Chapter
Verse

Acts 24:25

ESV And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you."
NIV As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
NASB But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, 'Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.'
CSB Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you."
NLT 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.'
KJV And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
NKJV Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

What does Acts 24:25 mean?

Governor Felix may have questioned his life choices, thanks to recent events. One day, seventy horsemen arrived with a single prisoner: a Jew named Paul who was having difficulty with the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. The army tribune, Lysias, explained in a letter that the Jewish leaders seem to think he's committed an egregious crime, but all Lysias can determine is some conflict with the doctrine of their religion. When the Sanhedrin joined a murder plot against Paul, Lysias determined Felix would be better equipped to deal with the situation (Acts 23:23–35).

The trial reveals the accuracy of Lysias's judgment, but Felix doesn't want to let go of Paul. He doesn't want to irritate the Sanhedrin and risk a riot or, worse, a rebellion. But he also thinks Paul might eventually tire of his house arrest and offer him a bribe (Acts 24:26–27).

Unfortunately for Felix, he has underestimated Paul's willingness to suffer any inconvenience for the opportunity to talk about Jesus (Colossians 1:24). For the next two years, Felix calls Paul in, hoping for money, and instead gets an earful about morality. Felix had stolen his wife Drusilla, Herod Agrippa I's daughter, from another when she was sixteen. And he is so tyrannical that the infamously brutal Emperor Nero calls him back to Rome to give an account of his cruelty. Like Herod Antipas with John the Baptist, Felix is intrigued by Paul's words, but, like Herod Antipas, he is not tempted to do anything about them (Mark 6:17–20).

After two years, Felix returns to Rome and Festus takes his place. Festus meets with the Sanhedrin before he even hears of Paul and is equally disinclined to release him, forcing Paul to appeal his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). Even so, Festus doesn't act until King Agrippa II tells him he must (Acts 26:31–32).
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