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I. THE NATURE OF THIS TREMBLING. We must distinguish between a sanctifying fear (Proverbs 16:6) which is a grace, an habitual disposition of the soul (Isaiah 66:2; Ezra 10:3), and the fear which only troubles us for the present.

1. Holy fear is a voluntary work excited by faith believing God's threatening, and by love which is troubled at the offences done to God. A fear like that of Felix is an involuntary impression arising from the spirit of bondage and irresistible conviction, which for a while puts its subjects into the stocks of conscience, but they seek to enlarge themselves as soon as they can.

2. They differ in their grounds. To be troubled for the offence done to God is a good sign, but to be troubled merely for the punishment due is the guise of hypocrites (Hebrews 12:17; Mark 10:22).

3. They differ in their effects. Sometimes —

(1)  An anxiety about the way of salvation, and then it is good (Acts 2:37).

(2)  Rage (Acts 7:54).

(3)  Dilatory excuses, as here.

II. ITS CAUSE — the Word.

1. The matter.

(1) Generally — the Word of God has a convincing power.

(a)  Partly because of its Author, whose impress is on it (Hebrews 4:12).

(b)  Partly because of its clearness to a natural conscience if it be not blinded (2 Corinthians 4:2-41).

(c)  Chiefly because of the concomitant blessing (John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 4:6).

(2) Particularly — the Day of Judgment. This was the apostle's great argument (Acts 10:42, 43; Acts 17:30, 31; 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11), because

(a)  This made their access to the heart more easy because of its suitableness to natural light (Romans 1:32).

(b)  This most befriends the great discovery of the gospel, justification and pardon through Christ, by submitting to His instruction. If He be our Judge we should take the law from His mouth.

(c)  This best solves doubts about present providence (Ecclesiastes 8:4).

2. The manner. The Word must be applied —

(1) Closely. Paul discoursed of virtues opposite to the vices with which Felix was blemished (Acts 2:36, 37). In the doctrine delivered we only bend the bow; in application we shoot at the mark.

(2) Prudently. No charge is here made. Paul only presents the looking glass in which they can see themselves,

III. ITS EFFECTS. It may come to nothing through —

1. Levity (Hosea 6:4, cf. Proverbs 4:18).

2. Addictedness to lusts which is greater than affection to religion (Luke 8:14).

3. Unskilfulness in handling wounds of conscience.

(1)  Some think they are never wounded enough; but it is not the depth of the wound, but the soundness of the cure that is to be regarded.

(2)  Some heal their wounds slightly, skin them over while they fester within.

(3)  Others dissemble till they prove deadly.

(4)  Others run to a worldly cure, or by the din of business put off what they do not put away (Amos 6:3).

4. Want of God's grace, which is forfeited by those who have common helps.

(1)  Some put away the Word (Acts 13:46).

(2)  Some put away troubles of conscience (Genesis 6:3).

(3)  Some lose all relish for good things and relapse into a carnal savour (Hebrews 6:3-4).

IV. USES.

1. Information. We learn —

(1) The power of the Word. Consider Felix —

(a)  An unbeliever.

(b)  A judge who humbled under his prisoner. Outward disadvantages should not discourage us.

(c)  A depraved man. We should despair of none.

(d)  A man glutted with worldly happiness. The thoughts of the next world will sour all the sweets of this.

(2) The profitableness of insisting on the Last Judgment as a means of persuasion. It is —

(a)  Impartial (Revelation 20:12).

(b)  Strict and just (Acts 17:31).

(c)  Final.

(d)  Every minute brings it nearer (James 5:9),

(3) The soreness of a bad conscience.

(4)  The necessity of strict obedience.

(5)  The sottishness of those who are not moved so far as Felix was.

2. Caution.

(1) Do not lose the advantage of this common work.

(a) It may be lost partly by delays and dreams of a more convenient season (Luke 14:18), and partly by relapses into our old crimes, as here.

(b) Reasons. It is very dangerous — iron often heated and quenched is the more hard (Proverbs 29:1). You lose the season wherein God will be found (Hebrews 3:7; 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2).

(2) Do not rest in a common work that you hear the Word and are affected; Herod rejoiced, Felix trembled.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

WEB: 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."