Q1 T 1. Felix. On the judgment seat.
U V 2-4. Tertullus. Introduction.
W 5-9. His charges.
V 10. Paul. Introduction..
W 11-21. His defense..
T 22-27. Felix. Decision.
Acts 24)
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest (named by a Roman governor, not by a Christian, and not named by God. See 23:2) came down with certain elders, and with a certain orator (a lawyer, advocate.) named Tertullus, who (referring to the Jews [Kenites] as well as there spokesman) informed (most of it made up) the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Obtaining as we do through you we (rulers in large part Kenites) enjoy much peace, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your foresight, (Always function and operate within a country whereby it is forced to protect you. Its not that big of a deal)
3 We receive it in every place, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. (This is the way Satan works)
4 But, in order that I for no more time hinder you (going to be brief about Pul, but I want to tell you something), I pray (to call aside, appeal to by way of instruction) you to hear us in your clemency concisely.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent (Gr. loismos., a plague) fellow, and stirring seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (is a term applied to believers. The Jews would not call them Christians, as that was derived from the word for Messiah; so Tetullus was instructed to call them Nazarenes): (You will be called this too)
6 Who attempted to pollute the temple also (this was a lie): whom we seized also, and proposed to judge according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, (Paul was a Roman citizen. God provides protection)
8 Having commanded (Lysias had done this after he sent Paul to Caeserea to escape the plot. Hence the bitterness of the Jews [Kenites] against him. It is one of the strongest grounds for the retention of these verses) his accusers to come to you: by having examined of whom yourself will be able to know fully concerning all these things, whereof we accuse him."
9 And the Jews (Kenites) also agreed, affirming that these things were so.
10 And Paul, after that the governor had beckoned to him to speak (Lit. the governor having nodded), answered, "Knowing [as I do[ that you have been of many years a judge to this nation (about 7 years; i.e. since 52 A.D.), I do the more cheerfully answer in regard to the things concerning myself:
11 Because that you can understand, that there are not more than twelve days from which I went up to Jerusalem to worship. (How could I have done all those things in that period of time?)
W x 11. Admission.
y 12,13. Repudiation.
z 14-16. Confession. Resurrection.
x 17,18-. Admission.
y -18-20. Repudiation.
z 21. Confession. Resurrection.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any one, or making up a seditious gathering, neither in the synagogues, nor throughout the city: (He couldn't have done these things. Why? He has the vow of a Nazarene on him)
13 Neither can they demonstrate the things concerning which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the way (Christ) which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which have been written according to the law and in the prophets: (God's Word, not someone elses, not one scholar to another.)
15 Having hope toward God, which they themselves also look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous. (He's pushing some buttons here)
16 And in this do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offense (The verb means to stumble, and this adj. here means "without stumbling") toward God, and toward men. (As long as you please God, you hope it pleases man. If not, tough!)
17 Now after many years (it was about 5 years since his previous visit) I came to bring alms (deeds) to my nation, and offerings.
18 In which (i.e. while engaged in the offerings) certain Jews from Asia (Kenites) found me purified in the temple (he wasn't causing trouble, he was under the vow), not with crowd, nor with tumult. (A Latin MS. of the 13th century adds "And they laid hands on me, crying, Away with our enemy")
19 Who ought to have been here before you, and accuse, if they had anything against me. (They should have been here witnessing)
20 Or else let these same here say, they have found what evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one utterance, that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am judged before you this day.'" (Its for that reason)
T a 22. Adjournment.
b 23. Paul in custody.
a Conferences.
b Paul in bonds.
22 Now Felix, having heard these things, knowing more perfectly (or accurately) of that way, he deferred them, and said, "When Lysias the chief captain shall descended, I will know the uttermost of your matter." (Lit. investigate thoroughly the things referring to you. This Roman had a lot of knowledge of it. He's going to have his own generals tell him what happened.)
23 And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul (probably the one that came with him), and to let him have relaxation, and that he should forbid no one of his own [people] to minister or come to him. (Remember Paul is a Roman citizen. They had to be careful. Felix, the Roman appointed to rule over Judea, allowed Paul the liberty he needed to continue writing and teaching. When God says, "He will never leave you, or forsake you", He means just that. When things get tough, remember your Father is on the throne, and He loves you.)
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla (She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and had left her 1st husband, Azizus, king of Emesa, and married Felix. It was no doubt that through her that Felix had knowledge of "the Way"), which was a Jewess (claimed to be), he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith towards Christ Jesus. (Here we have a heathen ruler and his wife listening to the Word of God.)
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come (He was almost persuaded), Felix having become terrified, answered, "Go your way for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will call for you. (The opportunity never came for hearing what Paul had to teach, though he found opportunity to see if he could get a bribe. Felix is a typical man of the world. He was almost persuaded, but then thought he had better things to do.)
26 He hoped also that money (a bribe) would have been given of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener also, and was communing with him. (This is what was really on his mind, the bribe to loose Paul. But Paul had already been loosed, or unfastened, by Felix at God's direction. Paul wasn't hampered from doing God's work by the Roman government. Who was in control, God or the Roman government? You know!)
27 But after two years being fulfilled, Porcius Festus came into Felix' room (Lit. Felix received Porcius Festus as successor): and Felix, wishing to lay up with (deposit) the Jews (Kenites) a pleasure, left Paul bound.