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Acts Chapter
Twenty-four
I.
Content of the Chapter
Paul’s Witness before Felix the Governor
I. The high priest hired an orator to accuse Paul:
A. The
high priest and others came to
B. The mean adulation (v.3-4).
C. The
malicious groundless accusation (v.5-9).
1. Paul disturbed the public order everywhere.
2. Paul was a ringleader of the illegal
organization “the sect of the Nazarenes”.
3. Paul profaned the temple.
II. Paul answered for himself:
A. He
indicated that the things which they now accused him cannot be proved
(v.10-13).
B. He
confessed that he served God according to the “Way” (v.14-16).
C. He
did not break the law when he was seized in the temple (v.17-20).
D. He
was judged concerning the resurrection of the dead (v.21).
III. How Felix dealt with it:
A. He
did not make a decision immediately and he commanded the centurion to let Paul
have liberty (v.22-23).
B. He
heard Paul preach the word and was afraid (v.24-25).
C. He
hoped to take bribes and left Paul bound two years because he wanted to do the
Jews a favor (v.26-27).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Acts. 24:1 “Now after five days
Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named
Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.”
YLT: “And after five days
came down the chief priest Ananias
with the elders
and a certain orator --
Tertullus
and they made manifest to the governor [the things] against Paul;”
Meaning of Words: “orator”:
mouthpiece
speaker
the one who is good at speaking; “Ananias”: whom Jehovah
protected
the Lord is gracious; “Tertullus”: the third.
Literal Meaning: “Now after five days” “Five days” is counted from the day when
Paul was delivered to
“Came down with…and
a certain orator named Tertullus”
The “orator” was the lawyer who was good at speaking and he was hired by the
Jews to represent them to accuse Paul. “Tertullus” might be a
Acts. 24:2 “And when he was called
upon
Tertullus began his accusation
saying: ‘Seeing
that through you we enjoy great peace
and prosperity is being brought to this
nation by your foresight
”
YLT: “and he having been
called
Tertullus began to accuse [him]
saying
`Much peace enjoying through
thee
and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought
”
Meaning of
Words: “peace”:
rest
quietness; “foresight”: forethought
providence; “prosperity”: excellent
measures.
Literal
Meaning: “Seeing that through you we
enjoy great peace” It was said that
Felix used high-handed ways to rule the
“And prosperity is being brought to this
nation by your foresight” in the original
means “for your foresight reform is being brought in this nation”.
Actually he did not bring in any innovation or
reform according to the historical records.
Enlightenment in the Word: this verse fully shows the appearance of sweet
words and ingratiating manners of the worldly orators: 1) they used means to
gain the good impression of the judge; 2) they reversed the right and wrong; 3)
they were full of flattering words
acted obsequiously and ignored the
sufferings of the world.
Acts. 24:3 “we accept it always and
in all places
most noble Felix
with all thankfulness.”
YLT: “always
also
and
everywhere we receive it
most noble Felix
with all thankfulness;”
Meaning of Words: “Felix”: happy.
Enlightenment in the Word: It is not true that Christians never praise men
(See Acts. 16:2). However
the praise of Christians is based on the facts and
it is not the exaggerating false words. And their motives are not to please
others.
Acts. 24:4 “Nevertheless
not to be
tedious to you any further
I beg you to hear
by your courtesy
a few words
from us.”
YLT: “and that I may not
be further tedious to thee
I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy
gentleness;”
Literal Meaning: “not to be tedious to you
any further” It means “do not
speak idly and come back to the subject”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Too many polite remarks will contrarily be
tedious to men.
2) In the multitude of words sin is not lacking
but he who restrains his lips is wise (Prov. 10:19).
3) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in
settings of silver (Prov. 25:11).
Acts. 24:5 “For we have found this
man a plague
a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world
and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”
YLT: “for having found
this man a pestilence
and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the
world -- a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes --”
Meaning of Words: “creator”: stir;
“throughout the world”: the whole habitable earth; “Nazarene”: forest
separate; branch
maintain.
