“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ‘This man,’ they charged, ‘is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.’
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, ‘If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.’ So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.“
Acts 18:5-6, 12-17
–
MARCH 27, 2025
In every city, Paul went first to the synagogue where he was allowed to speak and present his reasoning for Jesus being the Messiah. The Jews welcomed teachers, and Paul’s education and status were probably well known.
But as they listened, many became more and more upset by what Paul was saying. They concluded that his message was blasphemy, lies and an offense against God. In reply, they spoke out against Christ and accused Him of being a liar and imposter.
In response, Paul rebuked them and left.
Paul’s words and actions were intended to echo the words of the Hebrew prophets:
“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.'”
Ezekiel 33:1-5
Throughout his travels, Paul would continue to give the synagogue communities the first opportunity to accept Christ but would not waste his energy if they refused. He would go to those who would accept his message.
But the Corinthians were not satisfied with Paul leaving the synagogue; they demanded that Gallio, the Roman governor, do something to stop him.
Gallio was a Roman of high status. He was a proconsul for the province of Achaia and son of the philosopher Seneca, a member of the imperial court. Gallio’s brother, Seneca the younger, would describe him as, “a man of great ingenuous and great probity, and a man of wonderful good temper” who was, “universally beloved.”
Gallio would have none of what he considered an internal dispute among the Jews. Paul wasn’t even asked to defend himself against the charges when Gallio dismissed their accusations. Paul would still be persecuted but Gallio’s ruling allowed Paul to freely preach throughout the Roman empire without being charged with breaking Roman law.
Later, Gallio, his father Seneca, his brother Seneca, and Paul would all die at the command of emperor Nero.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Have you ever witnessed to someone who strongly rejected what you had to say?
- How did they react?
- Have you ever heard someone speak out against Christ and call Him a liar? How did you respond?
Church Reading Plan: Exodus 38. John 17