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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe - The political charge was much more serious, because no Roman official wanted to be guilty of permitting illegal activities that would upset the “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace). Rome had given the Jews freedom to practice their religion, but the Roman officials kept their eyes on them lest they use their privileges to weaken the Empire. When Tertullus called Paul “an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire” (WUEST), he immediately got the attention of the governor. Of course, his statement was an exaggeration, but how many court cases have been won by somebody stretching the truth? Tertullus knew that there was some basis for this charge because Paul had preached to the Jews that Jesus Christ was their King and Lord. To the Romans and the unbelieving Jews, this message sounded like treason against Caesar (Acts 16:20–21; 17:5–9). Furthermore, it was illegal to establish a new religion in Rome without the approval of the authorities. If Paul indeed was a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” then his enemies could easily build a case against him. At that time, the Christian faith was still identified with the Jews, and they were permitted by the Romans to practice their religion. There had been Gentile seekers and God-fearers in the synagogues, so the presence of Gentiles in the churches did not create legal problems. Later, when the number of Gentile believers increased and more of the congregations separated from the Jewish synagogues, then Rome saw the difference between Jews and Christians and trouble began. Rome did not want a rival religion thriving in the Empire and creating problems. (BEC) Robertson on A mover of insurrections - This was an offence against Roman law if it could be proven. “Plotted against at Damascus, plotted against at Jerusalem, expelled from Pisidian Antioch, stoned at Lystra, scourged and imprisoned at Philippi, accused of treason at Thessalonica, haled before the proconsul at Corinth, cause of a serious riot at Ephesus, and now finally of a riot at Jerusalem” (Furneaux). Specious proof could have been produced, but was not. Tertullus went on to other charges with which a Roman court had no concern (instance Gallio in Corinth - Acts 18:12, 14, 17+). Larkin makes the point that "Tertullus carefully clothes the charges in mainly political terms so that they may be viewed as violations of Roman law. He begins with empire-wide insurrection. Whether the implication is general insurrection (Latin seditio) or simply disrupting Jewish communities, this charge is serious (compare Lk 23:2; Acts 17:6-7). Emperor Claudius's letter to the Alexandrines (November 10, A.D. 41) uses similar language. He warns the Jews that if they persist in suspicious activities, he "will by all means take vengeance on them as fomenters of what is a general plague [nosos] infecting the whole world" (Greek Papyri in the British Museum [P. Lond.] 1912, line 99). " (IVP Commentary) Stirs up (present tense - continually, habitually)(2795)(kineo - Eng - kinetics) means first to put something in motion and in this passage it refers to Paul putting circumstances in motion so to speak to cause something to happen (in this case insurrection). Dissension (insurrection)(4714)(stasis from histemi = to stand) means first a stance or posture (Heb 9:8), then figuratively as in the accusation that Paul was guilty of sedition, insurrection or inciting an uprising. Luke uses stasis to describe "a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Acts 23:7). Clearly local Roman leaders feared insurrections, as for example the "town clerk" of Ephesus (Acts 19:35+) who declared "we are in danger of being accused of a riot (stasis) in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” Note that stasis applies to civil insurrection while pólemos (war) refers to foreign strife. William
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Wiersbe - Paul and the early Christians did not see themselves as “former Jews” but as “fulfilled Jews.” The Old Testament was a new book to them because they had found their Messiah. They knew that they no longer needed the rituals of the Jewish Law in order to please God, but they saw in these ceremonies and ordinances a revelation of the Saviour. (BEC) I serve (present tense - continually)(3000)(latreuo from latris = one hired or latron = reward, wages) means to work for reward, for hire or for pay, to be in servitude, render cultic service. Latreuo was used literally for bodily service (e.g., workers on the land, or slaves), and figuratively for “to cherish.” In the NT the idea is to render service to God, to worship, to perform sacred services or to minister to God in a spirit of worship (in fact in the NT uses below, note several passages clearly associate worship with serving.) Luke 1:74 "To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve (latreuo) Him without fear." Other uses in Acts - Acts 7:7; Acts 7:42; Acts 24:14; Acts 26:7; Acts 27:23. THOUGHT - In light of the secular meaning "to work for reward" certainly that is not a disciple's main motive - we serve Him because we love Him), but it is a gift of His amazing grace that not only has He saved us, but that one day He will reward us. This is what I would call grace (saved us) upon grace (rewards us)! Amazing indeed! Larkin writes that "Paul also emphasizes the Christian's continuity with Old Testament Jewish faith (BUT SEE CONSTABLE'S COMMENT BELOW). He worships the same God, the God of our fathers (Acts 3:13; 5:30; Acts 7:32 = Ex 3:6). He does so with the same belief. He believes all that is written according to the Law and in the Prophets (Lk 24:25-27, 44; Acts 26:22). His worship involves the same hope, . . . that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (Is 26:19; Dan 12:2; 1 Enoch 51:1-2). And his worship has the same aim: to live with conscience clear before God and man,no conscious record of misdeeds, in light of the coming judgment at the final resurrection (Acts 23:1). (IVP Commentary) THOUGHT - Larkin writes "For Jewish seekers and believers in any age, Paul's confession gives an encouragement that Christianity is, in the end, not a betrayal but the fulfillment of the Old Testament faith. The challenge is that this fulfillment will radically transform the Jewishness of those who step onto the "Way" inaugurated by Messiah Jesus."
