Felix
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Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Felix

happy, prosperous

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Felix

(happy), a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions. St. Paul was brought before Felix in Caesarea. He was remanded to prison, and kept there two years in hopes of extorting money from him. (Acts 24:26,27) At the end of that time Porcius Festus [FESTUS, PORCIUS] was appointed to supersede Felix, who, on his return to Rome, was accused by the Jews in Caesarea, and would have suffered the penalty due to his atrocities had not his brother Pallas prevailed with the emperor Nero to spare him. This was probably about A.D. 60. The wife of Felix was Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I., who was his third wife and whom he persuaded to leave her husband and marry him.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Felix

A Roman governor of Judea; originally a slave, but manumitted and promoted by Claudius Caesar, from whom he received the name of Claudius. He is described by the historian Tacitus as cruel, licentious, and base. In Judea he married Drusilla, sister of the younger Agrippa, having enticed her from her second husband Azizus. Paul having been sent by Lysias to Caesarea, then the seat of government, Felix gave him an audience, and was convinced of his innocence. Nevertheless he kept him a prisoner, though with many alleviation's, in hopes that his friends would purchase his liberty by a heavy bribe. Meanwhile his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, desired to hear Paul explain the new religion; and the apostle being summoned before them, discoursed with his usual boldness on justice, chastity, and the final judgment. Felix trembled, but hastily remanded Paul to confinement, and stifled his convictions-a melancholy instance of the power of lust and the danger of delay. Two years after, A. D. 60, he was recalled to Rome; and left Paul in prison, in order to appease the Jews. He was brought to trial, however, for maladministration, found guilty, and barely escaped death through the intercession of his brother Pallas, another royal favorite, Acts 23:26; 24:1-27.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul "reasoned" (Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and therefore had several interviews with him. The "worthy deeds" referred to in 24:2 was his clearing the country of banditti and impostors.

At the end of a two years' term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix (A.D. 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and malversation of office by the Jews of Caesarea. The accusation was rendered nugatory by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. (see Josephus, Ant. xx. 8, 9.)

Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa, having been induced by Felix to desert her husband, the king of Emesa, became his adulterous companion. She was seated beside him when Paul "reasoned" before the judge. When Felix gave place to Festus, being "willing to do the Jews a pleasure," he left Paul bound.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FELIX; ANTONIUS

fe'-liks, an-to'-ni-us (Phelix, from Latin felix, "happy"): A Roman procurator of Judea, appointed in succession to Cumanus by the emperor Claudius. The event which led to the introduction of Felix into the narrative of Acts was the riot at Jerusalem (Acts 21:27). There Paul, being attacked at the instigation of the Asiatic Jews for alleged false teaching and profanation of the temple, was rescued with difficulty by Lysias the chief captain. But Lysias, finding that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that therefore the secret plots against the life of his captive might entail serious consequences upon himself, and finding also that Paul was charged on religious rather than on political grounds, sent him on to Felix at Caesarea for trial (Acts 21:31-23:34). On his arrival, Paul was presented to Felix and was then detained for five days in the judgment hall of Herod, till his accusers should also reach Caesarea (Acts 23:33-35). The trial was begun, but after hearing the evidence of Tertullus (see TERTULLUS) and the speech of Paul in his own defense, Felix deferred judgment (Acts 24:1-22). The excuse he gave for delay was the non-appearance of Lysias, but his real reason was in order to obtain bribes for the release of Paul. He therefore treated his prisoner at first with leniency, and pretended along with Drusilla to take interest in his teaching. But these attempts to induce Paul to purchase his freedom failed ignominiously; Paul sought favor of neither Felix nor Drusilla, and made the frequent interviews which he had with them an opportunity for preaching to them concerning righteousness and temperance and the final judgment. The case dragged on for two years till Felix, upon his retirement, "desiring to gain favor with the Jews. left Paul in bonds" (Acts 24:27). According to the Bezan text, the continued imprisonment of Paul was due to the desire of Felix to please Drusilla.

