John Chrysostom

See how much close investigation is made by the many in a long course of time, that it should not be said that the trial was hurried over. For, as the orator had made mention of Lysias, that he took him away with violence, Felix, he says, deferred them. "Having knowledge of that way:" that is, he put them off on purpose: not because he wanted to learn, but as wishing to get rid of the Jews. On their account, he did not like to let him go: to punish him was not possible; that would have been too barefaced. …

Homily on Acts 51 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He intentionally postponed the case – not in order to investigate it, but to get rid of the Jews and give relief to Paul, since he did not want to punish him for their sake. "I will examine your case when the tribune Lysias arrives." Felix, instructed from the Old Testament in the things pertaining to Christ, knew well the faith of Paul and did not release him out of people-pleasing, as it says below: "desiring to do the Jews a favor" (v. 27). Or perhaps he also thought to obtain money from Paul. …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

"Felix postponed them, knowing more precisely." It should be noted that Felix knew of the faith, having been thoroughly instructed from the Old Testament concerning Christ, and he did not release Paul out of favor for the Jews, or perhaps because of bribery, as the following account showed. It was also evident that he had a wife who was a Jewess, from whom these matters were continually heard. This woman, contrary to the law, had been joined to him, being a Jewess married to a Greek. …

Commentary on Acts ↗