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Wiersbe - Do we detect a bit of holy sarcasm in Paul’s closing statement? We might paraphrase it, “If I have done anything evil, it is probably this: I reminded the Jewish council of our great Jewish doctrine of the Resurrection.” (BEC) For the resurrection (anastasis) of the dead I am on trial before you today - Paul sums up his defense by saying that the reason the Jews want him tried is because of his belief in the resurrection. This is essentially the same statement Paul made before the Sanhedrin in Acts 23:6+. In Acts 24:15+ Paul referred to this as "a hope in God...that there shall certainly be a resurrection." The resurrection of the dead is the believer's hope, that after we die and Jesus returns there will be a resurrection of the righteous and we will receive our glorified bodies. Resurrection in Acts - Acts 1:22+; Acts 2:31+; Acts 4:2+; Acts 4:33+; Acts 17:18+; Acts 17:32+; Acts 23:6+; Acts 23:8+; Acts 24:15+; Acts 24:21+; Acts 26:23+ Trial (2919)(krino) primarily signifies to distinguish, to decide between in the sense of considering two or more things and reaching a decision as one would in a trial. THOUGHT - "Paul's introduction of the resurrection issue is not only good legal-defense strategy but also good evangelism. To speak of the final accounting before God and the eternal destiny that flows from it is to point out one of the certainties of human existence. Many may run from it, following alternate paths of personal eschatology--reincarnation or immediate annihilation. But all will have to face judgment. The resurrection of Jesus--proof of coming judgment, promise of eternal salvation--must be at the heart of all "good news" preaching (17:30-31; 26:23; Lk 24:46-47)." (Larkin) Related Resources: Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? Why should I believe in Christ's resurrection? When will the Resurrection take place? What is the first resurrection? What is the second resurrection? Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true? What is more important, the death of Christ or His resurrection? Can the various resurrection accounts from the four Gospels be harmonized? What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)? Acts 24:22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." NET Acts 24:22 Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case." GNT Acts 24:22 Ἀνεβάλετο δὲ αὐτοὺς ὁ Φῆλιξ, ἀκριβέστερον εἰδὼς τὰ περὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ εἴπας, Ὅταν Λυσίας ὁ χιλίαρχος καταβῇ, διαγνώσομαι τὰ καθ᾽ ὑμᾶς· NLT Acts 24:22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case." KJV Acts 24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. ESV Acts 24:22 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." CSB Acts 24:22 Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." NIV Acts 24:22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." NKJ 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." NRS Acts 24:22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case." YLT Acts 24:22 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;' having a more exact knowledge about the Way Ac 24:10,24 26:3 When Lysias the commander comes down: Ac 24:7 18:20 25:26 De 19:18 Acts 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL'S CASE IS "ADJOURNED" To adjourn is to announce a suspension of proceedings to another time or place. The prosecution had stated its case and rested. The defense had refuted the accusations and challenged the prosecution on the lack of facts and a lack of witnesses and Paul rested his case. But Felix, having a more exact (akribos) knowledge about the Way - More exact or more accurate than who or what? In context probably more accurate than the Jews in general but specifically the members of the Sanhedrin who were in the courtroom and through Tertullus were bringing the case against Paul for being a leader of the Way. If they had really had exact knowledge about the Way, they would not have persecuted the leader of the Way! Felix a pagan ruler knew more accurately about Christianity than the so-called religious leaders! How did Felix acquire this information? Luke does not say but we know that Philip the Evangelist lived in Caesarea and that there was a church in the city, so presumably from one or both of these sources. Drusila as a Jewess may have obtained some true knowledge of the way.
