its warnings, but they have no
feeling, no interest, and die in their sins.
A more convenient season. Greek, "Taking time." I will take a time for
this.
I will call for thee. To hear thee further on this subject. This he
did, Acts 24:26. It is remarkable that Drusilla was not alarmed. She
was as much involved in guilt as Felix; but she, being a Jewess, had been
accustomed to hear of a future judgment, until it caused in her mind no
alarm. Perhaps also she depended on the rites and ceremonies of her
religion as a sufficient expiation for her sins. She might have been
resting on those false dependencies which go to free the conscience
from a sense of guilt, and which thus beguile and destroy the soul.
{|} "reasoned" "discoursed"
{c} "righteousness" Proverbs 16:12; Jeremiah 22:15-17; Daniel 4:27; John 16:8
{@} "righteousness" "Justice"
{d} "temperance" Proverbs 31:4,5; Daniel 5:1-4; Hosea 7:5; 1 Peter 4:4
{e} "judgment" Psalms 1:3,4; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12
{a} "trembled" Psalms 99:1; Isaiah 32:11; Habakkuk 3:16; Hebrews 4:1,12
{b} "Go thy way" Proverbs 1:24-32; Matthew 20:1-5; 25:1-10
{*} "call for thee" "send"
Verse 26. He hoped also. He thought that by giving him access to his
friends, and by often meeting him himself, and showing kindness,
Paul might be induced to attempt to purchase his freedom with a bribe.
That money should have been given him of Paul. That Paul would give
him money to procure a release. This shows the character of Felix. He was
desirous of procuring a bribe. Paul had proved his innocence, and should
have been at once released. But Felix was influenced by avarice; and he
therefore detained Paul in custody, with the hope that, wearied with
confinement, he would seek his release by a bribe. But Paul offered no
bribe. He knew what was justice; and he would not be guilty, therefore, of
attempting to purchase what was his due, or of gratifying a man who
prostituted his high office for the purpose of gain. The Roman governors
in the provinces were commonly rapacious and avaricious, like Felix.
They usually took the office for the purpose of its pecuniary advantage,
and they consequently usually disregarded justice, and made the procuring
of money their leading object.
He sent for him the oftener. It may seem remarkable that he did not
fear again being alarmed. But the hope of money overcame all this. And
having once resisted the reasoning of Paul, and the strivings of the
Spirit of God, he seems to have had no further alarm or anxiety. He could
again hear the same man, and the same truth, unaffected. When sinners have
once grieved God's Spirit, they often sit with unconcern under the same
truth which once alarmed them, and become entirely hardened and
unconcerned.
And communed with him. And conversed with him.
{c} "money" Exodus 23:8
{+} "loose him" "release"
{++} "wherefore" "For which cause"
{&} "communed" "conversed"
Verse 27. But after two years. Paul was unjustly detained during all
this time. The hope of Felix seems to have been to weary his patience, and
induce him to purchase his freedom.
Came into Felix' room. As governor.
And Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure. Desirous of pleasing
them, even at the expense of justice. This shows the principle on which he
acted.
Left Paul bound. Left him in custody to the charge of his successor.
His object in this was to conciliate the Jews; that is, to secure their
favour, and to prevent them, if possible, from accusing him for the evils
of his administration before the emperor. The account which Luke gives
here coincides remarkably with that which Josephus has given. He
says, that Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero.
He does not indeed mention Paul, or say that Felix sought to conciliate
the favour of the Jews; but he gives such an account as to make the
statement by Luke perfectly consistent with his character while in
office. He informs us that Felix was unpopular, and that there was reason
to apprehend that the Jews would accuse him before the emperor; and,
therefore, the statement in the Acts, that he would be willing to show
the Jews a favour, is in perfect keeping with his character and
circumstances, and is one of those undesigned coincidences, which show
that the author of the Acts was fully acquainted with the circumstances of
the time, and that his history is true. The account in Josephus is, that
"when Porcine Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero,
the principal inhabitants of Caesarea went up to Rome to accuse
Felix; and he had been certainly brought to punishment, unless
Nero had yielded to the importunate solicitations of his brother
Pallas, who was at that time had in the greatest honour by him."
Antiq. b. xx. chap. viii. & 9.
The plan of Felix, therefore, in suppressing the enmity of the Jews,
and conciliating their favour by injustice to Paul, did not succeed;
and is one of those instances, so numerous in the world, where a man gains
nothing by wickedness. He sought money from Paul by iniquity, and failed;
he sought by injustice to obtain the favour of the Jews, and failed in
that also. And the inference from the whole transaction is, that "honesty
is the best policy," and that man in any office should pursue a course of
firm, and constant, and undeviating integrity.
{|} "room" "succeeded Felix"
{&} "shew the Jews a pleasure" "Gratify the Jews"
{&} "shew" Mark 15:15; Acts 25:9
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