Literal Meaning: “a creator of dissension
among all the Jews throughout the world” To the Roman government
they usually did not ask
about the Jews if they argued over faith. However
if the rebellion was
involved
it was a serious crime.
“And a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes” Being a ringleader
of a sect that was not approved by the Roman authorities indeed conflicts with
the law. “The
sect of the Nazarenes” refers to the
followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Previously Jesus of Nazareth was put to death
by Pontius Pilate the Governor for the accusation of “the king of the Jews”
(Matt. 27:37) and therefore His henchmen were easily to be regarded as rebels.
“The sect of the Nazarenes” This appellation also means being
despised. Some Bible exegetes translated it into “those who follow the rules”
according to the original meaning. It means that the behaviors and performances
of Christians are praised by others.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The religion always utilizes the earthly power
to hinder the spreading of Christ’s gospel.
2) The Lord’s witness was regarded as “a plague”.
Yes
if we preach the gospel for the Lord faithfully
great influence will be
brought to the society
the infectiousness of the influence is great and the
extension is fast. And it is indeed as the plague in the sight of those who are
hostile to the gospel.
3) The coming of the gospel is to establish a new
relationship and order in our hearts
the family and the society. It is indeed
an earth shaking change. And therefore from this aspect
believers should play
a role of “a
creator of dissension throughout the world”.
Acts. 24:6 “He even tried to profane
the temple
and we seized him
and wanted to judge him according to our law.”
YLT: “who also the temple
did try to profane
whom also we took
and according to our law did wish to
judge
”
Meaning of Words: “profane”:
desecrate
blaspheme.
Literal Meaning: “He even tried to profane
the temple” The Roman
Government allowed the Jews to have the decision-making power over the temple
in order to appease the Jews. If somebody brings the Gentiles to rush into the
inner court of the temple presumptuously and profane the temple
the Jews are
specially allowed to put them to death according to the Jewish law (See the
background in Acts. 21:28).
“Tried” shows that their
accusation had come down to the stage of the planning of scheme from the actual
profanity of the temple (Acts. 21:28).
Acts. 24:7 “But the commander Lysias
came by and with great violence took him out of our hands
”
YLT: “and Lysias the
chief captain having come near
with much violence
out of our hands did take
away
”
Literal Meaning: “with great
violence” means walking rudely and unreasonably.
Acts. 24:8 “commanding his accusers
to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of
which we accuse him."”
YLT: “having commanded
his accusers to come to thee
from whom thou mayest be able
thyself having
examined
to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;'”
Meaning of Words: “examine”: question
carefully
see through.
Literal Meaning: “By examining him yourself
you may ascertain” It shows that they
were confident of Felix’s judgment.
Acts. 24:9 “And the Jews also
assented
maintaining that these things were so.”
YLT: “and the Jews also
agreed
professing these things to be so.”
Literal Meaning: this verse shows
that the multitudes who were present all supported Tertullus’ accusation to
Paul.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The religion always cooperates with the world
and they do not hesitate to bear false witness in order to achieve their
aim.
2)
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false
witness will utter lies (Prov. 14:5).
Acts. 24:10 “Then Paul
after the
governor had nodded to him to speak
answered: ‘Inasmuch
as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation
I do the
more cheerfully answer for myself
”
YLT: “And Paul answered
-- the governor having beckoned to him to speak -- `Knowing [that] for many
years thou hast been a judge to this nation
the more cheerfully the things
concerning myself I do answer;”
Meaning of Words: “judge”: decide
settle a lawsuit; “answer for”: defend.
Literal Meaning: “answered” the
following words was Paul’s second defense that was recorded in this book.
“Inasmuch as I know that you have been
for many years a judge of this nation”
Paul’s words mean that since Felix had ruled the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians are not suitable to use flattering
words (1Thess. 2:5) or flatter people to gain advantage (Jude. 17).
2) It is not true that Christians never defend for
themselves
however
the motive for our defense is not to justify or exalt
ourselves but to testify the Lord’s grace and guidance upon us (See Acts.
23:11).
