Acts 24:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See how the writer holds to the truth. Felix often summoned him not because he admired him, or approved his words, or wished to believe. Why then?

“He hoped,” it says, “that Paul would give him money.” See how he does not conceal the judge’s intention here.

If Felix had considered Paul guilty, he would not have acted this way. He would not have wished to hear a guilty and criminal man.

See what blindness. While hearing so great a teaching, he hoped to take money from him. How, O criminal man, do you seek money from one who preaches the contrary?

Paul spoke of continence, while Felix expected to receive money from the man who reasoned about it. He did not dare demand it. Such is vice: it is fearful and suspicious in everything. But he waited.

“Therefore he often sent for him and conversed with him.” Do you see what truth breathes in what is written? He often summoned Paul not because he admired him, or approved his words, and not because he wished to believe. He did so because he hoped that money would be given to him.

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.

The moral disposition of this governor is sufficiently characterized by the feature that the author of Acts next sets forth. Even from such a man, whom he considered innocent and whose speech had made him afraid, he hoped to receive a bribe in order to release him.

This was despite the strict prohibition of bribery for detention or release under the Julian law.

He knew, of course, that the Christians took a great interest in the prisoner’s fate. He calculated that they could give a sufficiently large ransom for the apostle’s release.

Therefore he often summoned him, thereby showing his favor and his readiness to release him for a gift.

Felix’s desire to receive a bribe from the apostle shows his deep baseness and cruelty.

“See how the writer holds to the truth,” says Saint John Chrysostom. “Felix often summoned Paul not because he admired him, approved his words, or wished to believe. Why then? He hoped that Paul would give him money.

Do you see how he does not conceal the judge’s intention here? If Felix had considered Paul guilty, he would not have acted this way. He would not have wished to hear a guilty and criminal man.”

“Even from such a man, whom he considered innocent and whose speech had made him afraid, he hoped to receive a bribe in order to release him. This was despite the strict prohibition of bribery for detention or release under the Julian law.