Acts 24:24-27 24After some days, Felix, coming with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, asent for Paul and heard him about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix, becoming afraid, answered, “Go away for the present, and when I get an opportunity, I will summon you,” 26and at the same time, he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. Therefore, also often summoning him, he conversed with him. 27And when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wanting to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Luke gives very little information about what happened to Paul during his two years of imprisonment in Caesarea. Some theories suggest Paul may have written a few of the letters in our New Testament during that time. He probably used every opportunity to share the gospel, because that was his nature and mission. Luke does record one example of how Paul continued to share the gospel when Felix and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, wanted to hear what he had to say about Christ Jesus. As a Jew, Drucilla may have been interested in what this famous Jewish teacher taught about the so-called Messiah. The order of Christ Jesus may be significant from a Jewish perspective, since Christ is the Greek translation for “Messiah.” Felix and Drusilla wanted more information about claims that Jesus was the Messiah.
At first, it seems that Felix was genuinely interested in what Paul had to say. However, two things happened that may have created a more difficult situation for Paul. One is what Paul spoke to Felix and Drusilla about. The three qualities of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment may have been issues that directly confronted the spiritual failures of Felix. The fear that came over Felix on these topics, especially the coming judgment, was overwhelming because he was convicted and knew these issues applied to him. These topics seemed to end any further dialogue. Turning one’s back on the truth and the conviction of the Holy Spirit only leads to further problems. Felix missed out on his opportunity to change his life, which could have had a profound impact on history.
The second problem appears in verse 26 and how Felix wanted a bribe from Paul. Once again, the low character and motives of Felix come out. Not only did he lack the courage to be just, but he also wanted money, which is surprising since he was the governor and likely had everything he wanted. He was greedy and crooked.
Verse 27 further emphasizes his poor leadership, as he forced Paul to sit imprisoned for two years. Felix lacked the courage to deal with the obstinate Jews but sought to placate them by treating Paul unjustly. Undoubtedly, those would have been difficult years for Paul if he had not had outside assistance from other believers. Paul was given a proper hearing only when Felix was removed from office by the Romans around the year 60. According to Josephus (Antiquities 20.182; War 2.266–70), Felix did not deal fairly with the Jews when there was a problem with the Gentiles. After the Jews complained, he was recalled to Rome. Felix represents someone who heard the gospel, showed some interest, but let greed, power, and lack of integrity stop him from believing, which eventually led to the loss of his position and, one day, the judgment he feared.