Acts 24:25

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, etc.] The apostle not only discoursed concerning the doctrine of faith in Christ, but insisted upon the duties of religion: and particularly he reasoned upon righteousness; not justifying righteousness, that is only the righteousness of Christ, and which rather belongs to the doctrine of faith in Christ; but the exercise of justice, or the doing of righteousness between man and man; which was agreeably to the light of nature, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ, and is a virtue highly necessary in a judge, and was greatly wanting in Felix; who, as the historian says f1204, was guilty of much cruelty and injustice…”

“And as he reasoned of righteousness--with reference to the public character of Felix. temperance--with reference to his immoral life. and judgment to come--when he would be called to an awful account for both. Felix trembled--and no wonder. For, on the testimony of TACITUS, the Roman Annalist [Annals, 9; 12.54], he ruled with a mixture of cruelty, lust, and servility, and relying on the influence of his brother Pallas at court, he thought himself at liberty to commit every sort of crime with impunity. How noble the fidelity and courage which dared to treat of such topics in such a presence, and what withering power must have been in those appeals which made even a Felix to tremble! Go thy…”

“And as he reasoned - Greek: “And he discoursing” - διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ dialegomenou de autou. No argument should be drawn from the word that is used here to prove that Paul particularly appealed to reason, or that his discourse was argumentative. That it was so is, indeed, not improbable, from all that we know of the man, and from the topics on which he discoursed. But the word used here means simply as he discoursed, and is applied usually to making a public address, to preaching, etc., in whatever way it is done, Acts 17:2; Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19; Acts 19:8-9; Acts 24:12. Felix and Drusilla intended this as a matter of entertainment or amusement. Paul readily obeyed their summons,…”

“And as he reasoned of justice, temperance, and judgment to come - This was the only effectual way of preaching Christ to an unjust, lewd judge. Felix being terrified - How happily might this conviction have ended, had he been careful to pursue the views which were then opening upon his mind! But, like thousands, he deferred the consideration of these things to a more convenient season. A season which, alas! never came. For though he heard again, he was terrified no more. In the meantime we do not find Drusilla, though a Jewess, was thus alarmed. She had been used to hear of a future judgment: perhaps too she trusted to the being a daughter of Abraham, or to the expiation of the law, and so…”

“24:25 Paul’s words about righteousness, self-control, and coming divine judgment frightened Felix, who was notably corrupt (24:26-27; see study notes on 23:24; 24:24).”

“he: Act 17:2; Sa1 12:7; Isa 1:18, Isa 41:21; Rom 12:1; Pe1 3:15 righteousness: Act 24:15, Act 24:26; Sa2 23:3; Job 29:14; Psa 11:7, Psa 45:7, Psa 58:1, Psa 58:2, Psa 72:2, Psa 82:1-4; Pro 16:12; Ecc 3:16; Isa 1:21, Isa 16:5, Isa 61:8; Jer 22:3, Jer 22:15-17; Eze 45:9; Dan 4:27; Hos 10:4, Hos 10:12; Amo 5:24, Amo 6:12; Joh 16:8; Jo1 3:7, Jo1 3:10 temperance: Pro 31:3-5; Ecc 10:16, Ecc 10:17; Isa 28:6, Isa 28:7; Dan 5:1-4, Dan 5:30; Hos 7:5; Mar 6:18-24; Gal 5:23; Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12; Pe1 4:4; Pe2 1:6 judgment: Act 10:42, Act 17:13; Psa 50:3, Psa 50:4; Ecc 3:17, Ecc 5:8, Ecc 11:9, Ecc 12:14; Dan 12:2; Matt. 25:31-46; Rom 2:16, Rom 14:12; Co1 4:5; Co2 5:10; Th2 1:7-10; Ti2 4:1; Heb 6:2, Heb…”