Acts 18:15 – “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.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Gallio, the Roman proconsul of Achaia, dismisses the case against Paul. The Jewish leaders in Corinth had accused Paul of teaching people to worship God in ways contrary to the law (Acts 18:13), hoping that Roman authorities would punish him. But Gallio sees through their argument and refuses to get involved.

Gallio recognizes that their dispute is not about any real crime, but about theological differences between Jews and Christians. He describes it as “questions about words and names and your own law”, meaning that he sees it as an internal religious debate, not a legal issue that concerns the Roman government.

By saying, “Settle the matter yourselves,” Gallio makes it clear that he will not use Roman law to resolve religious disagreements. His ruling meant that, at least for now, Christianity would not be seen as an illegal movement in the Roman Empire. This allowed Paul and other believers to continue preaching without government interference—at least in this region and for a time.

Historical Context

Gallio was a Roman governor (proconsul) of Achaia, a province that included Corinth. Roman officials were mainly concerned with keeping peace and enforcing civil law, but they had little patience for religious debates.

Judaism was a legally recognized religion under Roman law, which gave Jews certain protections. The Jewish leaders in Corinth were trying to convince Gallio that Paul was preaching a different, illegal religion, separate from Judaism. But Gallio did not see Christianity as distinct from Judaism—instead, he viewed it as an internal debate between different Jewish groups.

This ruling was important because it meant that, for now, Roman authorities would not see Christianity as a threat, allowing the gospel to continue spreading without legal interference. However, later on, as Christianity grew and became more distinct from Judaism, Roman persecution would increase.

Theological Implications

1. God uses even secular authorities to accomplish His plans. – Gallio was not a believer, yet his ruling helped protect Paul and the early church. This reminds us that God is in control, even over governments and leaders (Proverbs 21:1).
2. Not all opposition requires a fight. – Paul was about to defend himself (Acts 18:14), but God handled the situation without him needing to argue. Sometimes, the best response to false accusations is to let God deal with them.
3. Religious arguments don’t always need government involvement. – Gallio saw that this was a religious dispute, not a legal issue. While governments do have a role in justice, faith and doctrine should be determined by God’s Word, not by political authorities.
4. The gospel does not need political approval to thrive. – Even though Gallio dismissed the case, Paul didn’t need government protection to continue preaching—God was already protecting him (Acts 18:9-10). The church grows by God’s power, not human favor.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, often highlights how Roman officials reacted to Christianity. Throughout Acts, many government leaders found no basis to punish Paul:

• Acts 16:35-39 – Roman officials in Philippi realized they had wrongly beaten Paul and Silas.
• Acts 23:29 – A Roman commander found no reason to charge Paul.
• Acts 25:25 – Governor Festus admitted that Paul had done nothing deserving death.

The phrase “words and names and your own law” shows Gallio’s disinterest in Jewish religious disputes. To him, Christianity was just another branch of Judaism, so he saw no reason to get involved.

By saying “Settle the matter yourselves,” Gallio is dismissing the case and refusing to set a legal precedent against Christianity. This highlights the growing divide between the Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus and those who followed Him.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 18:9-10 – God had already promised Paul that he would not be harmed in Corinth.
• Proverbs 21:1 – “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Gallio’s decision was ultimately part of God’s plan.
• Matthew 10:18-20 – Jesus told His disciples that when they were brought before governors, they should trust God to give them wisdom.
• Romans 13:1-4 – Paul later wrote that government authorities are established by God to maintain order, but they are not the final authority on faith.
• John 18:36 – Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” reminding us that Christianity does not rely on political power.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God is in control of governments, even when they are not godly. – Gallio was not a Christian, yet his ruling protected the church. Today, we can trust that God is still in control of world leaders and governments.
2. Sometimes, silence is the best response to false accusations. – Paul didn’t even need to defend himself because God took care of the situation. We should pray for wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to let God fight for us.
3. Religious freedom is a blessing, but it’s not necessary for the gospel to thrive. – Christianity spread rapidly, even when it wasn’t protected by law. Today, we should be thankful for religious freedom but also remember that God’s kingdom grows no matter the circumstances.
4. Faith should not depend on government approval. – Just as Gallio refused to rule on religious matters, faith should not be dictated by political leaders. The Bible, not the government, is our authority in matters of faith.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in His protection of Paul and the early church. Even though the Jewish leaders tried to stop Paul, God made sure that the gospel continued to spread.

This also shows God’s patience. Even though many Jews rejected Jesus, He still gave them opportunities to hear the truth. Instead of allowing immediate judgment on those who opposed Paul, God gave them more time to repent and believe.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus also faced religious accusations. – Just as the Jewish leaders accused Paul, they falsely accused Jesus before Pilate (John 18:28-31). But just like Gallio, Pilate found no reason to punish Him—yet Jesus was still crucified to fulfill God’s plan.
2. The gospel spreads despite opposition. – Paul’s situation in Corinth reflects the larger truth that nothing can stop the gospel. Jesus told His disciples that even the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).
3. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. – Gallio didn’t care about the religious arguments because, in a way, he understood that earthly governments don’t decide matters of faith. Jesus Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever faced opposition for your faith? How did you respond?
2. How does this verse encourage you to trust that God is in control, even over governments and legal matters?
3. Why is it important to remember that our faith does not depend on political approval?
4. How can we learn from Paul’s example and trust God to fight some battles for us?
5. How does this passage challenge us to focus on sharing the gospel, rather than getting caught up in legal or political arguments?

This verse is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even through unbelieving rulers. Gallio’s decision allowed Paul to continue preaching the gospel freely, showing that God’s plan will always move forward, no matter what opposition comes against it. We can trust that God is in control of history, governments, and every challenge we face as believers.