18:12,13
Just as the Jews in Jerusalem had sought the help of Rome, in the form of Pilate, to get rid of Jesus, so the Jews here sought the help of the local ruler. Today we see a similar pattern when various secular or LGBT activists seek to use the law to shut Christians up. Gallio was the brother of the philosopher Seneca, and he was in charge in AD 51 (or 52). He was admired as a man of fairness and calmness. Under Roman Law the Jewish religion had some form of protection and was allowed. So the Jews were claiming that Paul was advocating a religion that was contrary to the Emperor cult (Roman emperors were treated as gods) and was not protected. Now what Paul was preaching did deny that Caesar was Lord, but, as he would claim later in Acts, was entirely consistent with Judaism.
18:14,15
Gallio was not taken in by the Jewish accusers. He knew that their charge was a matter of interpretation of the Law, and so told them to sort the matter out themselves. He said this even before Paul had a chance to say anything. Sometimes the authorities will act against the church, at other times they will act in favour of the church. In 2 Timothy Paul urges us to pray for rulers so that the gospel can spread, this is an example of why he urges this. Whether we are helped or hindered (or worse) by the authorities is a matter that it is in God’s hands, not the hands of the rulers.
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