Acts. 24:11 “because you may ascertain
that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to
YLT: “thou being able to
know that it is not more than twelve days to me since I went up to worship in
Jerusalem
”
Meaning of Words: “no more than”: not
more than
at most.
Literal Meaning: “since I went up to Jerusalem
to worship” It shows that the
aim that he went up to Jerusalem was to “worship” instead of “creating
dissension” (See v.5).
“It is no more than twelve days” “Twelve days” included seven days in
“Twelve days” was also an
important guidance of time. According to it we could figure out that Paul was
arrested during the last two days of the “seven days” (Acts. 21:27) because he
went up to the temple the third day he arrived at
Enlightenment in the Word: The fact speaks louder than eloquence. The best
defense that we could make for ourselves is to state the fact.
Acts. 24:12 “And they neither found me
in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd
either in the
synagogues or in the city.”
YLT: “and neither in the
temple did they find me reasoning with any one
or making a dissension of the
multitude
nor in the synagogues
nor in the city;”
Meaning of Words: “disputing”: reason;
“inciting” (there are two words in the original): concourse
pressing
collusion (the first word); making
doing (the second word).
Literal Meaning: “disputing with anyone nor
inciting the crowd” “Disputing” was
towards the opposers and “inciting” was towards the crowd. They are the two
common ways to create the dissension.
Acts. 24:13 “Nor can they prove the
things of which they now accuse me.”
YLT: “nor are they able
to prove against me the things concerning which they now accuse me.”
Literal Meaning: “Nor can they prove the
things” It means that they
cannot provide the proof of their accusation.
Acts. 24:14 “But this I confess to
you
that according to the Way which they call a sect
so I worship the God of
my fathers
believing all things which are written in the Law and in the
Prophets.”
YLT: “`And I confess this
to thee
that
according to the way that they call a sect
so serve I the God
of the fathers
believing all things that in the law and the prophets have been
written
”
Meaning of
Words: “sect”:
heresy
a party; “worship”: worship as priests.
Literal Meaning: “that according to the Way
which they call a sect” The Jews regarded
the faith of Christ as “heresy”
i.e. the faith that is against Judaism.
“According to the Way…so I worship the God of my fathers” The early Christians called their movement
“the Way” (Acts. 8:39; 9:2; 13:10; 16:17; 18:25-26; 19:9
23; 22:4; 24:14
22;
1Cor. 12:31) because they held that the movement was the fulfillment of the
faith of Israel and the only way to achieve the salvation.
“The God of my fathers” shows that the God that
they worshipped is the same true God that those who accused them worshipped.
“Believing all things which are written
in the Law and in the Prophets” It means that his
faith continued the Jewish orthodox classics.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “But this I confess to you” It is a must that Christians confess their faith.
It is the confession of glory and witness.
2) Many believers are afraid of confessing their
faith
and they merely want to be Christians secretly. Those who hold such
attitude will never be good Christians.
3) Christians walk according to the teachings of
the Bible and therefore their walkings are in accord with the Bible.
Acts. 24:15 “I have hope in God
which
they themselves also accept
that there will be a resurrection of the dead
both of the just and the unjust.”
YLT: “having hope toward
God
which they themselves also wait for
[that] there is about to be a rising
again of the dead
both of righteous and unrighteous;”
Meaning of Words: “hope”: faith;
“accept”: except
look for.
Literal Meaning: “that there will be a
resurrection of the dead
both of the just and the unjust” is the hope of “the general resurrection”.
Men do not perish and they shall resurrect after death and face the judgment
(Heb. 9:27). Men shall be rewarded according to their works during their
lifetime (Matt. 16:27;
“Which they themselves also accept” “They” refers to the majority of the Jews
especially the Pharisees.
Controversial Clarification: though the dead shall all resurrect
there
are two batches of resurrection: 1) the first resurrection is before the
kingdom of a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). When Christ comes for a second time
the resurrection merely happens upon the dead in Christ (1Cor. 15:23; 1Thess.
4:16). This resurrection is for life and reward (John. 5:28-29; Luke. 14:14)
and therefore it is also called “the outstanding resurrection” (Pill. 3:11). 2)
The second resurrection is after the kingdom of a thousand years and it happens
upon the others (Rev. 20:5). This resurrection is for judgment and they shall
be condemned and perish forever (John. 5:29b; Rev. 20:12-15).
