Acts 18:13 – “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is being accused before Gallio, the Roman proconsul of Achaia. The Jewish leaders in Corinth had gathered against Paul and brought him to court, hoping to stop him from preaching the gospel. Their main accusation was that Paul was teaching people to worship God in a way that violated the law.

This charge could have been understood in two ways:

1. A Jewish accusation – The Jewish leaders may have meant that Paul was teaching a version of worship that went against their understanding of Jewish law (the Law of Moses). Paul was preaching that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation was by faith, not by obeying Jewish traditions, which angered many Jews.
2. A Roman accusation – The Jews may have also been trying to get Gallio to see Paul’s teaching as illegal under Roman law. The Roman Empire allowed Jews to practice their religion, but any new, unauthorized religions were often viewed as dangerous. If the Jews could convince Gallio that Paul’s message was not part of Judaism, but rather a new, unlawful religion, they hoped he would punish or expel Paul from Corinth.

This was not the first time Paul faced opposition from Jewish leaders. They had previously stirred up mobs against him in other cities (Acts 13:50, Acts 17:5), and now they were trying to use Roman authority to silence him.

Historical Context

At this time, Gallio was the proconsul of Achaia, which was a Roman province that included Corinth. Proconsuls were governors appointed by Rome to oversee legal and political matters. Gallio was known for being fair-minded, and history records that he did not like getting involved in minor religious disputes.

Jewish leaders had often clashed with early Christians because Christianity challenged many of their traditions. Paul’s teaching emphasized faith in Jesus rather than obedience to the Jewish law, and this angered Jewish authorities who saw it as a threat to their beliefs.

The Romans, on the other hand, were mainly concerned with keeping order. If they saw Christianity as just another branch of Judaism, they wouldn’t interfere. But if they saw it as a new religion that could disrupt society, they might take action against it. The Jews hoped to convince Gallio of the latter.

Theological Implications

1. The gospel challenges religious traditions. – Paul’s message went against the legalism of Jewish leaders, who believed righteousness came through following the Law. The gospel, however, teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. Opposition often comes from religious people. – Many of Paul’s greatest enemies were not pagans, but religious Jews who resisted the gospel. This reminds us that not all religious opposition comes from outside the church—sometimes it comes from within.
3. God protects His messengers. – Even though Paul was put on trial, God had already promised him protection (Acts 18:9-10). No human court could stop what God had planned.
4. The gospel is not about human law, but about God’s grace. – The Jews tried to frame Paul’s message as a legal issue, but faith in Jesus is not about law-keeping—it’s about knowing God personally through His Son.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, often records moments when Jewish leaders accuse Paul of wrongdoing (Acts 16:20-21, Acts 17:6-7). Each time, their arguments fail because Paul is not breaking the law—he is simply preaching the truth.

The phrase “persuading the people” shows that Paul was not just preaching—he was convincing many to follow Jesus. His message was effective, and that’s why his opponents were so desperate to stop him.

The charge “contrary to the law” is intentionally vague. The Jews likely wanted Gallio to interpret it as a crime against Roman law, even though their real issue was Paul’s challenge to their religious traditions. This kind of accusation was a common strategy used against Christians throughout history—misrepresenting the gospel as something dangerous to society.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 17:6-7 – In Thessalonica, Paul’s enemies accused him of “defying Caesar’s decrees”, trying to frame the gospel as a political threat.
• Acts 16:20-21 – In Philippi, Paul was accused of “advocating customs unlawful for Romans to accept or practice.”
• Matthew 26:59-61 – Jesus Himself was falsely accused of breaking Jewish law before His crucifixion.
• Romans 3:28 – Paul later writes, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
• Galatians 2:16 – Paul clearly states that people are not justified by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Following Jesus may bring opposition. – If Paul faced false accusations for preaching the gospel, we shouldn’t be surprised when we face resistance today. The world often rejects the message of grace because it challenges human pride and traditions.
2. Religious legalism still exists. – Some people still try to mix faith with human rules, just as the Jews in Corinth did. But the Bible teaches that our righteousness comes from Christ, not from following religious laws (Philippians 3:9).
3. Trust God in difficult situations. – Paul didn’t panic when he was brought before Gallio. He had already received God’s promise of protection (Acts 18:10). When we face false accusations or opposition, we should remember that God is still in control.
4. Be prepared to explain your faith. – Paul was accused of teaching things that were “contrary to the law”, but he was always ready to defend the truth of the gospel. We should also be prepared to explain our beliefs with wisdom and patience (1 Peter 3:15).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He protected Paul and the early church, even when opposition came. The fact that Gallio dismissed the charges in the next verses shows that God was working behind the scenes to keep the gospel spreading.

God’s love is also seen in offering salvation by grace, rather than by law. The Jewish leaders were clinging to legalistic traditions, but God’s love was calling people to something greater—freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul’s trial before Gallio is similar to Jesus’ trial before Pilate (John 18:28-31). In both cases:

1. Religious leaders made false accusations.
2. They tried to use government authorities to stop the message.
3. The accused (Jesus and Paul) had done nothing wrong.
4. The case was ultimately dismissed.

Paul’s message—that salvation comes through Jesus, not the law—was the same message Jesus preached. The Jewish leaders opposed Jesus for the same reason they opposed Paul: they didn’t want to let go of their religious control.

Paul later wrote in Romans 8:1-2, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” This is the very truth he was defending in Corinth.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever faced opposition for sharing your faith? How did you respond?
2. Why do some religious people resist the message of salvation by grace rather than by rules?
3. How can you stand firm in your faith when others falsely accuse or misunderstand you?
4. In what ways does legalism still exist today? How can we make sure we are following Christ, not just religious traditions?
5. How does knowing that God is in control of human authorities give you confidence in today’s world?

This verse reminds us that opposition to the gospel is nothing new. Paul faced it, Jesus faced it, and believers today still face it. But just as God was with Paul, He is with us, giving us strength to stand firm in the truth. No accusation, no opposition, and no human law can stop the power of the gospel.