Acts 24:25

He reasoned. Paul’s training, particularly under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, had no doubt developed the natural powers of his mind and his skill in public address. His personal contact with the Lord by vision, near Damascus, and in the Temple in Jerusalem (chs. 9:4-6; 22:17, 18), and the energizing power of the Holy Spirit had provided him with a clear concept of truth that made possible a logical presentation of the vital gospel truths that were so dear to his heart. Years of experience in preaching had made his presentation of the gospel a powerful force to win men to God.

Righteousness. Gr. dikaiosune (see on Rom. 1:17). Here Paul no doubt speaks of a right attitude and right conduct toward both God and one’s fellow men. In this word Luke sums up Paul’s exposition of the great truths of the law and the gospel (see on Micah 6:8; Matt. 22:36-40). Felix’ conscience must have stirred uneasily as he reflected upon his own conduct (see on Acts 24:2). Little wonder that he trembled when Paul spoke and imagined himself standing at the judgment bar of God.

Temperance. Gr. egkrateia, “self-control,” or mastery of the appetites and passions (see on Gal. 5:23). This trait of character is of particular importance in a leader, and Paul doubtless explained to Felix how he might attain to it.

Judgment. Gr. krima, the sentence resulting from judgment (see on John 9:39), here, the final judgment. Felix now sat as a judge; then he would stand as the accused before the bar of God. The rapacity, cruelty, and profligacy of Felix (Tacitus Annals xii. 54; History v. 9) made Paul’s message particularly appropriate. Paul either knew the character of the man to whom he was speaking or was led by the Holy Spirit to stress the very things Felix needed. Paul was not merely an ethical teacher; he did not confine himself to abstract arguments on the beauty and utility of justice and temperance. His words were intensely practical, and constituted Heaven’s invitation to Felix and his wife to turn to the true God.

Trembled. Gr. emphobos, “terrified,” “affrighted.” The word denotes not physical but mental agitation. The Holy Spirit was working on the troubled conscience of the procurator, reproving him “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Like the devils, Felix believed and trembled (James 2:19) — in spirit. The governor, who was denying Paul justice in the hope of earning a bribe for his release, trembled at the thought of accounting for his deeds before the Judge of the universe.

A convenient season. Felix stilled his conscience by postponing a personal decision. He did not reject the call of the Holy Spirit outright, but, vacillating in the face of a decision for the right, determined to put off the painful business of setting his personal affairs in order. The most “convenient season” for this often unpleasant task is always the present, but for the man of guilty conscience the present is always a most inconvenient and troublesome time.

I will call. Felix called Paul again and again (v. 26), but never came to the point of decision. He never found the “convenient season” of which he spoke.