Please note that concerning what the
Lord Jesus had mentioned in Matt. 25 that the Son of man shall gather all the
nations for judgment when He comes (Matt. 25:31-46)
the objects are all the
nations who are alive when the Lord comes for a second time. It is different
from the matter that the dead shall resurrect and be judged. Please see my
book------the notes of the Gospel of Matthew
concerning the meaning of the
scriptures.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If Christians do not have the hope of
resurrection and in this life only we have hope in Christ
we are of all men
most miserable (1Cor. 15:19; 1Thess. 4:13).
2) If the dead does not rise
‘Let us eat and
drink
for tomorrow we die!’ (1Cor. 15) Since men end after death
what’s the
meaning of our walking in this life?
3) The resurrection
of believers is different from that of the world. The ending of the world after
resurrection is judgment and perdition
however
the ending of believers after
resurrection is the hope of glory.
4) Christians should live with the aim of gaining
the Lord’s reward after resurrection in future (Pill. 3:11-14).
5) “Finally
there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness
which the Lord
the righteous Judge
will give to me on that
Day” (2Tim. 4:7-8). It is also the faith and hope that every Christian should
have.
Acts. 24:16 “This being so
I myself
always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”
YLT: “and in this I do
exercise myself
to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men
always.”
Meaning of Words: “strive to”: make
effort
endeavor; “without offense”: do not offend
without iniquities.
Literal Meaning: “This being so
I myself
always strive to” “This being so”
shows the principle of walking which Paul boasted of in this verse is according
to the faith in the previous verse.
“Have a conscience without offense” “Have” in the original is “exercising
myself”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “This being so” in the beginning of this verse
shows that after we have got the spiritual vision
we have to put it into
practice in our earthly life. If our witness of life is unworthy of our
spiritual vision
it is in vain no matter how excellent the vision that we have
seen is.
2) The vision must control the real witness of
life. Only when what we have seen is in accord with what we have lived out will
we not humiliate the name of the Lord and be worthy to be called the Lord’s
strong witnesses.
3) The faith of Christians should influence others’
way of life. If we do not conduct ourselves worthily of the glad tidings of
Christ (See Pill. 1:27)
it shows that our faith has been disconnected from
reality.
4) Christians must keep the balance between “God”
and “men” in their life. If we are merely concerned about God and do not take
care of men
it is easy for us to be unbalanced and we may become “the
spiritual strangers”. However
if we are merely concerned about men and ignore
God
it is easy for us to be false and affected and we may be the hypocritical.
5) We believers should make a habit that the moment
we find out our faults
we deal with them immediately so that we do not have
the sense of offense and condemnation in our conscience.
6) Whenever our conscience is not good
we cannot
have confidence towards God because “if our heart does not condemn us
we have
confidence toward God” (1John. 3:21).
7) Once we do not have confidence towards God
our
fellowship with God has estrangement immediately. The moment the conscience is
not good
the fellowship will not be good. God has communion with us according
to our conscience.
8) The offense of conscience is easy to hinder our
fellowship with God in the consciousness because “if our heart condemns us
God
is greater than our heart” (1John. 3: 20). God shall condemn what our
conscience condemns.
9) Only those who have “a pure heart” are able to
“serve God” (2Tim. 1:3).
10) Conscience is the organ of faith. Good
conscience is closely related to great faith. Once one’s conscience is not
good
his faith shall be weakened immediately. “Love is out of a pure heart
and of a good conscience
and of faith unfeigned” (1Tim. 1:5); “hold faith and
a good conscience” (1Tim. 1:19).
11) The sense of our conscience grows with the
degree of our spiritual life. As long as it is the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit
the more would be the better. Conscience is God’s brake. It makes us fell
that something is wrong and we’d better amend it and then continue our work. If
we are willing to listen to the conscience
we shall prevent more works from
being destroyed later.
