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. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.

After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Acts 24:24-27

And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 26:32

• Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea, unjustly held by the Roman Governor Felix and his wife, Drusilla.
• Felix represents the educated, powerful, but morally compromised Roman official who has everything the world can offer—power, wealth, and status—yet faces a crushing internal spiritual void.
• This is a profound warning against putting off a decision for Christ.

• The subjects chosen by Paul were specifically tailored to expose Felix and Drusilla's moral weaknesses.
• Felix and Drusilla, a powerful and scandalous pair.
  
  • Felix: A former slave, now a ruthless governor known for his cruelty and bribery.
  • Drusilla: The Jewish wife of Felix. She was notorious for abandoning her first husband to marry Felix, making their current union a scandal and an example of immoral indulgence.
• Paul was sent for, not to defend himself, but to speak concerning the "faith in Christ Jesus."
  
  • Paul focused on three topics that directly convicted his audience:
    
    1. Righteousness: This addresses the governor's injustice and corruption (bribery, abuse of power).
    2. Self-Control: This addresses the couple's licentiousness and immorality (Drusilla’s scandalous remarriage, their lavish lifestyle).
    3. The Judgment to Come: This addresses the absolute accountability they would face before a holy God for their unrighteousness and lack of self-control.
• Paul did not water down his message. He used the sharp, convicting truth of the Gospel to pierce the conscience of his powerful listeners.

• Felix's reaction is the classic picture of a heart convicted but unwilling to surrender.
• “Now as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified..."
  
  • The Greek word for "terrified" (emphobos) means to be filled with fear or terror. The Holy Spirit used Paul's message to make the powerful Governor tremble, revealing his moral bankruptcy and his sudden realization of divine judgment.
• Felix immediately dismisses Paul: "...and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a more convenient time I will call for you.'"
  
  • This is the fatal phrase of the unrepentant soul. Felix acknowledged the truth, felt the terror of his condition, but consciously chose to postpone the decision until a "more convenient time."
  • The moment of conviction is the most convenient time God provides. There is no guarantee that conviction will ever return with the same force. Felix chose temporary comfort over eternal security.
• Felix's subsequent actions reveal the true idol in his heart. The Gospel was not dismissed because it was illogical, but because it interfered with his greed.

• Felix's initial delay turned into a hardened rejection, leading to his final, sad end.
• Felix frequently sent for Paul, "hoping that money would be given him by Paul to procure his release."
  
  • Felix treated the Gospel message like a political negotiation. His hope was not spiritual transformation, but financial gain. His greed was stronger than his conscience.
• "But when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison."
  
  • For two full years, Felix had access to the Gospel's greatest preacher, yet his greed and procrastination led him to squander every opportunity. The chapter ends not with his conversion, but with his replacement and his final act of injustice (leaving Paul imprisoned).

The cost of delay is high…even for the believer. We often treat the Holy Spirit's conviction about a sin, a ministry opportunity, or a relational conflict the way Felix treated the Gospel. We promise God we will address it later, but "later" often becomes never, and the conviction dulls. The lesson is that convenience is not the standard for obedience. True faith demands immediate surrender to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, not waiting for a time that perfectly suits our comfort.