Acts 18:12-17

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”  But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.  But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” And he drove them from the tribunal. And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. 

Paul had been promised protection in the passage before this one.  The promise is obviously fulfilled in this passage.  God can protect His followers and confuse His enemies even using an unbelieving judge.  His power is on display in this text and should encourage every person who strives to advance the Gospel in a difficult context.

 

PAUL IS ACCUSED BY THE JEWS: God did not promise that Paul would not be accused.  He promised he would not be attacked to harm him.  The Jews united against Paul and brought an accusation against him that he was promoting the worship of a God that was illegal.  They understood clearly what Paul had been preaching.  God requires the worship of those who follow Him and believe on Him.  However worshiping God can never be illegal since it is commanded by the greatest authority in the universe.  If a state makes a law that contradicts a federal law, the federal law stands.  If some nation makes a law against worshiping God or promoting the worship of God, the command of Scripture takes precedence.  We are called to obey God above men.  Worship is our responsibility before Him.

 

PAUL IS AQUITED BY GALLIO: Just as Paul was about to speak up in his own defense, the judge simply threw the whole thing out of his courtroom.  There was obviously an animosity between the judge and the Jews in the city.  Perhaps they had been troublesome in the past and condemning or self-righteous in his eyes.  He refused to be a judge on religious matters between one another.  In his mind Paul was a Jew and this was simply dispute about their own theology that he did not even care to hear.  This was certainly a different experience for Paul as compared to the previous cities on his journey where he was persecuted, threatened, and eventually run out of town.  God had fulfilled his promise without Paul having to say even one word.

 

SOSTHENES IS ATTACKED BY THE CROWD: It is unclear why Sosthenes, the new leader of the synagogue is attacked after the failed accusation of Paul.  It is also unclear who attacked him.  It might have been the Jews who were upset at the result and wanted to blame him.  It might have been Gentiles who were tired of the Jews stirring up trouble in their city about religious things that didn’t make any sense to them.  I think the main point is that it wasn’t Paul who was attacked.  This must have been a relief to him and a happy change of pace.  It must have also been assuring to him that the promise God made him about not being attacked was really true.  We can always trust the promises of God.  It is interesting that Paul later addresses a Sosthenes as “brother” in Corinth.  It could have been a different person, or it could be that God was using this trial in his life to open his heart to the Lord.

 

APPLICATION:  God knows our needs and how much we are able to handle as we face persecution and struggles.  Since God has allowed whatever circumstance we find ourselves in; He will provide the strength we need to face it.  We can trust God to keep His promises.  Trust that God is at work to bring people to himself in ways we might never understand or notice.