In today’s reading we find Paul once again pleading his case, this time in Caesarea before a Roman governor named Felix. Caesarea was a city about 50 miles NNW of Jerusalem, on the Mediterranean coast — the center of Roman rule for Samaria and Judea. Felix agreed to hear Paul’s case, but only after his accusers arrived (Acts 23:35).
Felix was most likely in office because of the influence of his brother Pallas on the emperor Claudius, and not through any accomplishments of his own. Paul no doubt was aware of the circumstances that placed Felix in office, but that didn’t much matter. He had written to the Christians in Rome probably no more than a year or two earlier, that no authority exists except what God has established (Romans 13:1). Therefore, whether occupied by a corrupt governor or not, the office that Felix held was still worthy of respect.
So Paul explains — Felix is a qualified judge (v. 10), his claims can be verified (v. 11), he was worshiping and not stirring up any dissent (v. 12), and the charges against him cannot be proven (v. 13). One thing that strikes me about Paul, is that no matter what his past actions were against the Church (Galatians 1:13), he now vigorously defends the risen Savior and His Church every chance he gets — before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23), now before Felix, and in Monday’s reading, before King Agrippa (Acts 25).
Paul had a choice here. He knew Felix’s heart, probably not through any divine revelation (though that’s a possibility), but because he was a good judge of character and student of history. Paul was fairly sure that no matter what he said, Felix wasn’t going to just let him go. The choices were simple: 1) confess to the false charges against him and accept the consequences, 2) bribe Felix to set him free (Acts 24:26), or 3) state his case plainly and accept whatever outcome that would bring. Paul may have been the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15-16), but he was also a man of integrity. Choice 3 was the only option.
Felix wasn’t the best governor in the world. In fact, the Emperor recalled him in A.D. 58 because of his incompetence. We see incompetence and greed in our world too. And, like Paul, we are faced with choices — do we give in to someone else’s greed because it’s the easy way out? Do we deal with another’s ineptitude by gossiping and complaining? Do we react to laws and rules that we don’t agree with, by ignoring the ones we don’t want to obey (like outrageously low speed limits)? Or do we face life’s circumstances the way Paul did — with integrity, in a manner worthy of the name he wore (Christian)?
People are watching. What others think does matter.