Paul Brought Before Felix; Acts 24:1 – 27 Part 3

Church History: Datehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif: A.D.57 – 59

Tertullus's, on the behalf of the prosecutors, outlines the accusations against him, and he is a man that will say anything for his fee; mercenary tongues will do so. There is no cause so unjust that you cannot find advocates to plead it; and yet we hope many advocates are so just as not knowingly to patronize an unrighteous cause, but Tertullus was none of these: his speech (or at least an abstract of it, for it appears, by Tully's orations, that the Roman lawyers, on such occasions, used to make long harangues) is here reported, and it is made up of flattery and falsehood; it calls evil good, and good evil.

One of the worst of men is here applauded as one of the best of benefactors, only because he was the judge. Felix is represented by the historians of his own nation, as well as by Josephus the Jew, as a very bad man, who, depending upon his interest in the court, allowed himself in all manner of wickedness, was a great oppressor, very cruel, and very covetous, patronizing and protecting assassins. (Josephus, Antiquities 20. 162-165). And yet Tertullus here, in the name of the high priest and elders, and probably by particular directions from them and according to the instructions of his breviate, compliments him, and extols him to the sky, as if he were so good a magistrate which he never was.

They Praise him: "By thee we, of the church, enjoy great quietness, and we look upon thee as our patron and protector, and very worthy deeds are done, from time to time, to the whole nation of the Jews, by thy providence--thy wisdom, and care, and vigilance." To give him his due, he had been instrumental to suppress the insurrection of that Egyptian of whom the chief captain spoke (Acts 21:38); but will the praise of that screen him from the just reproach of his tyranny and oppression afterwards?

They promise to remain grateful to him: "We accept it always, and in all places, everywhere and at all times we embrace it, we admire it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. We will be ready, upon any occasion, to witness for thee, that thou art a wise and good governor, and very serviceable to the country."

They expect him to act in their favor and hear their case against Paul. They pretend to care, and promise not to take up too much of his time. Everybody knew that the high priest and the elders were enemies to the Roman government, and were uneasy under all the marks of that yoke, and therefore, in their hearts, hated Felix; and yet, to gain their ends against Paul, they, by their counsel, show him all this respect, as they did to Pilate and Cæsar when they were persecuting our Savior. Princes cannot always judge of the affections of their people by their applauses; flattery is one thing, and true loyalty is another.