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Wiersbe - Felix saw to it that Paul was comfortably cared for while at the same time safely guarded. “Liberty” in Acts 24:23 means that he was not put in the common jail or kept in close confinement. He had limited freedom in the palace, chained to a soldier. (The guards were changed every six hours, a perfect captive congregation!) (BEC) And not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him - Felix would not forbid Paul's friends from taking care of his needs, clearly an example of favor toward Paul, sadly a "favor" that seems to have been lifted by Porcius Festus (Acts 24:27). Who would have been some of Paul's friends? One major figure would have been Philip who was mentioned as first coming to Caesarea in Acts 8:40+. He is again mentioned about 20 years later in Acts 21 (below) implying that he had remained and ministered in this city. In Acts 21 we read of others who would have likely been among the friends who could minister to Paul in prison... When we (LUKE IS WITH PAUL AT THIS TIME) had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea (BY THE SEA), and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven (Acts 6:3-5+), we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents (THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THESE WERE MEMBERS OF A CHURCH IN CAESAREA) began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:7-12+) Comment - It is fascinating that Philip, his daughters and the local residents witnessed before their very eyes the fulfillment of Agabus' prophecy! Prevent (hinder, forbid) (2967)(koluo from kólos = docked, lopped, clipped, kolazo = curtail) means to cut off, to cut short, to weaken and generally to hinder, to prevent, to restrain or to forbid by word or act. The idea is to cause something not to happen. Koluo can describe the keeping back of something from someone (Acts 10:47+ referring to the Holy Spirit). Koluo in Acts - Matt. 19:14; Mk. 9:38; Mk. 9:39; Mk. 10:14; Lk. 6:29; Lk. 9:49; Lk. 9:50; Lk. 11:52; Lk. 18:16; Lk. 23:2; Acts 8:36; Acts 10:47; Acts 11:17; Acts 16:6; Acts 24:23; Acts 27:43; Rom. 1:13; 1 Co. 14:39; 1 Thess. 2:16; 1 Tim. 4:3; Heb. 7:23; 2 Pet. 2:16; 3 Jn. 1:10 To hinder means to make slow or difficult the progress of something by interfering in some way with the activity or progress thereof. In short koluo means to make it difficult for someone to do something or for something to happen. Festus did just the opposite, surely reflecting the sovereign power of God working even in pagans (cf Pr 21:1, cf Isa 44:28 Cyrus prophesied 150 years before Cyrus lived that God would use use this pagan Persian king to gather the faithful remnant of Israel back to the Land. History is HIS-story!) Ministering (present tense)(5256)(hupereteo from huperetes = an attendant or assistant <> hupo = under + eretes = a rower ~ subordinate) means to do service. It can describe the grueling work of a rower, then to do service on board the ship and simply render service or assistance as in the present passage. I would even venture some of the friends brought Paul some of his favorite Jewish dishes! Acts 24:24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. NET Acts 24:24 Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. GNT Acts 24:24 Μετὰ δὲ ἡμέρας τινὰς παραγενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ σὺν Δρουσίλλῃ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ οὔσῃ Ἰουδαίᾳ μετεπέμψατο τὸν Παῦλον καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστεως. NLT Acts 24:24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. KJV Acts 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ESV Acts 24:24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. CSB Acts 24:24 After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. NIV Acts 24:24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. NKJ 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. NRS Acts 24:24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. YLT Acts 24:24 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, sent for Paul and heard him: Ac 26:22 Mk 6:20 Lu 19:3 23:8 speak about faith in Christ Jesus: Ac 16:31 20:21 Ga 2:16,20 3:2 1Jn 5:1 Jude 1:3 Rev 14:12 Acts 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Paul before Felix and Drusilla JUDICIAL DELAY LEADS TO GOSPEL PROCLAMATION THOUGHT - The lesson for all of us is clear - God's delays may lead to human disappointments, but remember that His delays may also lead to divine appointments, for His delays always have a higher purpose for our good and His glory. We need to learn to be patient. In this case His delay resulted in an appointment to proclaim the Gospel to Felix and Drusilla. (And notice this is a partial fulfillment of Jesus' prophetic promise - Mt 10:18-20, Mk 13:9) But some days later - Luke does not say how many days. Other occurrences of “some days” in Acts appear to designate a length of time shorter than a month (Acts 9:19; 10:48; 16:12). Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess - As noted above the fact that Felix's wife was a Jewess may explain why he had a more exact knowledge of the Way (and see the interesting dictionary notes on Drusilla - she must have been quite enticing especially to King Aziz!). Dictionary articles on Drusilla - Fausset - The fair but loose (EUPHEMISM) daughter of Herod Agrippa I and Cypros (Acts 12); sister of Herod Agrippa II; married to Azizus, king of Emesa, on his becoming a Jew; seduced by Felix, procurator of Judea, through Simon the Cyprian sorcerer (Josephus, Ant. 20:7, section 2). Present at Paul's hearing before Felix at Caesarea. By Felix she had a son, Agrippa, who perished with his mother in the Vesuvian eruption, under Titus. Holman - Wife of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea who heard Paul's case. Drusilla was a Jew and listened to Paul's arguments with her husband (Acts 24:24 ). She was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I. She had been engaged to Antiochus Ephiphanes of Commagene, but he refused to become a Jew. King Aziz of Emesa did agree to be circumcised, and they were married. Atomos, a magician from Cyprus, helped Felix win Drusilla away from her husband. Apparently, her son Agrippa died when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. She may have also died in this disaster.
