Acts 18:11-15
 
Acts 18:11 (KJB)
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
 
Paul’s ministry continued unabated for 18 months as the vision that the Lord gave him came to pass in a mighty way. No one had attacked Paul nor did anybody do him any harm during that time, just as the Lord told him.
 
Acts 18:12 (KJB)
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
 
Made insurrection - Rose up against
 
In the spring of 52 AD, a new Roman ruler was appointed over the province of Achaia. His name was Gallio and he was the elder brother of the Stoic philosopher Seneca (4 BC - 65 AD). It was known that he was a true gentleman and was known for his graciousness. He only ruled there for one year until the spring of 53 AD. It looked like Paul’s respite from attack was now over as the unbelieving Jews had thought to take advantage of the good nature of Gallio and bring Paul before his judgment seat. Archaeologists have uncovered this Judgment seat, it was built of blue and white marble. Paul did not offer any resistance when they brought him before Gallio.
 
Acts 18:13 (KJB)
Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
 
Persuadeth - Mislead (used only here in NT)
 
The Jews had accused Paul of misleading people in worshipping God contrary to their law. Now for Gallio, this would have meant that Paul was going contrary to Roman law. Judaism was considered a legal religion in the empire of Rome and they tried to convince Gallio that Christianity was not a sect of Judaism and therefore was violating Roman law. Paul never considered Christianity a new religion but a completion and fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. In the New Testament, we find the mysteries of the Old Testament revealed and fulfilled. (Col 1:26-27 KJV) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: {27} To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
 
Acts 18:14 (KJB)
And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
 
Paul was about to mount a defense but Gallio had spoken first and told the Jews that if there was basically a true charge against Paul which was a true violation of Roman law, then he would hear them and judge. There was absolutely no true violation of any law on Paul’s part, in fact, he advocated obeying the laws of the land. If there was any violation of a specific Roman law, then Gallio would have listened. If the Jews gave Gallio a legitimate reason for him to bear with them in this matter, then it would have been a different story.
 
Acts 18:15 (KJB)
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
 
It seemed to Gallio that the accusations made against Paul was nothing but a collection of questions and names from the Jewish law without any specific charges being made. Gallio also told them that it sounded to him like a theological dispute and not a legal one. He then told them that he would not be a judge of the matters of their law and told them to see to it themselves.

Back