12) When the spiritual life of believers achieves a
degree
the witness that the conscience bears is almost the same with the
witness that the Holy Spirit bears. Because when one’s conscience is fully
controlled by the Holy Spirit
the sense of conscience becomes shaper and
sharper day by day. And the Holy Spirit speaks to believers through the
conscience------“my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost” (Rom.
9:1).
13) If we want to have a conscience without offense
towards men
we have to do that towards God first because once we have a
conscience with offense towards God
we have a conscience with offense towards
men. And therefore all believers who want to live a spiritual life should
pursue a good conscience towards God (1Pet. 3:21).
14) We should have a good conscience towards both
God and men. We could do many things before God but we cannot do them before
men. When we have a good conscience towards men
we are able to have good
witness before men.
15) One’s good behaviors are useless if his
conscience is not good. When one’s conscience is good
it does not matter even
if he is misunderstood or slandered by others. Because “having a good
conscience
that when they defame you as evildoers
those who revile your good
conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1Pet. 3:16).
Acts. 24:17 “‘Now
after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation
”
YLT: “`And after many
years I came
about to do kind acts to my nation
and offerings
”
Meaning of Words: “alms”: charity
almsgiving; “offerings”: sacrifice
gifts.
Literal Meaning: “bring alms…to my nation”
It is the only verse in which that Paul went to
“And offerings” might be the offerings that those who wanted to
accomplish their vows offered in the days of purification and Paul helped them
(Acts. 21:27-29).
Acts. 24:18 “in the midst of which
some Jews from
YLT: “in which certain
Jews from
Literal Meaning: “in the midst of which some
Jews from
Acts. 24:19 “They ought to have been
here before you to object if they had anything against me.”
YLT: “whom it behoveth to
be present before thee
and to accuse
if they had anything against me
”
Literal Meaning: “They ought to have been
here before you” It shows that the
Jews who came to
Acts. 24:20 “Or else let those who are
here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the
council
”
YLT: “or let these same
say if they found any unrighteousness in me in my standing before the
sanhedrim
”
Meaning of Words: “wrongdoing”:
iniquity
matter of wrong
evil doing.
Literal Meaning: “if they found…in me while I stood before the council” “They” refers to the Jews who accused Paul
before the governor.
In this verse Paul challenged the
present Jews to explain that which sin he had committed before them.
Acts. 24:21 “unless it is for this one
statement which I cried out
standing among them
‘Concerning
the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’”
YLT: “except concerning
this one voice
in which I cried
standing among them -- Concerning a rising
again of the dead I am judged to-day by you.'”
Meaning of Words: “statement”: voice
note; “cried out”: cry.
Literal Meaning: “unless it is for this one
statement which I cried out” This sentence that
Paul cried out was recorded in Acts. 23:6.
Acts. 24:22 “But when Felix heard these
things
having more accurate knowledge of the Way
he adjourned the proceedings
and said
‘When Lysias the commander
comes down
I will make a decision on your case.’”
YLT: “And having heard
these things
Felix delayed them -- having known more exactly of the things
concerning the way -- saying
`When Lysias the chief captain may come down
I
will know fully the things concerning you;'”
Meaning of Words: “accurate”:
correctly
completely
comprehensively.
Literal Meaning: “having more accurate
knowledge of the Way” “More accurate
knowledge” is the formal term. It indicates that Felix knew the doctrines of
Christianity more than common ones. His knowledge of the faith of Christianity
may be from his wife Drusilla
who was Jewish (See the note in v.24).
“He adjourned the proceedings and said” “Adjourning the proceedings” means “do not
speak”
i.e. not declaring his conclusion on the spot. Obviously Felix knew
that Paul did not commit any sin which conflicted with the Roman law. However
if he declared that Paul was guiltless
he would offend the Jewish leaders. And
therefore he used the expedient way and put off the trial for the sake of the
politics and would unfold the answer in the appropriate condition.
“When Lysias the commander comes down” Actually it was the device of delay.
Whether the commander went to
Acts. 24:23 “So he commanded the
centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty
and told him not to forbid
any of his friends to provide for or visit him.”