Felix was the brother of Pallas, who was the infamous favorite of Claudius, and who, according to Tacitus (Annals xiii. 14), fell into disgrace in 55 A.D. Tacitus implies that Felix was joint procurator of Judea, along with Cumanus, before being appointed to the sole command, but Josephus is silent as to this. Both Tacitus and Josephus refer to his succeeding Cumanus, Josephus stating that it was at the instigation of Jonathan the high priest. There is some doubt as to the chronology of Felix' tenure of office. Harnack and Blass, following Eusebius and Jerome, place his accession in 51 A.D., and the imprisonment of Paul in 54-56 A.D.; but most modern commentators incline to the dates 52 A.D. and 56-58 A.D. These latter interpret the statement of Paul, "Thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation" (Acts 24:10), as referring to some judicial office, not necessarily that of co-procurator (see Tacitus), previously held by Felix in the time of Cumanus, and argue that this earlier connection of Felix with Judea supplied a reason for the advocacy by Jonathan of Felix' claims to the procuratorship on the deposition of Gumanus. The testimony of Acts as to the evil character of Felix is fully corroborated by the writings of Josephus (BJ, II, xiii). Although he suppressed the robbers and murderers who infested Judea, and among them the "Egyptian" to whom Lysias refers (Acts 21:38), yet "he himself was more hurtful than them all." When occasion offered, he did not hesitate to employ the sicarii (see ASSASSINS) for his own ends. Trading upon the influence of his brother at court, his cruelty and rapacity knew no bounds, and during his rule revolts became continuous, and marked a distinct stage in that seditious movement which culminated in the outbreak of 70 A.D. (so Schurer). His leaving Paul in bonds was but a final instance of one who sacrificed duty and justice for the sake of his Own unscrupulous selfishness. For more detailed information as to dates, etc., compare Knowling (Expos Greek Test., II, 477).

C. M. Kerr

Greek
5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea
... 5343, 5344. Phelix. 5345 . "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea. Part of
Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Phelix Phonetic Spelling: (fay'-lix ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5344.htm - 7k
Library

The Octavius of Minucius Felix
The Octavius of Minucius Felix. <. The Octavius of Minucius Felix
Minucius Felix. Translated by the Rev. Robert Ernest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/felix/the octavius of minucius felix/

Paul Before Felix
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END PAUL BEFORE FELIX. 'Then Paul, after that the
governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul before felix.htm

Felix Before Paul
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END FELIX BEFORE PAUL. ... Felix and his brother had been favourite
slaves of the Emperor, and so had won great power at court. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/felix before paul.htm

Paul and Felix
... SERMON XII."PAUL AND FELIX. Acts 24:25. And ... Let us take this latter question
first. About what did St. Paul reason before Felix? About ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xii paul and felix.htm

Felix is Made Procurator of Judea; as Also Concerning Agrippa ...
... From Fadus The Procurator To Florus. CHAPTER 7. Felix Is Made Procurator Of
Judea; As Also Concerning Agrippa, Junior And His Sisters. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 felix is made.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... PAUL BEFORE FELIX. ... He sent him under a strong guard to Felix the governor of Judea,
who resided in Cesarea, and gave orders to his accusers to follow him. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

Paul's Sermon Before Felix
... Paul's Sermon Before Felix. A Sermon (No.171). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, January
10, 1858, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/pauls sermon before felix.htm

Epistle xvi. From Felix Bishop of Messana to St. Gregory.
... Epistle XVI. From Felix Bishop of Messana to St. Gregory. From Felix
Bishop of Messana [243] to St. Gregory. To the most ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xvi from felix bishop.htm

The Elder Felix of Migirpa Said: "I Think that Every one Coming ...
... Book VI. Chapter 9. " 13. The elder Felix of Migirpa said: "I think that every one
coming from? "13. ... To what Felix of Migirpa said we answer as follows. ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 9 13 the.htm

Epistle Lxxix. The Answer of Felix, Jader, Polianus, and the Rest ...
... Epistle LXXIX. The Answer of Felix, Jader, Polianus, and the Rest of the Martyrs,
to Cyprian. ... I Felix wrote this; I Jader subscribed it; I Polianus read it. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxix the answer of.htm

Thesaurus
Felix (11 Occurrences)
... At the end of a two years' term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix
(AD 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and ...
/f/felix.htm - 15k

Antonius
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia FELIX; ANTONIUS. ... The event which led to the introduction
of Felix into the narrative of Acts was the riot at Jerusalem (Acts 21:27). ...
/a/antonius.htm - 10k

Drusilla (1 Occurrence)
...Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea, induced her to leave her husband,
Azizus, the king of Emesa, and become his wife. She was ...
/d/drusilla.htm - 9k