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Wiersbe wrote, “It is not enough for a person to know the facts about Christ, or to have an emotional response to a message. He or she must willingly repent of sin and trust the Savior... The governor’s mind was enlightened, his emotions were stirred, but his will would not yield. He tried to gain the world, but, as far as we know, he lost his soul. He procrastinated himself into hell.” That is one of Satan’s most effective tools to use on men and women! Clarence Macartney told a story about a meeting in hell. Satan called his four leading demons together and commanded them to think up a new lie that would trap more souls. One demon said, “I have it! I’ll go to earth and tell people there is no God.” Satan said, “It will never work, people can look around them and see that there is a God.” The second demon suggested, “I’ll go and tell them there is no heaven!” Satan rejected that idea, “Everybody knows there is life after death and they want to go to heaven.” A third demon said, “Let’s tell them there is no hell!” The devil said, “No, conscience tells them their sins will be judged. We need a better lie than that.” Finally, the fourth demon said, “I think I’ve solved your problem. I’ll go to earth and tell everybody that there is no hurry.” This saying pleased Satan! (The Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts - Volume 6) The word used for that destroyer of souls is PROCRASTINATION ILLUSTRATION - Dr. George Truitt, a great preacher in the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, told this story. It was at the celebration of his fiftieth anniversary that a lawyer friend, who was not a Christian, came to him. He said, “George, you and I came here to Dallas at the same time. You were a young preacher and I was a young lawyer. I must confess that when I first heard you, I was moved a great deal by your sermons. Very frankly, there were nights when I couldn't sleep. As the years wore on, the day came when I could listen to you and enjoy hearing you. Your message didn't disturb me at all. And you're a much greater preacher today then you were at the beginning.” The lawyer laughed it off. He did not realize how tragic it was, for he procrastinated about making a decision for Christ and became dull and hardened to the truth. Procrastination means more rejection of Christ and progressive hardening to any sensitivity in spiritual matters. BEWARE OF PUTTING OFF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE AND REMEMBER THAT IF YOU PUT IT OFF YOU ARE ACTUALLY MAKING A DECISION. SO DON'T DECEIVE YOURSELF! Charles Swindoll - Wait No More Even though Felix gave Paul a hearing, he failed to act on the message that had been pricking his conscience. History shows that his attitude toward Paul and spiritual things continued to harden. As far as we can tell, Felix died in his sins. Procrastination never pays. The more you believe there is no hurry, the less concern you have for the consequences of inaction. God sent His Holy Spirit, in part, to bring fear, to make lost people aware of their guilt before their Creator. The experience of Felix—and countless procrastinators throughout history—highlights a couple of lingering lessons. First, delay hardens the heart against the edge of the sword of the Spirit. The truth of God never dulls, never loses its edge; still, the heart can grow callous so the sword no longer causes discomfort. It’s possible to become a scholarly authority on Scripture and lose the ability to be affected by the Word of God. Failing to heed its warnings and delaying necessary responses create this insensitivity. And it’s deadly! Would-be saints go to their graves without concern for what comes later. Even those who believe can harden their hearts, sometimes becoming shining-knight examples of Christianity on the outside yet completely corrupt within. Don’t put off important decisions, especially when confronted by Scripture and convicted by the Holy Spirit. Heed your concerns when they first upset your conscience. Take them to God and let Him do whatever is necessary to settle the issue. Second, delay distracts the mind with less important issues. Felix came face to face with his sin and his need for Christ, but he backed away and put off the necessary decision. He then became interested in advancing his personal agenda, increasing his power, and making money. There was suddenly a materialistic motivation for this whole religious discussion. He met with Paul for two years. He interacted personally with the most articulate spokesman for Jesus Christ in the first century—for two years! Imagine the dialogues they must have had. Yet he maintained a consistent preoccupation with the horizontal realm. This is unbelievably common in religious circles: intellectual discussions, materialistic motivation, horizontal