In brief
Gallio is the Roman proconsul of Achaia during Paul's stay in Corinth. The Jews rise up against Paul and bring him before his court, accusing him of persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Before Paul can even defend himself, Gallio refuses to judge a matter he regards as a question of words, names and Jewish law. He sends the accusers away, and Paul can continue his ministry.
What does the name Gallio mean?
Gallio is the English form of the Latin name Gallio, borne by a Roman magistrate. The Bible gives no explanation of this name and mentions it only in Acts 18:12-17.
The story of Gallio
Paul in Corinth
Acts 18:1-11Paul arrives in Corinth, works as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, and reasons every Sabbath in the synagogue. Faced with opposition, he turns to the Gentiles. The Lord tells him in a vision not to be afraid, because no one will lay a hand on him to harm him. Paul stays a year and six months.
Before the court
Acts 18:12-13While Gallio is proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rise up together against Paul and bring him before the court. They accuse him, saying that this man is persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. The matter could become a trial before the Roman authority.
I do not wish to be a judge
Acts 18:14-16Paul is about to speak, but Gallio speaks first. If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, he would listen to the Jews. But since it involves questions about words and names and their own law, they must see to it themselves: he does not wish to be a judge of such things. He drives them from the court.
The proconsul's indifference
Acts 18:17-18Then they all seize Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court, and Gallio pays no attention. Paul, for his part, is not harmed: he stays on in Corinth for some time before sailing for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. The promise received in the vision has been fulfilled.
What Gallio teaches us
- God keeps his promises of protection, sometimes through authorities who do not know him.
- The Lord can use an administrative decision to open the way for the gospel.
- Religious indifference, like Gallio's, is not faith: it can protect without saving.
- Believers can remain calm before human courts, because their lives are in God's hand.
Key verses
Before the appearance before Gallio, the Lord promises Paul that no one will lay a hand on him to harm him. The proconsul's decision confirms this word given in the night.
Gallio refuses to judge a question he considers religious. Without knowing it, he allows the gospel to be proclaimed freely in Corinth, and Rome's decision becomes an instrument of divine providence.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gallio in the Bible?
Gallio was the Roman proconsul of Achaia when Paul was staying in Corinth (Acts 18:12). The Jews of the city brought Paul to him, accusing him of persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Gallio refused to judge this matter, which he regarded as a Jewish religious question, and sent the accusers away.
What does history confirm about Gallio?
An inscription found at Delphi mentions Gallio as proconsul of Achaia, which generally allows his proconsulship to be placed around the years 51 and 52 and Paul's stay in Corinth to be dated approximately. The Bible simply presents him as the magistrate before whom Paul was accused.
Where is the story of Gallio found in the Bible?
Gallio appears only in Acts 18:12-17, during Paul's stay in Corinth. The whole chapter helps in understanding the scene: Paul's arrival in the city, his work with Aquila and Priscilla, the Lord's vision, and then the appearance before the court.