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Drusilla

biblical_person theological_term standard

Drusilla was the wife of the Roman governor Felix and heard Paul speak in Acts 24. She is a biblical historical person, not a theological term.

At a Glance

Drusilla was a first-century woman known from Acts 24 as Felix’s wife and as a listener when Paul spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

Key Points

Description

Drusilla appears in Acts 24 as the wife of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. When Paul was brought before Felix, Drusilla was present as Paul reasoned about faith in Christ Jesus and spoke of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. Scripture uses her as part of the historical setting for Paul’s witness, not as a theological concept or doctrine. For that reason, Drusilla is best treated as a biblical person entry rather than a theological term.

Biblical Context

In Acts 24, Paul is imprisoned at Caesarea and given opportunity to speak before Felix and Drusilla. Her presence heightens the narrative contrast between Paul’s message of righteousness and judgment and the moral uncertainty of the governor’s court.

Historical Context

Drusilla belonged to the Herodian ruling world of the first century and was the wife of Felix, who governed Judea under Roman authority. Her appearance in Acts reflects the intersection of the early Christian mission with Roman provincial politics and Herodian family life.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient Jewish and Herodian background helps explain why Drusilla’s presence would have been noteworthy in Caesarea. The New Testament does not develop her as a doctrinal figure, but her setting shows how the gospel confronted influential households in the Jewish-Roman world.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The Greek text of Acts 24:24 gives her name as Δρουσίλλη (Drusillē), a transliteration of the Latin name Drusilla.

Theological Significance

Drusilla’s significance is narrative rather than doctrinal. Her presence in Acts 24 underscores that Paul’s message addressed rulers and private households alike, calling all people to repentance, righteousness, and accountability before God.

Philosophical Explanation

As a historical person in the biblical record, Drusilla illustrates the Bible’s concern to place the gospel in real public history, not in abstraction. Her mention shows that biblical truth is presented as a message for actual persons in concrete social and political settings.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine from Drusilla’s brief appearance. Scripture gives only a limited account of her role, so claims beyond Acts 24 and secure historical background should be held cautiously.

Major Views

There is no major theological debate about Drusilla herself. The main interpretive issue is classification: she belongs under biblical persons, not theological terms.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Drusilla should not be treated as a doctrinal category, symbol, or type. The text supports only her identification as a historical individual in the narrative of Acts.

Practical Significance

Drusilla’s presence in the hearing before Felix reminds readers that the gospel speaks to people in power as well as to ordinary hearers, and that hearing the truth carries moral responsibility.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Drusilla

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