“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.”
The English major in me sees Felix as a type, a stand-in for the corruption of power. He shows two characteristics: he’s greedy and he’s afraid. The greed is easy to see and understand. Like many in government, Felix sees his position as a means to make a little extra cash. He wants a bribe.
The fear, though, isn’t quite as obvious. Felix didn’t fear until Paul talked about three things: righteousness, self-control and judgment. Those things are linked. Righteousness is not achieved without self-control, and judgment falls where there is no righteousness.
It seems Felix knows his own lack of self-control and righteousness, otherwise why would the topic make him afraid? Yet, rather than acknowledge it and change, he runs from the topic and continues his self-serving ways, grubbing for that little bit of extra cash.
It’s sad, but not new. People these days react to power the same way. We lose self-control when we see what our power can bring us. Even a little bit of power is a dangerous thing. Why, then, do we all crave it?
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