Confronting the Mighty

 "Now as he reasoned about righteousness,
self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix
was afraid and answered. "Go away for now;
when I have a convenient time I will call you"

                                                       ACT 24:25

   When Paul concludes his defense, Felix adjourns the hearing. Every indication is that the governor recognizes the frivolous nature of the charges against Paul and accept his innocense. For instance, Luke ntes that Felix has "more accurate knowledge of the way" than others knowedge hat permots him to see that Paul is no threat to the Roman state. Futhermore, Felix commits Paul to the care of centurion, but he tells the official to let Paul have some liberties and to permit his friends to visit him and bring him things he needs. With these action and his promise to decide Paul's case when the Jerusalem commande comes, Felix give Paul reason to hope.

     But all is not as it seems here. First, the commander, Claudius Lysia, already has given Felix his opinion about Paul's guilt (23:29); there really is no need for Felix to await claudius arrival. And the possibility that Felix is using Claudiius comes to Caesarea but it is unmaginable that the commander of the Jerusalem garrision does not visit the provincial capital  on official business regularly. And Felix has sinister motives for holding Paul. He hopes Paul will offer him a bribe for his freedom (24-26). And the governor weighing political considerations. Luke notes in verse 27 that Felix is recalled to rome, he leaves imprisoned as a favor to the Jews.

     Nevertheless, Felix does seem interested in Paul and his message. Not long after the trial, he comes to hear Paul speak. "Concerning the faith in Christ or the Gospel. With the governor is Drusilla, his third wife a Jewess who had left previous husband to marry Felix, a Gentile. To this licentious couple Paul speaks on "righteousness, self-control, and the Judgement to come."the reaction is remarkable Felix. Lukes tells us become afraid and sends Paul away, promising to hear him again at his convenience. The governor does i deed  conserve with Paul times during Paul's imprisonment, but felix's evident conviction of sinfulness apparently never leads to conversion. "The governnor is afraid of the coming Judgement,but he refuses both to repent of his evil way and to turn in faith to Jesus, "Dr. Simon Kistemaker write in his commentary on Acts.