Acts 18:12-18
12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This man is inciting the people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;
15 but if there are questions about teaching and persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”
16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
17 But they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And yet Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.
18 Now Paul, when he had remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and sisters and sailed away to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Paul first had his hair cut at Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow.
Corinthian Evangelism (10)
The result of Gallio’s judgement
Gallio dismissed the Jews’ accusation. What impact did this have? (1) As a result of this trial, the gospel that Paul preached was recognized as part of Judaism. In other words, Christianity was deemed a subset of a recognized religion under Roman law. (2) The proconsul’s ruling influenced the decisions of all governors throughout the Roman Empire. (a) This created what we call a legal precedent. (b) A ruling by a proconsul carried far more weight than decisions made by local magistrates (Philippi) or officials (Thessalonica). (c) Seven years later, Paul would appeal to Caesar. Likely, Paul felt that Roman administrators in Palestine (procurators) were influenced too much by Jewish leaders. In Acts 25:11, Paul says this to the Judean governor Festus. “If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” (3) Gallio’s ruling resulted in approximately 13 years of religious freedom for evangelism. (a) In AD 64, Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. (b) From that point onward, the persecution of Christianity began.
Sosthenes afterward
(1) Crispus, the synagogue leader, was saved through Paul’s ministry. As a result of becoming a believer, he lost his position as synagogue leader. (2) His successor was Sosthenes. (a) Sosthenes was beaten by onlookers in front of the “beima.” He endured significant suffering. (b) What happened to Sosthenes afterward is revealed in 1 Corinthians 1:1: “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.” Sosthenes became a scribe for Paul. He encountered Christ through his trials. Blessed is the one who understands the meaning of suffering from a biblical perspective. Let us meditate on the blessings that suffering can bring.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, You are the One who can turn any suffering into a blessing. I trust in You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.