12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 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: 15 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. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. (Acts 18:12-17 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. How St. Paul, taking heart from the foregoing promise made by God unto him, goes on courageously in the work of his ministry at Corinth; but the unbelieving Jews were so enraged against him, that they combined together as one man, and with one accord made insurrection against Paul.
Where note, What great unity and unanimity there is among wicked men, the devil’s friends; he well knows that his kingdom could not long stand if it were divided. A society’s unity is its strength.
Observe, 2. They accuse the apostle before Gallip the deputy of persuading men to worship God contrary to the law of Moses.
Who would not think but these men were truly pious, virtuous, and good, who were so zealous for the worship of God according to the law? and yet they were wicked men and fiery persecutors. There is a noisy religion in the world? some men think, by crying the Church! the Church! and by pleading loud for the worship of God, as established by law, to atone for all their immoralities.
Praying is good, hearing and receiving the sacrament are good if they are joined with holy walking; but if otherwise, the howling of wolves is as acceptable to Almighty God as the prayers of those men who call Christ Master, and the church mother, but do not the things which they have commanded; yea, the very dogs which follow them to the public assemblies, shall as soon find acceptance as themselves, if they do not obey him whom they pretend to adore. It is no matter what church a wicked man is of, for it is certain he can be saved in none.
Observe, 3. What low and mean thoughts Gallio had, and all persons prejudiced against religion and the power of godliness have, of sincere Christianity: If it be a question of words and names, says Gallio. As if he had said, “Do not trouble me about the niceties of your religion, decide such questions among yourselves; for I will be no judge in such matters.” The great men of the world little care to trouble their heads about the matters of religion; they look upon it only as a matter of notion and speculation; whereas it is not a speculative science, but a practical art of holy living: and accordingly, like Gallio, they care for none of these things.
Observe lastly, That although this Gallio had no kindness for Christianity, God made use of him as an instrument, at this time, to preserve and screen St. Paul from the rage of his enemies, insomuch, that he drove his accusers from the judgment seat.
Thus God performed his promise to Paul, suffering no man to hurt him; but causing Gallio the governor to defend him, who his enemies were in hopes would have destroyed him.
Lord, how happy and wise is it for thy servants to commit the care of themselves to thee in well-doing! If we, with a purity of intention, concern ourselves for thy glory, thou wilt certainly take care of our safety; or if any danger should come, danger itself shall do us no harm.