Imprisoned for two years by Felix, the journeys of Paul paused. Additionally, no letter exists from this period and no miracles are recorded. Paul’s only ministry was to his visitors and to Felix.
But Paul had written his magnum opus, the Epistle to the Romans, while in Corinth, during the Third Missionary Journey (See Pauline Epistles). He concludes Romans with his plans to visit Rome (and Spain) after his trip to Jerusalem (Romans 15:22-29).
While a pause does not fit with the modern first-world lifestyle, it fit God’s plan:
1 Corinthians 3:5-7
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
So, like a farmer, Paul’s efforts paused while the seed in Rome germinated.
But something else was also germinating.
Impatient after two years, prominent Jews of Caesarea went to Emperor Nero in Rome to complain about Felix (See Josephus “The Antiquities of the Jews” Book XX Chapter 8 Section 9). It was a complaint for which Felix was almost punished but instead was simply replaced. The content of the complaint was not recorded, but it can be presumed that it concerned Paul and could be the reason Paul was left in prison.
Acts 24:27
When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
For those that want to follow the drama of Herod the Great’s Family Tree, should take note that Felix was married to Drusilla, the great-grand-daughter of Herod the Great.
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