preoccupation. People feel good about raising money for good causes, discussing deep subjects, and pleasing people, yet they never plan to say, “Before God, I am guilty. I open my life. I bow before Him. I ask Him to do radical things in my life, my home, my business, and my social contacts, because I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.” One day will be your last to heed the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have not, don’t delay. There is a heaven. There is a hell. And there is a hurry. (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary – Acts) Acts 24:10-26 A Born Atheist? By Vernon C. Grounds How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? —Hebrews 2:3 All of us have an innate sense of God’s existence (Rom. 1:18-21). But some may suppress that deep-down awareness of God and may even convince themselves that He is not real—until a moment of crisis. Novelist Eric Ambler was making a World War II documentary in Italy, The Battle of San Pietro, when exploding shells knocked him to the ground and he thought he might die. In his autobiography he wrote, “My unconscious mind chose to play a nasty trick on me. I heard myself saying, ‘Into Thy hands I commend my spirit.’” Unhurt, he resolved never to reveal that momentary abandonment of his unbelief. Such a flash of insight is a gift of grace that can cause the long-suppressed truth to become conscious trust in God. But Ambler refused to let that spark of faith become a steady flame that would illuminate the darkness of his unbelieving soul with redemptive truth. Felix, the governor of Judea, put off a decision for Christ until “a convenient time” (Acts 24:25). But convenient times have a way of eluding us. We all need to commit ourselves into the hand of God, not just at death but in life. It starts by accepting the gift of salvation by faith in His Son. Almost persuaded now to believe; Almost persuaded Christ to receive: Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go Thy way, Some more convenient day on Thee I’ll call.” —Bliss You can’t repent too soon, because you don’t know how soon it may be too late. Acts 24:26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. NET Acts 24:26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him. GNT Acts 24:26 ἅμα καὶ ἐλπίζων ὅτι χρήματα δοθήσεται αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου· διὸ καὶ πυκνότερον αὐτὸν μεταπεμπόμενος ὡμίλει αὐτῷ. NLT Acts 24:26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. KJV Acts 24:26 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. ESV Acts 24:26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. CSB Acts 24:26 At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. NIV Acts 24:26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. NKJ 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. NRS Acts 24:26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him. YLT Acts 24:26 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; he was hoping that money Ac 24:2,3 Ex 23:8 De 16:19 1Sa 8:3 12:3 2Ch 19:7 Job 15:34 Ps 26:9,10 Pr 17:8,23 19:6 29:4 Isa 1:23 33:15 56:11 Eze 22:27 Eze 33:31 Ho 4:18 12:7,8 Am 2:6,7 Mic 3:11 7:3 1Co 6:9 Eph 5:5,6 1Ti 6:9,10 2Pe 2:3,14,15 therefore he also used to send for him quite often Ac 24:24 Acts 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FELIX'S PROCRASTINATION REVEALS HIS GREED At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul - This is one of those few uses of "hope" in the NT where the word does not have the spiritual meaning of absolute certainty of future good, a hope sure. LIke I like to say Biblical hope is not like the world's hope, for ours is a "hope sure," not a "hope so!" Felix's hope was only a "hope so." "The duplicity and greed of Felix is seen in his desire to be bribed by Paul." (Toussaint) This is an amazing passage! It portrays in a microcosm the choices of all of mankind, either the eternal or the temporal. Have your pick! No middle ground! Sadly Felix seems to (at least at this time) reject the eternal, the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ro 6:23+) in lieu of love for the temporal, the possession of filthy lucre (shameful gain) rather than eternal life! One is reminded of the warning by the apostle John Do not love (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For (hinge word - term of explanation) all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but (Dramatic term of contrast!) the one who does (present tense - as one's lifestyle = direction, not perfection - the latter is called "glorification"!) the will of God lives forever (NOTE: THE "DOING" DOES NOT SAVE THAT PERSON, BUT SIMPLY SHOWS THAT PERSON IS SAVED AND HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO ENABLES THE DOING!). (1Jn 2:15-17+) James has a similar warning... You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4+)