241 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders , with an attorney named Tertullus , and they brought charges to the governor against Paul . 2 After Paul had been summoned , Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "S ince we have through you attained much peace , and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation , 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere , most excellent Felix , with all thankfulness . 4 "But, that I may not weary you any further e , I beg you to grant us, by your kindness , a brief hearing . 5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world , and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . 6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple ; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law . 7 "But Lysias the commander came along , and with much violence took him out of our hands , 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him." 9 The Jews also joined in the attack , asserting that these things were so .
10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak , Paul responded : "K nowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation , I cheerfully make my defense , 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship . 12 " Neither in the temple , nor in the synagogues , nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot . 13 " Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers , believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets ; 15 having a hope in God , which these men cherish themselves , that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked . 16 "In view of this , I also do my best to maintain always e a blameless conscience both before God and before men .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 24:1-16
Commentary on Acts 24:1-9
(Read Acts 24:1-9)
See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.
Commentary on Acts 24:10-21
(Read Acts 24:10-21)
Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that gracious Being whose love is better than life.