Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. Once again, Luke the inspired historian gives credibility to the text that it is a reliable historical document. Archaeologists have uncovered an inscription at Delphi with Gallio’s name and position as proconsul of Achaia in it.

2. Gallio was the older brother of the Stoic philosopher Seneca. Seneca tutored Nero but was later forced by Nero to commit suicide. Seneca wrote about Gallio as having health problems, being an intelligent man who hated flattery, and being blessed with an “unaffected pleasant personality” (BAK).

3. Luke historical accuracy gives the modern reader clues as to the timeframe of Paul’s missionary visit to Corinth in A.D. 50-51. Gallio served his one-year term from July 51 to June 52.

4. Unable to tolerate the growing number of converts, the Jews altogether “rose up against” (katephistēmi - stand against, attacked) Paul.

5. Wanting him to be punished, they led him to the the proconsul’s judgment seat. The term “judgment seat” is the Greek word bēma, which refers to an elevated judicial platform. It was employed for government rulings (Ac 25:6), prestigious orations (Ac 12:21), and officiation at Olympic Games (cf. 1Co 9:24). Paul used the word for the judgment seat of Christ where the believer’s works, not salvation, will be judged (2Co 5:10).

B. Claim of the Jews (Ac 18:13)

1. The Jews raised the accusation against Paul that he “persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” By “contrary to law,” they would have referred to Roman law whereby they were accusing Paul of being an instigator and a security risk. The word “persuade” was the word anapeithei, which includes the idea of stirring up (A.T. Robertson). Of course, that was not the case and they had no evidence for it.

2. Interestingly enough, Jewish freedom of religion was protected by Roman law as long as they did not become riotous. Because the Jews were jealous of Paul’s converts, they were attempting to put a ban on the religious freedom of Christians.

C. Conclusion of Gallio (Ac 18:14-16)

1. [14] Before Paul could begin to defend himself, Gallio had figured out what the Jews were attempting to do. He concluded that there was no violation of Roman law against Paul because he had not committed any “wrong” (adikēma - an act of injustice, i.e. misdemeanor) or “vicious crime” (hradiourgēma - villainous criminal act).

2. If there would have been any evidence of a violation against the law, then Gallio would have reasonably “put up with” (anexō - endure and/or listen, 2Ti 4:3; He 13:22; i.e. “justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews,” (NET)) what the Jews had to say.

3. [15] Gallio understood the accusations of the Jews for what they were. The Jews did not bring a Roman legal issue; rather they brought a Jewish doctrinal issue.

4. Furthermore, Gallio understood that the Jews did not accuse polytheistic pagans. They accused Paul who also believed in one God, the Jewish Scriptures, and a coming Messiah. To Gallio, this was a dispute about “words and names and [the] law” and such things within sects of Judaism.

5. Taking this into consideration, Gallio was unwilling to judge their case. Instead, the Jews were to work it out themselves.

6. [16] Evidently, the Jews were not in agreement with Gallio’s decision and stayed before the judgment seat while arguing. For they had to be “driven” (apelaunō - cause to move away by force) away from the tribunal.

D. Consequences of the Aftermath (Ac 18:17)

1. As Gallio cleared the Jews away from the court by force, a melee erupted. Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue became the victim of a mob-beating.

2. The question is who were the “they” behind the beating of Sosthenes. The antecedent is not necessarily clear.

3. Some have suggested that they were Gallio’s security guards called “lictors.” However, there are usually only a few of them present.

4. Others suggest that they were the Jews who beat Sosthenes for presenting a weak case before Gallio, which resulted in Paul’s acquittal. But would the Jews beat the leader of the synagogue who replaced Crispus?

5. Others agree with the Western manuscripts that included the words “all the Greeks” to suggest that anti-Semitism got the better of these Gentiles. The best manuscripts do not contain the addition.

6. However, it is quite possible that Luke was clear in saying that “they all,” meaning all groups, joined the melee against Sosthenes.

7. Luke reported that Gallio remained “unconcerned” toward the aftermath outside his court. Some have suggested that Gallio acted immune to the volatile reaction in order to teach the Jews and others a lesson for taking up his court with trivial matters.

8. However, it appears clear that God had indeed kept his promise to Paul that no man would attack and harm him (Ac 18:10a).

9. It was revealed later in the NT that one of the people that God had called to salvation in Corinth was Sosthenes (Ac 18:10b cf. 1Co 1:1)

II. OATH OF PAUL (Ac 18:18)

A. Paul Remained Longer

1. Gallio’s decision was a temporary watershed non-ruling. First, had Gallio ruled in favor of the Jews, a precedence would have been set making Christianity illegal.

2. Secondly, if Gallio had ruled in favor of the Jews, Paul would not have been able to remain in Corinth, evangelizing and building up the church.

3. How many days is uncertain, but Paul stayed a total of 18 months in Corinth (Ac 18:11). The church in Corinth was not only established, but grew to be a prominent church (2Co 1:1, 11:10).

