What a contrast we see between the heartless, lying accusations of the Jews, through the practiced orator, Tertullus, and the manly and honest declarations of one whose ways were a testimony for the Lord, whom he served with a good conscience. He could appeal to the conscience of his judges, and show a spirit above the passions and interests that surrounded him. How different from the selfishness of Lysias and Festus, who set forth their own conduct, as if it was only in pursuance of duty, and regard for justice. The Lord was above it all for Paul, His servant, and made all things work to carry out His purpose.
Every one can see the uprightness of the prisoner, and that all the Jews’ enmity of heart and defense was, because the truth was taking away their importance; and their opposition was opposition to God.
But Felix, though he knew better, did not free him, but put off his decision to hear what Lysias would say. He let Paul have some liberty, so that any who wished could visit him unhinderedly.
Afterward, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith of Christ. And Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, of temperance (or self-control), and of the judgment to come. Felix trembled, but like some others (see John 8:99And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8:9)), he would not take his place as guilty before God, but said: “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Poor worldly heart! He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener; and communed with him, but there is no record given of his taking thought about his soul’s salvation.
After two years, Porcius Festus came into Felix’s office; and Felix, willing to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Thus the wrath of man accomplishes the will of God. Little is said in Scripture of those years of bondage. What lessons were in them for Paul! He afterward wrote of himself, “the prisoner of the Lord.” What unfoldings of the truth were there given to him as we see in the epistles! What depth of love was there made known to him; love that passeth knowledge; unsearchable riches of Christ; peace that passeth all understanding. And there, despite his miserable surroundings, joy unspeakable and roll of glory, would fill his soul.
The hatred of the Jews; the injustice or his judges; their selfish egotism was all so plainly seen, but out of it all, good came to the prisoner of the Lord, making him to prove afresh that what he had written was ever true.