At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. (Acts 24:27)
The commander of security in Rome marshaled his forces to escort Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea, where Felix was governor. But the high priest went to Felix with some of the elders and a lawyer, and they still brought their charges against Paul before the governor. Although they tried to put Paul to death, he easily refuted each charge they brought against him. From the trial and Paul’s defense, Felix knew that Paul was innocent. He neither killed him in accordance with the Jews’ demand nor released him. Knowing Paul was innocent, Felix deliberately delayed his case for two years, first to avoid offending the Jews, finally in the hope that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him, because he wanted Paul to offer him a bribe, and then he would release him. But Paul completely ignored the temptation, unwilling to be released through dishonest bribery.
For this reason, Paul, who had committed no wrong, was imprisoned by Felix for years until he left office. Because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews he left Paul in prison until he was succeeded by Porcius Festus.
Paul didn’t have the money to bribe Felix because he permitted his friends to take care of his needs. Moreover, he was highly respected and loved by brothers and sisters in the churches and they were willing to support his needs. Although Paul had the money to bribe Felix, he was unwilling to get his release through bribery.
First of all, it is clearly stated in the Bible, “Don’t accept a bribe”. (Pre. Ex 34:8). So he would be violating God’s teachings and sinning against God if he bribed Felix. Secondly, the Roman government at that time strictly prohibited bribes, which violated the laws of the government at that time. Finally, the one who was released through bribery indirectly admitted that he was a sinner. Paul was not guilty, so he didn’t want to confess sin or sin against God in any way.
In this depraved generation, bribery is commonplace. And no matter how much the law forbids it, people still use their power to benefit themselves. So in many cases, others will not help you or make things difficult for you if you don’t offer a bribe. Under such circumstances, the vast majority of people have no choice but to do as they like. Then gradually, it creates a vicious circle in which bribery becomes the way that society works.
Christians are the people in the kingdom of heaven. In the process of contacting with the world, they will encounter those who give bribes. Some Christians are offered bribed by others. Especially those who are in some special department; they are likely to meet people who offer them a bribe.
Many Christians continue to refuse bribes because they know it is a sin against God. So whether someone gives them a bribe or asks for a bribe, he will stick to the teaching of the Bible and refuse it, even if there is a price to pay. For they know it is better to go against the wishes of men than against God, and it is better for them to be wounded than to dishonor God.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
使徒行传灵修系列：不可贿赂
腓力斯又指望保罗送他银钱，所以屡次叫他来，和他谈论。过了两年，波求非斯都接了腓力斯的任。腓力斯要讨犹太人的喜欢，就留保罗在监里。（使徒行传24:26-27）
保罗被千夫长用重兵从耶路撒冷护送到凯撒利亚的巡抚腓利斯那里，但是大祭司同几个长老却带着辩士到巡抚腓利斯那，继续控告保罗。虽然他们每一个控告都准备将保罗置于死地，但是都被保罗轻易给反驳了。巡抚腓利斯也在这个控诉中知道保罗是无罪的，所以他既没有按照犹太人的意思杀害保罗，也没有将保罗给释放了。
巡抚腓利斯明知道保罗无罪，却故意将案件拖延了两年之久，起初是为了不得罪犹太人，最后是指望保罗用钱贿赂他。为此他不断的叫保罗来谈话，其目的就是想通过暗示的方式,让保罗主动拿钱贿赂他，然后才将保罗给释放了。但是保罗却全然不予理会，坚持不愿意通过贿赂这种违背真理的方式让自己得释放。正因为如此，无罪的保罗居然被腓利斯关押到他离任，有两年之久。最后更是让腓利斯作为讨好犹太人的筹码，将他给继续关押在监里，留给下一任的巡抚。
保罗当时并不是没有钱可以贿赂腓利斯，因为腓利斯允许保罗的亲友来供给他。更何况保罗也非常受教会弟兄姊妹们的尊敬与爱戴，所以当时的教会也非常愿意去供给他的需要。虽然保罗有那个能力去贿赂腓利斯，但是保罗也不愿意用这种贿赂的手段让自己得释放。
