Acts 14:22-27

Felix was many things; ignorant was not one of them.  He was well acquainted with the Way.  He knew and understood what Christians believed about Jesus.  Luke does say so, but I think Felix believe Jesus was the son of God.  Belief that Jesus is the Son of God, by itself, does not make anyone righteous.  Even demons know who Jesus is.

Faith in Jesus that leads to repentance is what God credits to us as righteousness.  Paul talked to Felix about righteousness, (living in right relationship). Felix knew that he was not a righteous man.  He was not right in his relationship with his Jewish wife.  History recorded him as being a womanizer and an adulterer.  He was not right with his subjects.  He was harsh and cruel in his treatment of those he ruled.  He was not right with those who came before him looking for justice.  He accepted bribes and gave favors to the wealthy and powerful.  He was not right with his emperor.  He ruled by looking out for his own selfish interest rather than the good of the empire. Most importantly, he was not right with God.

A love for God or others would have cause Felix to desire right relationships.  Paul talked to Felix about the need for self-control.  It is impossible to be righteous without it.  Felix was not interested in self-control or righteousness; he loved only himself.

Having told him about righteousness and self-control, Paul warns him of the coming judgment.  That warning made Felix afraid.  Fear prompted him to repent, but he ignored the fear and sent Paul away.  The more we ignore fear, the weaker it gets. Felix’s greed and selfishness was stronger than his fear.  He spoke with Paul frequently for two years, yet remained unchanged.

Felix knew the truth, and it did not set in free.  Felix was unrighteous in his relationships because there was nothing and no one he loved more than he loved himself.  Fear could not scare the selfishness out of him.