Lives of Scripture

Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, heard the case against Paul brought by the high priest Ananias and other Jewish leaders after Paul's arrest in Jerusalem, though he "put them off" from a full hearing, having "a more exact knowledge about the Way" than the accusers assumed (Acts 24:1-22). He kept Paul in custody but with relative freedom for his friends to care for him, and later "sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus" along with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish (24:23-24). As Paul "discussed righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, 'go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you'" (24:25) -- a striking moment where genuine conviction under the gospel's confrontation with sin produced fear rather than repentance. Luke adds a candid, unflattering motive for Felix's continued interest: "he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul," so he sent for him often to converse, but no bribe was ever offered, since Paul would not corrupt his own case that way (24:26). Felix left Paul imprisoned for two full years, unwilling to release him and "wishing to do the Jews a favor," until he was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus (24:27). Felix's story is a sobering portrait of a man who came close enough to the truth to be afraid of it, yet kept indefinitely postponing the response it demanded.