YLT: “having given also a
direction to the centurion to keep Paul
to let [him] also have liberty
and to
forbid none of his own friends to minister or to come near to him.”
Meaning of Words: “let him have
liberty”: have ease
comfortable.
Literal Meaning: “to let him have liberty” means giving him a kind of freedom. Since
Paul was a Roman citizen and was not condemned for any accusation
he was
treated differently from the common prisoners and he was put under house
arrest. It was like the condition under which he waited to be tried in
Acts. 24:24 “And after some days
when
Felix came with his wife Drusilla
who was Jewish
he sent for Paul and heard
him concerning the faith in Christ.”
YLT: “And after certain
days
Felix having come with Drusilla his wife
being a Jewess
he sent for
Paul
and heard him concerning the faith toward Christ
”
Meaning of Words: “Drusilla”: watered
by dew
women decrease; “concerning”: about.
Literal Meaning: “Drusilla
who was Jewish” “Drusilla” was the youngest daughter of
Herod Antipas I. She was married to Emesa first and then was remarried to Felix
and became his third wife.
Acts. 24:25 “Now as he reasoned about
righteousness
self-control
and the judgment to come
Felix was afraid and
answered
‘Go away for now; when I have
a convenient time I will call for you.’”
YLT: “and he reasoning
concerning righteousness
and temperance
and the judgment that is about to be
Felix
having become afraid
answered
`For the present be going
and having
got time
I will call for thee;'”
Meaning of Words: “righteousness”:
justice
equity
justification; “self-control”: temperance; “was afraid”: in
fear
alarmed; “have a convenient time”: have got time
have the appropriate
opportunity.
Literal Meaning: “as he reasoned about
righteousness
self-control
and the judgment to come” “Reasoned” in the original means reasoning
discussing and debating completely. “Righteousness” means walking righteously:
dealing with government affairs justly
treating others without partiality and
so on. “Self-control” means controlling the fleshly lust and not giving
themselves to it.
“The judgment to come” refers to God’s judgment to men in the
last day.
“Felix was afraid” Surely his behaviors did not tally with
the qualifications of righteousness and self-control and facing the coming
judgment
he was unavoidably uneasy and afraid.
“When I have a convenient time I will
call for you” “When I have a
convenient time” means that “though my heart is willing
I was held up by the
circumstances. And therefore I cannot determine to receive the gospel and
probably the circumstances change in future and then I will receive the gospel
willingly”. It is the quibble that the world evades the gospel. Probably the
desire
pride
covetousness
ambition and others made Felix feel that he
couldn’t immediately change his way of life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should pray to the Lord to help us that
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts
we should live soberly
righteously
and
godly in the present age (Tit. 2:12).
2) Watchman Nee wrote a poem that
“I’m daily
gazing at the light out of His judgment seat
that all my livings and works may
stand the test of fire”.
3) “When I have a convenient time” Many people are moved after they have heard the
gospel
and unfortunately they have not declared their ambition to repent and
receive the gospel and make an excuse to flee and they perish finally.
4) When preaching the gospel
if we find the friend
who has heard the gospel is moved
we should try our best to seize the chance
to let him declare his ambition
lest the regret be brought about.
5) The key of Felix’s “convenient time” and
“inconvenience” does not lie in time but his evil intention (See v.26). If one
lacks the will of repentance
it is impossible for him to be saved.
Acts. 24:26 “Meanwhile he also hoped
that money would be given him by Paul
that he might release him. Therefore he
sent for him more often and conversed with him.”
YLT: “and at the same
time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul
that he may release
him
therefore
also sending for him the oftener
he was conversing with him;”
Meaning of Words: “hope”: in hope of;
“converse”: commune
talk.
Literal Meaning: “Meanwhile he also hoped
that money would be given him by Paul”
Probably Paul mentioned that he brought alarms and offerings to Jerusalem in
his previous explanation (See v.17) and the Gentile churches always helped him
when he was in prison (See Pill. 2:5) and therefore the covetous officer
misunderstood that he would have money from Paul.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Felix hoped for money wholeheartedly and ignored
the judgment to come (See v.25). Satan always makes men think only of the
present and ignore the eternity.
