We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Five days after Paul reached Caesarea his accusers came down from Jerusalem with Tertullus engaged as their counsel and hired orator, and Paul was brought before the assembly for a speedy hearing where Tertullus opened the prosecution with flattery. Tertullus was a wily orator who judged that flattery would have more influence upon the Roman governor Felix than plain statements of truth and justice, and therefore he deliberately began his case with praise.
He addressed Felix by the exalted title most noble and professed to accept his rule always and in all places with thankfulness, crediting him with giving great quietness and performing very worthy deeds for the nation by his providence and foresight. That praise was barefaced falsehood, for Felix's character was base and contemptible, and those who heard knew the words were untrue, but their desire to secure Paul's condemnation was stronger than their love of truth. His baseness showed in practicing every kind of lust and cruelty and in exercising the power of a king with the temper of a slave.
He was a dishonorable ruler who accepted bribes and sacrificed justice to gain popularity. By contrast Porcius Festus, who was appointed in his place, was far more honorable, with a higher sense of the responsibility of his position, refusing bribes and endeavoring to administer justice, and in refusing to sacrifice justice for popularity he resembled Gallio rather than Felix.
Five days after Paul reached Caesarea his accusers came down from Jerusalem with Tertullus engaged as their counsel and hired orator, and Paul was brought before the assembly for a speedy hearing where Tertullus opened the prosecution with flattery. Tertullus was a wily orator who judged that flattery would have more influence upon the Roman governor Felix than plain statements of truth and justice, and therefore he deliberately began his case with praise.
He addressed Felix by the exalted title most noble and professed to accept his rule always and in all places with thankfulness, crediting him with giving great quietness and performing very worthy deeds for the nation by his providence and foresight. That praise was barefaced falsehood, for Felix's character was base and contemptible, and those who heard knew the words were untrue, but their desire to secure Paul's condemnation was stronger than their love of truth. His baseness showed in practicing every kind of lust and cruelty and in exercising the power of a king with the temper of a slave.
He was a dishonorable ruler who accepted bribes and sacrificed justice to gain popularity. By contrast Porcius Festus, who was appointed in his place, was far more honorable, with a higher sense of the responsibility of his position, refusing bribes and endeavoring to administer justice, and in refusing to sacrifice justice for popularity he resembled Gallio rather than Felix.