Acts 24:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Meanwhile Paul, though speaking with a ruler, said nothing that might flatter his soul. Rather, he spoke what frightened and shook his mind. He conversed with him, it says, “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,” so that “Felix became afraid.” Such is the power of Paul’s words, that they bring a governor to fear.

Felix did not wish to enter into the domestic disputes of the Jews. Though he did not consider the accused guilty, he nevertheless did not wish to grant him justice without money. Paul did not wish to buy his freedom in so unprofitable a way, one that would cast suspicion on his very cause. Therefore Felix, in order to make amends to the Jews for his offenses when taking leave of them, left Paul in prison. Paul remained in this condition for two years, until Felix’s successor, Porcius Festus, arrived.

Later, Felix’s conversations with Paul about matters of religion and morality disposed the procurator still more favorably toward the apostle. Yet the avaricious Felix kept Paul in bonds for two years in vain, expecting money from him. Finally, wishing to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in bonds even when he was recalled and replaced by Porcius Festus.

The Apostle Paul was taken into custody, but Felix gave a special command to the centurion that the guard should not be harsh toward him. He also ordered that his friends be allowed free access to him in prison.

For his part, Felix was so interested in the prisoner that he later summoned him in order to show him also to his wife Drusilla.

The apostle did not fail to use this circumstance in order to address Felix with stern reproofs for his injustices.

The procurator’s conscience was touched. He even wished to release the prisoner altogether, if only the Apostle Paul had understood his hint and promised to give him a bribe.

Since the apostle had no money, and did not wish to seek freedom by such base means, he had to languish for two years in the Roman prison at Caesarea.

“He spoke of righteousness,” and so forth. Paul spoke to Felix and his wife not only about what they wished to hear, but also about what they certainly did not wish to hear.

The apostle, with holy boldness, spoke of this and considered it his duty to say it to their faces.

The prisoner speaks to the governor Felix about righteousness, continence, and the future judgment. He speaks to Felix, who allowed himself every kind of injustice and every kind of incontinence (Tacitus, Histories 5.9).

Felix was one who “committed every sort of crime with impunity” (Tacitus, Annals 12.54). The apostle’s extraordinary speech struck Felix, and he became afraid.

But he immediately suppressed this feeling and sent the preacher away, promising to call him later, afterward.

The conversation of the holy Apostle Paul with Felix, in the presence of his second wife Drusilla, was very interesting, for it was devoted especially to the teaching concerning Christ.

But the apostle set forth this teaching in a moral sense, applying it to the moral needs of his hearers.

Therefore he spoke of righteousness, which they had trampled upon by their unlawful cohabitation; of continence, which they had not observed; and of the responsibility that awaited them at the future judgment.

He did not disclose the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to them, as to those unworthy. But by his moral instruction he affected Felix, so that he became terrified and asked Paul to leave him until another time.