Wanting to Do the Jews a Favor

In this passage, we see another Roman that seemed to consider Paul to be innocent, but he still kept him under arrest to please the Jews. During the two years that Felix kept him under arrest, we see Paul continued to witness to Felix and Drusilla, his wife, who he had convinced to leave her previous husband and marry him. As Paul witnessed about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was filled with fear, but instead of repenting, sent Paul away. He then continued to converse with Paul, but only in an unsuccessful attempt to get a bribe. When Felix is replaced by Porcius Festus, He left Paul bound even though he thought he was innocent. The Jews were still filled with envy and hatred toward Paul, so the high priest and the elders decided on another assassination plot, but Festus didn't agree with their plan to try Paul in Jerusalem. The Romans leaders have this ongoing problem, they seem to understand that Paul is innocent, so they are unwilling to punish him, but they want to please the Jews so they are unwilling to let him go. Instead of doing either, they just leave Paul to wait. Paul is going to end up being under arrest for many years, even as church history records him being released at the end. Justice delayed is not true justice, but these Romans would rather appease the Jews than to follow their own laws.