168
Sketches from the Life of Paul
his statements were in harmony with the letter of Claudius Lysias. Felix
himself had so long resided at Caesarea—where the Christian religion
had been known for many years—that he had a better knowledge of
that religion than the Jews supposed, and he was not deceived by their
representations. The words of Paul made a deep impression upon his
mind, and enabled him to understand still more clearly the motives
of the Jews. He would not gratify them by unjustly condemning a
Roman citizen, neither would he give him up to them to be put to death
without a fair trial. Yet Felix knew no higher motive than self-interest,
and his love of praise and desire for promotion controlled him. Fear of
offending the Jews held him back from doing justice in the case, and
releasing a man whom he knew to be innocent. He deferred all further
action in the case until Lysias should be present, saying, “When Lysias
the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your
matter.”
Paul was again placed in charge of a centurion, but with orders that
he should enjoy greater freedom than before his examination. While it
was necessary for him to be strictly guarded, as a protection from the
plots of the Jews, and also because he was still a prisoner, his friends
were to be allowed to visit him and minister to his comfort.
It was not long after this that Felix and his wife Drusilla summoned
Paul to a private interview. Drusilla felt considerable interest in the
apostle, having heard an account of him from her husband, and she
was desirous of hearing the reasons for his belief in Christ. Thus Paul,
[240]
as a prisoner of the Lord, had an opportunity to present the truths of the
gospel to some souls whom he could not otherwise have approached. A
cruel and licentious Roman governor and a profligate Jewish princess
were to be his sole audience. They were now waiting to listen to truths
which they had never listened to before, which they might never hear
again, and which, if rejected, would prove a swift witness against them
in the day of God.
Paul considered this God-given opportunity, and he improved it
faithfully. He knew that the man and woman before him had the power
to put him to death, or to preserve his life; yet he did not address them
with praise or flattery. He knew that his words would be to them a
savor of life or of death, and, forgetting all selfish considerations, he
sought to arouse them to the peril of their souls.