首先圣经明确禁止贿赂（参 出23:8），所以保罗若是贿赂腓利斯就是在违背神的教导，是在得罪神。其次当时罗马政府是严令禁止贿赂，所以贿赂这种方式也是违背当时政府的律法。最后通过贿赂的方式让自己得释放，也是在间接的承认自己是罪人。保罗本身就是无罪的，所以他当然不愿意以任何方式承认罪，而且他更不愿意以任何方式去得罪神。
贿赂在现今这个悖谬的时代已经是屡见不鲜了，无论法律怎样禁止，人们依旧是想尽一切办法利用自己手中的权力来获取利益。所以有些许多时候，没有通过贿赂的方式，对方不仅不帮你办事，反而会故意刁难。在这种情况之下，绝大多数的人迫于无奈，只好就投其所好，渐渐的就产生一种恶性循环，贿赂成了社会的一股风气。
基督徒是天国的百姓，在这个与世人打交道的过程中，同样也会遇到关于贿赂的情形。有些基督徒是被他人主动贿赂，特别是那些在一些特殊部门工作的基督徒，他们很容易就会遇到主动给他贿赂的人。有些基督徒则是会遇到被要求贿赂，若是不贿赂对方，对方就会有意刁难，就如同保罗一般。
遇到这种贿赂的情形时，许多基督徒是坚决拒绝贿赂，因为他很清楚知道这种行为是在得罪神。所以无论是对方给自己贿赂，还是对方要求自己给他贿赂，他都会坚持圣经的教导，拒绝一切的贿赂。就算要为此附上代价，也在所不惜，因为他们知道宁可得罪人，也不可得罪神，宁可自己受损，也不可使神的荣耀亏缺。
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. (Acts 24:27)
The commander of security in Rome marshaled his forces to escort Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea, where Felix was governor. But the high priest went to Felix with some of the elders and a lawyer, and they still brought their charges against Paul before the governor. Although they tried to put Paul to death, he easily refuted each charge they brought against him. From the trial and Paul’s defense, Felix knew that Paul was innocent. He neither killed him in accordance with the Jews’ demand nor released him. Knowing Paul was innocent, Felix deliberately delayed his case for two years, first to avoid offending the Jews, finally in the hope that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him, because he wanted Paul to offer him a bribe, and then he would release him. But Paul completely ignored the temptation, unwilling to be released through dishonest bribery.
For this reason, Paul, who had committed no wrong, was imprisoned by Felix for years until he left office. Because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews he left Paul in prison until he was succeeded by Porcius Festus.
Paul didn’t have the money to bribe Felix because he permitted his friends to take care of his needs. Moreover, he was highly respected and loved by brothers and sisters in the churches and they were willing to support his needs. Although Paul had the money to bribe Felix, he was unwilling to get his release through bribery.
First of all, it is clearly stated in the Bible, “Don’t accept a bribe”. (Pre. Ex 34:8). So he would be violating God’s teachings and sinning against God if he bribed Felix. Secondly, the Roman government at that time strictly prohibited bribes, which violated the laws of the government at that time. Finally, the one who was released through bribery indirectly admitted that he was a sinner. Paul was not guilty, so he didn’t want to confess sin or sin against God in any way.
In this depraved generation, bribery is commonplace. And no matter how much the law forbids it, people still use their power to benefit themselves. So in many cases, others will not help you or make things difficult for you if you don’t offer a bribe. Under such circumstances, the vast majority of people have no choice but to do as they like. Then gradually, it creates a vicious circle in which bribery becomes the way that society works.
Christians are the people in the kingdom of heaven. In the process of contacting with the world, they will encounter those who give bribes. Some Christians are offered bribed by others. Especially those who are in some special department; they are likely to meet people who offer them a bribe.
Many Christians continue to refuse bribes because they know it is a sin against God. So whether someone gives them a bribe or asks for a bribe, he will stick to the teaching of the Bible and refuse it, even if there is a price to pay. For they know it is better to go against the wishes of men than against God, and it is better for them to be wounded than to dishonor God.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Devotional Series from Acts: No Bribery