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)
... A modification of "Tertius;" a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their
case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Acts 24:1-9). The charges he ...
/t/tertullus.htm - 9k

Porcius (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Festus, Porcius. The successor of Felix (AD 60)
as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). A few weeks after ...
/p/porcius.htm - 11k

Festus (14 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Festus, Porcius. The successor of Felix (AD 60)
as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). A few weeks after ...
/f/festus.htm - 15k

Lysias (3 Occurrences)
... The chief captain (chiliarch) who commanded the Roman troops in Jerusalem, and sent
Paul under guard to the procurator Felix at Caesarea (Acts 21:31-38; 22:24 ...
/l/lysias.htm - 12k

Procurator
... But Claudius appointed a freedman, Antonius Felix, brother of the famous minister
of finance, Pallas, as procurator of Judea (Suetonius, Claudius xxviii ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Bonds (46 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,
and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds. ...
/b/bonds.htm - 19k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias,
to the most noble ruler, Felix, peace be with you. (BBE YLT). ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Resources
What happened between Paul's third and fourth missionary journeys? | GotQuestions.org

What is Donatism? | GotQuestions.org

What is Iglesia ni Cristo? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Felix (11 Occurrences)

Acts 23:24
He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 23:26
"Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 23:34
Felix, after reading the letter, inquired from what province he was; and being told "from Cilicia,"
(WEY)

Acts 24:1
And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came with certain of the rulers, and an expert talker, one Tertullus; and they made a statement to Felix against Paul.
(BBE)

Acts 24:2
So Paul was sent for, and Tertullus began to impeach him as follows: "Indebted as we are," he said, "to you, most noble Felix, for the perfect peace which we enjoy, and for reforms which your wisdom has introduced to this nation,
(WEY RSV NIV)

Acts 24:3
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Acts 24:22
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 24:24
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 24:25
As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 24:27
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 25:14
As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Demagogism: Felix

Felix

Felix: Leaves Paul in Bonds

Felix: Paul Tried Before

Felix: Trembles Under Paul's Preaching

Related Terms

Antonius

Drusilla (1 Occurrence)

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)

Porcius (1 Occurrence)

Festus (14 Occurrences)

Lysias (3 Occurrences)

Procurator

Bonds (46 Occurrences)

Noble (61 Occurrences)

Claudius (3 Occurrences)

Arabia (9 Occurrences)

Fully (153 Occurrences)

Governor (78 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Oblige (1 Occurrence)

Jewess (3 Occurrences)

Lys'ias (2 Occurrences)

Latin (2 Occurrences)

Lapse (9 Occurrences)

Gratifying (2 Occurrences)

Wishing (25 Occurrences)

Imprisoned (19 Occurrences)

Favour (171 Occurrences)

Relieved (8 Occurrences)

Elapsed (5 Occurrences)

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Desirous (31 Occurrences)

Completed (109 Occurrences)

Acquire (18 Occurrences)

Succeeded (81 Occurrences)

Successor (10 Occurrences)

Grant (87 Occurrences)

Desiring (108 Occurrences)

Favor (184 Occurrences)

Willing (152 Occurrences)

Wanted (73 Occurrences)

Gain (142 Occurrences)

Case (138 Occurrences)

Room (174 Occurrences)

Rather (176 Occurrences)

Passed (329 Occurrences)

Shew (226 Occurrences)

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Paul (207 Occurrences)

Fulfilled (143 Occurrences)

Bound (175 Occurrences)

Prison (131 Occurrences)

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)

Orator (3 Occurrences)

Ortion

Josephus

Javan (12 Occurrences)

Greetings (48 Occurrences)

Gallio (3 Occurrences)

Wishes (37 Occurrences)

Introduced (7 Occurrences)

Impeach (3 Occurrences)

Informed (39 Occurrences)

Indebted (4 Occurrences)

Flavius

Future (88 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Frightened (38 Occurrences)

Fairly (8 Occurrences)

Faith (769 Occurrences)

Feigning (2 Occurrences)

Inquired (74 Occurrences)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)

That's (8 Occurrences)

Tribune (18 Occurrences)

Trembled (43 Occurrences)

Temperance (3 Occurrences)

Thereon (90 Occurrences)

Talker (3 Occurrences)

Terrified (88 Occurrences)

Feigning
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