Acts 18:14

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.

13 “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.

But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.

15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”

16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
KJV
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:
WEB
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
ASV
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
DARBY
But as Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality, O Jews, of reason I should have borne with you;
BLB
And Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it was some unrighteousness or wicked crime, O Jews, according to reason I would have endured with you⁺.
ÅB
Da nå Paulus skulle til å åpne munnen, sa Gallio til jødene: Var det noen misgjerning eller slem udåd, dere jøder, da hadde jeg hatt god grunn til å høre tålmodig på dere;
OTB
Akkurat da Paulus skulle til å tale, sa Gallio til jødene: «Hvis dette var et spørsmål om urett eller en alvorlig forbrytelse, å jøder, ville det være rimelig for meg å lytte til dere;
B1930
Da nu Paulus skulde til å oplate munnen, sa Gallio til jødene: Var det nogen misgjerning eller slem udåd, I jøder, da hadde jeg hatt god grunn til å høre tålmodig på eder;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Peter 3:14–15

    But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

    Read in context
  • Romans 13:3

    For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

    Read in context
  • Acts 13:18

    He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.

    Read in context
  • Acts 25:18–20

    But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.

    Read in context
  • Mark 9:19

    “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.”

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 5:2

    He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.

    Read in context
  • Acts 25:11

    If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

    Read in context
  • Luke 21:12–15

    But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.

    Read in context