Discovery BoxActs 24:25 
Context24:25 While Paul 1 was discussing 2 righteousness, self-control, 3 and the coming judgment, Felix 4 became 5 frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, 6 I will send for you.”
Acts 25:16
Context25:16 I answered them 7 that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone 8 before the accused had met his accusers face to face 9 and had been given 10 an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation. 11
1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Or “speaking about.”
3 tn Grk “and self-control.” This καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
sn The topic of self-control was appropriate in view of the personal history of both Felix and Drusilla (see the note on “Drusilla” in the previous verse), and might well account for Felix’s anxiety.
4 sn See the note on Felix in 23:26.
5 tn Grk “becoming.” The participle γενόμενος (genomenos) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
6 tn Or “when I find time.” BDAG 639 s.v. μεταλαμβάνω 2 has “καιρὸν μ. have an opportunity = find time…Ac 24:25.”
7 tn Grk “to whom I answered.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 16.
sn “I answered them.” In the answer that follows, Festus is portrayed in a more positive light, being sensitive to justice and Roman law.
8 tn Grk “any man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos).
9 tn Or “has met his accusers in person.”
10 tn Grk “and receives.”
11 tn Or “indictment” (a legal technical term). BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 states, “legal t.t.…ἀπολογία περὶ τοῦ ἐ. defense against the accusation Ac 25:16.” L&N 56.6 defines ἔγκλημα (enklhma) as “(a technical, legal term) a formal indictment or accusation brought against someone – ‘indictment, accusation, case.’ …‘and might receive an opportunity for a defense against the indictment’ Ac 25:16.”
