Acts 18:14
And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
Original Language Analysis
μέλλοντος
was now about
G3195
μέλλοντος
was now about
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
1 of 29
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλου
when Paul
G3972
Παύλου
when Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 29
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἀνοίγειν
to open
G455
ἀνοίγειν
to open
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
5 of 29
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόμα
his mouth
G4750
στόμα
his mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
7 of 29
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 29
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
ῥᾳδιούργημα
lewdness
G4467
ῥᾳδιούργημα
lewdness
Strong's:
G4467
Word #:
21 of 29
easy-going behavior, i.e., (by extension) a crime
πονηρόν
wicked
G4190
πονηρόν
wicked
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
22 of 29
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
ὦ
O
G5599
ὦ
O
Strong's:
G5599
Word #:
23 of 29
as a sign of the vocative case, o; as a note of exclamation, oh
κατὰ
reason
G2596
κατὰ
reason
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
25 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
λόγον
G3056
λόγον
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
26 of 29
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Historical Context
Gallio's ruling that Christianity was an internal Jewish dispute effectively protected it from prosecution throughout his jurisdiction. This precedent influenced subsequent Roman policy.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Gallio's ruling benefit the spread of Christianity?
- What does this teach about God's use of secular authorities for His purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
Gallio's refusal - 'If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, I would reason with you' - distinguished criminal from religious matters. His judicial restraint protected Paul while establishing precedent for Roman treatment of Christianity.