6-7. “Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands.”
Because of the Jews’ unbelief, they claimed it to be our temple and our law, not God’s “house of prayer” (Matt. 21:1313And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:13)) or “God’s law” (Neh. 10:2929They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; (Nehemiah 10:29)). They would use “our hands” to slay God’s servant who, in love for his Jewish brethren, told them the truth. They accused the Roman captain of acting in “great violence” towards them, but themselves wished to do “great violence” to Paul. The darkness of man’s heart overwhelms when God’s light and truth are rejected.
8-9. “Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.”
The Jews evidently thought that Felix would give in to their demands to gain their favor. The truth was immaterial, just as it had been when Pilate and Herod became friends and, to placate the Jews, they mocked and then condemned the Lord Jesus to death.
10. “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. ”
Paul didn’t make a judgment of Felix as to whether he had been a good or a bad ruler he left that evaluation with God. Since Felix was clearly familiar with Jewish customs and law, the Apostle was happy because he could give a simple answer of the true facts. Christians’ opinions of the “fairness” of governments under which we live isn’t important, but honest, clear testimony to faith is very important.
11. “Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.”
The Jews had accused Paul of creating sedition among the Jews in all the world (see verse 5). If Christians walk in simple obedience to God, the truth (whether it be believed or not) will always triumph over ignorant accusations and unbelief.
12. “And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.”
How could they accuse Paul of being a ringleader of rebellion when the gospel message committed to him was one of God’s grace and love? It’s vital that we preach God’s message regarding sin, repentance and forgiveness from His Word, rather than disputing against blind unbelief using our intellectual abilities.
13. “Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.”
Paul wasn’t trying to cover or excuse anything—he was stating the truth. The Jews had not one shred of evidence proving the truth of their accusations. Oh! that it might be so when the world points an accusing finger at a Christian that it would be merely slander. If we walk as He (the Lord Jesus) walked—holy, harmless and undefiled—it will be so.
14. “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.”
Paul did confess before Felix something he had done his “crime” was worshipping and serving God according to the Scriptures the Jews themselves held in the utmost esteem (though it was an esteem born of religious pride). How wonderful when believers’ lives follow the example of our Lord, who “before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.”
15. “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
The truth of resurrection gave Paul hope, brought the Jews division and debate (see Matthew 22:15-3315Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27And last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:15‑33)), and caused Felix to tremble (v. 25). Only among those who hated the truth was resurrection a basis for imprisonment. Does this bright hope show out in our lives, especially towards those who still live in the “region and shadow of death” (Matt. 4:1616The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:16))?
16. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.”
Paul diligently tried to keep from offending those to whom he preached the gospel (an excellent example for evangelism today!). But first and foremost he was concerned that he not offend God, who had saved and called him. May God’s honor always be first in all we do as His dear children.
17. “Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”
What an indictment of the Jews! Paul had come to Jerusalem bringing a blessing to the people and an offering to God. The hardened Jews had come to Felix bringing a Roman orator making false accusations against the man who loved them and worshipped God. We shouldn’t expect different treatment. May we continue to act in love and grace towards those who, at times, “despitefully use” us.
18-19. “Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against me.”
The truth needs no embellishment from a trained orator! The actions of our lives tell the truth far more powerfully than our words those who witnessed Paul’s actions evidently could not face or answer the one they knew to be innocent of their charges.
20-21. “Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evildoing in me, while I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.”
Without expressing anger or displeasure, Paul has distilled the whole issue into its essence the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Orthodox Jews of that day believed in the Old Testament teaching of a resurrection but they hated the thought that Jesus of Nazareth had risen from among the dead. To them, that was intolerable, as were those, such as Paul, who announced that wonderful news to the guilty nation.
22. “And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.”
Felix knew the truth, but, unwilling to deal with it, he did the “politically correct” thing. If he died in that state of heart, he is now reaping the consequences of his decision in eternity forever.
Ed.