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Acts 24:22–23
“But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case’” (v. 22).
On trial before Felix, the governor of Judea, for causing Jews to riot and defiling the Jewish temple, Paul deftly answered the charges that the Sanhedrin made against him (Acts 24:1–21). Yet as we see in today’s passage, Paul’s answer did not induce Felix to decide in his favor. Instead, Felix said he would put off the decision until he heard directly from Lysias, the tribune who had overseen Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem and transport to Felix in Caesarea (v. 22; see 21:27–23:35). Perhaps Felix had not been swayed by the testimony of Paul or Tertullus, the lawyer who spoke for the Sanhedrin. It could also be that the delay was part of Felix’s plan to extort money from Paul, as Luke, the author of Acts, describes in Acts 24:26. In any case, Luke does not report whether Lysias ever came to Caesarea.
Interestingly, Luke does tell us that Felix had “a rather accurate knowledge of the Way” (v. 22). The governor may have been unclear regarding Paul’s innocence in the charges made against him, but he was familiar with the teachings of the Christian faith. Yet this familiarity did not amount to saving faith, as Luke will make plain in verses 24–25. Felix, then, serves as an example of one who knows much about Christianity intellectually but does not know Christ personally as Lord and Savior. It is possible to know what the Bible teaches and yet not actually believe it (e.g., see Matt. 7:21–23).
Felix delayed issuing a verdict at that time, keeping Paul in custody at the praetorium, the official residence of a Roman governor, in Caesarea. Yet the Apostle’s imprisonment was not as bad as it could have been. Felix granted Paul some liberty and allowed his friends to come and attend to his needs (Acts 24:23). That the Apostle was permitted visitors indicates that many in the church did want to see him and help meet his needs. John Calvin comments on this and the lesson it teaches us about the care we should show other believers, especially those under persecution: “Paul’s companions and the residue of the church had not forsaken him. For to what end had it been to grant liberty to his friends and acquaintance to have access unto him unless they had been present, had showed themselves to be careful for him, and had been desirous to do their duty? Therefore, let us learn by this example, that so long as we may, and are able, we must not defraud the martyrs of Christ of any manner of comfort whilst they labor for the gospel.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Felix had some knowledge of the Christian faith, but it was not a saving knowledge, a personal trust in Christ alone for salvation. It is certainly important for us to know the basic facts about the Christian faith, but a mere head knowledge of those facts will not save us. We must believe that Christ is our Savior personally, resting in Him alone for salvation.
For further study
- Leviticus 19:17–18
- Proverbs 14:21
- Matthew 25:31–46
- Hebrews 13:3
The bible in a year
- Jeremiah 46–48
- Hebrews 4:14–5:10