Felix

AI summary: Felix matters because the cross references present him as the kind of official power through which the gospel must pass on its way to Rome. He listens to Paul, is disturbed by talk of righteousness and judgment, yet delays action in hope of gain and for political convenience. His handling of Paul shows how truth can unsettle a ruler without converting him. Taken together, the material presents Felix as a governor whose half-attentive conscience and compromised justice form part of the apostolic trial narrative.¹

Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul “reasoned” (Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and therefore had several interviews with him. The “worthy deeds” referred to in 24:2 was his clearing the country of banditti and impostors. At the end of a two years’ term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix (A.D. 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and malversation of office by the Jews of Caesarea. The accusation was rendered nugatory by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. (See Josephus, Ant. xx. 8, 9.) Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa, having been induced by Felix to desert her husband, the king of Emesa, became his adulterous companion. She was seated beside him when Paul “reasoned” before the judge. When Felix gave place to Festus, being “willing to do the Jews a pleasure,” he left Paul bound. ³