4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
4 But, to detain
4 I'm not going to tire you out with a long speech. I beg your kind indulgence in listening to me. I'll be quite brief.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
4 But I don't want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 24:4
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.