At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
26. Hoping that money. Though Felix had thoroughly tried Paul’s integrity, so that he was ashamed to take money of the Jews for condemning him; yet forasmuch as he was a covetous man, and a man given to corruptions, he would not acquit him for nothing; for this cause he doth often call Paul, that he may with fair words put him in some hope of deliverance.
Felix knew the Way better than those Jews gave him credit for, having lived among Christians like Cornelius; he saw they were honest men, not seditious. He put off judgment, wanting to hear from Lysias himself, an impartial witness. God often shields His people through the very indifference of their enemies, if those enemies have but some glimmer of the truth.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 24:22-27
But after two years,.... Not of Felix's government, for he had been judge many years in that nation, but of the apostle's confinement at Caesarea: Porcius Festus came in Felix's room; was made governor of Judea by Nero in his stead; who having had many and loud complaints against him for malpractice, moved him: and so Josephus (f) says, that Festus succeeded Felix in the...