In our next verse of thanks we see flattery at it's height of perversion. This verse has been throwing me off due to the nature of the thanks. That being - it's not true, genuine or even deserved. Also, the thanks is not directed at God but at a corrupt governor/judge by a professional flatterer (lawyer).
Tertullus, the lawyer, was addressing, Felix, a Roman governor acting as judge - in this case against Paul for being a troublemaker, ringleader of the Nazarene sect (Christianity), and attempting to desecrate the temple.
To give you a taste of this sugar coated address, here is the opening by the lawyer named Tertullus (Acts 24:2-4). Our verse of thanks is sandwiched in the middle - v.3.
"After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, 'Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. (Acts 24:3) But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.'"
What I've been learning from studying this thanks verse has been interesting and convicting. Commentators and preachers have helped me flesh out what I think to be God's message for us here. I'm going to share a few thoughts from these helpful writings.
A. Maclaren, D. D. says in his sermon titled "Be Thankful and Do Not Rest," "These words were addressed by a professional flatterer to one of the worst of Roman governors. Both speaker and listener knew that he was lying; but both knew that the words described what a governor ought to be."
R. Tuck, in his sermon, "Most Noble Felix; Or, the Power of the Flatterer" says "Felix was not noble at all. Tacitus says of him that 'in the practice of all kinds of lust, crime, and cruelty, he exercised the power of a king with the temper of a slave.' Tertullus had an end to gain, and adopted flattery as a means. He was a hired pleader, and selected for the sake of his glib eloquence. He could talk well. Men of his class were found in most of the provincial towns of the Roman empire. They were necessary because the local lawyers would not be sufficiently familiar with the proceedings at the Roman courts, or with the minute details of Roman law. Tertullus had 'learned the trick of his class, and began with propitiating the judge by flattery.'"
Other helpful thoughts from Tuck are: What are the limits of praise? How far may we go in conciliating others by words of approval and congratulation? At once it may be answered that no praise may go beyond the truth or be out of harmony with the truth. Yet others praise with some object which does not appear; they have an end to gain, and the praise is regarded simply as a means towards obtaining the end. These are the flatterers, and their characteristic is insincerity. There is in us all, even in the best of men, a self-love that makes praise pleasant. If the flattery is kept well in hand and skillfully disguised, even noble natures, even humble natures, may be swayed by it. If the flattery is too open and intense, good men are put on their guard and resent the insult.
So, is flattery harmful? I believe the Lord had shown me that, yes, it is. God only speaks the truth in His Word. He expects the same of us. Do we want to be known as insincere liars just to get people to be on our side and to think like we think and do what we want them to do? Or would we rather be know as speaking the truth and being sincere. Encouraging others in the truth and sincerity is a good and loving act... buttering them up with flattery is insulting and shows a lack of character. Giving thanks is a good thing, a necessary act to rise above the unpleasantness of this life, but it must be done in truth with an honest heart.
"Speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another" Ephesians 4:25
One last thought by A. Maclaren, D. D. "And remember, the way to mend a kingdom is to begin by mending yourselves and letting Christ's kingdom come into your own hearts."
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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