B. Paul Took Priscilla and Aquila

1. At the end of 18 months, Paul bid farewell at Corinth to the brethren and sailed to Syria.

2. By this time, Aquila and Priscilla had become a major part of Paul’s ministry, sailing to Syria with Paul. Here Luke writes Priscilla’s name first.

C. Paul Kept his Vow

1. Before sailing to Syria, Paul stopped in Cenchrea, one of Corinth’s seaports. In the epistle to the Romans, Paul mentions a church in Cenchrea in which the deaconess Phoebe served (Ro 16:1).

2. It was there that Paul had his hair cut as part of “keeping” (imperfect of echo - showing ongoing action) a Nazirite vow.

3. Luke does not tell us why Paul had made a vow to God, but the context suggests it was because of gratitude for God’s protection and blessings at Corinth (cf. Ac 18:9-10).

4. A Nazirite vow is a special vow of dedication and thanks to God (Nu 6:1-2). During which time, there must be abstinence from the fruit of the vine and the dead (Nu 6:3-4, 6) along with refraining from cutting the hair (Nu 6:5). At the end of the vow an offering must be made (Nu 6:13-17) which included shaving the head and offering one’s locks of hair at the temple (Nu 6:18). Tradition had made the provision for those away from Jerusalem to shave the head and save the locks of hair to be offered within thirty days at the temple. When Paul left Cenchrea, he had thirty days to make it to Jerusalem (cf. Ac 18:20, 22).

5. The question remains as to why Paul would make a vow under the Law when believers no longer live under the Law. Paul by no means thought he could be righteous by keeping the Law (Php 3:9), but still a Jew with a Jewish heritage, this was how Paul showed his gratitude to God. Also, the Jews would see that he did not forsake his Jewish heritage (1Co 9:20-23 cf. Ac 21:23-26).

III. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. God’s Protected Men

1. God gave Paul the promise that He would keep him from harm, but said nothing about keeping him from trouble. Later in Paul’s life, God gave no promise of keeping him from being beheaded by Nero. Paul always had God’s promise to be kept safe unless it was a part of God’s sovereign plan. This is why Paul could say, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2Ti 4:17-18 cf. Php 1:19-20).

2. Nothing happens to believers that does not accomplish God’s sovereign will. Therefore, the believer ought to have complete confidence that God will keep him out of trouble and keep him safe, unless it is a part of God’s sovereign plan. The Lord promised believers that, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20b). In this sense, we are protected.

B. God’s Persevering Men

1. Paul, knowing that he had the Lord’s protection, persevered for the gospel in a most unlikely city, Corinth. The Jews were hostile toward the gospel and the Gentiles were extremely pagan and immoral. Yet Paul persevered in ministry there and many were saved including Sosthenes.

2. The spiritual leaders of the home must persevere. Your home is your ministry, your church is your ministry, your employment is your ministry, and your neighborhood is your ministry. Sometimes anyone of those can become extremely difficult and most unlikely. However, a spiritual leader must persevere and persevere in ministry. The words “I give up” are not in the spiritual leaders’ vocabulary. Nor are the words “this will never work,” in the spiritual leader’s dictionary. No matter how hard or how unlikely the situation is, you never know if a Sosthenes is right around the corner. Therefore, spiritual leaders persevere.

C. God’s Purposeful Men

1. Paul made a Nazirite vow because he wanted to dedicate himself to God and thank Him for protection and blessings.

2. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 tells us not to make vows that we cannot keep. But spiritual leaders ought to make resolutions and ought to purpose in their hearts to grow in the Lord in specific ways and in specific areas. For it is the Holy Spirit who works within the believer’s resolute heart.

3. Jonathon Edwards, who was responsible the Great Awakening, wrote some 70 lifetime personal resolutions for himself. Here are just a few that we would do well to incorporate into our lives.

a) 19.Resolved to study the scripture so diligently, constantly and frequently - as that I may find growth for me and others to observe.

b) 20.Resolved to strive every week to have grown in Grace and closer to God.

c) 24. Resolved to inquire every night as I am going to bed, where have I been negligent; what sin have I committed and where have I denied myself.

d) 26.Resolved to frequently review my dedication to God to keep my love and heart solely His and to keep the love burning bright - to repent of a luke warm heart.

e) 28.Resolved that nothing but God, Gods word and Gods will shall influence how I live to shun anything that is not of Christlike character.

f) 37.Resolved to act loving, respectfully, Godly towards all and when I am feeling ungodly to quickly repent.

g) 30.Resolved to live in utmost respect and honor to all family members especially my own mother and father.

h) 39.Resolved to pray and groan and intercede with all my heart.

i) 1 Resolved that I will do all I think or say to the glory of God and not to take into consideration my own comfort, profit or pleasure.

4. As believers, we are secure in Christ. But we must be protected men, persevering men, and purposeful men resolved to glorify the Lord in all we do because we all will give account for our service to the Lord before the judgment seat of Christ.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516