2) “The greed for money” always makes men overcome
“fear” (See v.25) and do things that they should not do.
3) Hoping to gain money by talking about the word
is another kind of “holding gain to be piety” (1Tim. 6:5). Today
many people
make use of believing in the Lord Jesus and actually want to gain the earthly
and material benefits.
4) Satan torments the children of God “more often”
and wastes their “time” continually. Paul
the apostle with great power and
gifts
was invited by Felix to converse with him and after two years (See
v.27)
Felix was still not saved. It is Satan that utilized Felix to torment
Paul. At that time Paul was not free
however
today we should find out the
deceit of Satan and reject the things without effect.
Acts. 24:27 “But after two years
Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix
wanting to do the Jews a favor
left
Paul bound.”
YLT: “and two years
having been fulfilled
Felix received a successor
Porcius Festus; Felix also
willing to lay a favour on the Jews
left Paul bound.”
Meaning of Words: “do…a favor”: show
favor for reward.
Literal Meaning: “after two years”
According to the Roman law at that time
one who was not condemned could not be
taken in more than two years
showing that Paul was ill-treated by Felix.
“Porcius Festus succeeded Felix” “Porcius Festus”
succeeded Felix and became the Jewish governor A.D.60. He tried his best to
recover the order of the
Felix was removed from office and recalled by the
Roman government because he dealt with the disorder of the race of
“And Felix
wanting to do the Jews a
favor
left Paul bound” Felix was accused
of misconducting himself in office and had to face the Jews in the Roman court.
And therefore he did not want to stir up more Jews because of Paul
lest it be
unfavorable to him.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Appearance of the World
I. They are eloquent
flatter those who are with
power and influence in order to achieve their aim (v.2-4).
II. They fabricate various excuses and condemn
others in order to uproot those who hold views different from them (v.5-8).
III. They gang up
echo with each other and bear
the false witness (v.9).
IV. They seek for the truth outwardly but actually
love sin inwardly (v.24-25).
V. They care only about raking in money and walk
with the purpose of gains (v.26).
VI. They disregard righteousness in order to keep
themselves and sacrifice others in order to do the multitudes a favor (v.27).
The Four Accusations which the Lord’s
Witness Was Faced with
II. “A creator of dissension among all the Jews
throughout the world” (v.5b)------attempt to disturb and change the present social
order.
III. “A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”
(v.5c)------be subordinate to the heretical sect that is not approved by the
present reins of government.
IV. “He even tried to profane the temple”
(v.6)------do not respect others’ religious belief.
But This
II. The only thing that believers
confess------believe in the true God (v.14-16).
III. The only motive for believers’
walking------help others (v.17-20).
IV. The only thing for which believers are
condemned by the world------preach the truth (v.21).
The Example of Paul’s Defense
I. Honor the law and discipline and he was neither
haughty nor humble (v.10-13).
II. It was fair and reasonable and it was the fact
(v.10-13).
III. He clearly expressed that what he believed and
preached was according to the Bible (v.14).
IV. He clearly knew the center and key of his faith
(v.15).
V. He had a conscience without offense toward God
and men and he walked frankly and righteously (v.16).
VI. He was willing to benefit his brothers and help
those who were in need. He did not show off what he did
however
he was
well-known by others (v.17).
VII. He expressed the fact in a simple direct way
and was confident in his behaviors (18-19).
VIII. He was responsible for his words and did not
lie (v.20-21).
The Illustration of Procrastination
II. “When I have a convenient time” (v.25)------he
was moved in his heart
however
he was unwilling to receive Jesus as his
Savior.
III. “More often…after two years” (v.26-27)------he
delayed again and again and finally lost the chance.
The Reason for the Perdition of the World
I. He had “more accurate knowledge” but “adjourned
the proceedings” (v.22).
II. He heard “the faith” but was unwilling to
“believe the way” (v.24-25).
III. He only considered “the present reality”
(v.26) but ignored “the judgment to come” (v.25).
IV. He sacrificed others for his personal gain
(v.27).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren