But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
ACTS 18:15KJVWhat does Acts 18:15 mean?
Acts 18:15 shows Gallio, the Roman governor, refusing to judge a dispute about Jewish religious matters, telling the accusers to handle it themselves because it concerns their own law, words, and names. Gallio draws a line between civil law, which he oversees, and religious debates, which he leaves to the Jewish community.
In this scene, Gallio is speaking to Jewish leaders in Corinth who have brought Paul before him, accusing Paul of teaching things contrary to their law. Gallio’s response makes it clear that he sees no basis for Roman legal action since the issue is about internal Jewish beliefs and terminology, not a crime under Roman law. This moment highlights the Roman government’s general policy of not interfering in religious disagreements unless public order was at stake.
The Greek behind Acts 18:15
- λόγων (logōn, “words”): This word often refers to teachings, doctrines, or arguments. Gallio is dismissing the dispute as a matter of religious interpretation, not a legal offense.
- νόμου (nomou, “law”): Here, “law” points specifically to the Jewish law (Torah), not Roman law. Gallio distinguishes between the laws he enforces and those that belong to the Jewish faith.
- κριτὴς (kritēs, “judge”): Gallio uses this word to make clear he will not act as an arbiter in religious matters, reinforcing the separation between Roman authority and Jewish religious issues.
Why Acts 18:15 matters
- This verse clarifies that Roman officials like Gallio did not see it as their role to settle religious arguments among Jews, which protected early Christian preaching from immediate Roman suppression.
- Gallio’s stance sets a precedent in Acts for how Roman authorities might respond to conflicts between Jewish leaders and followers of Jesus, showing a pattern of non-interference unless civil law was broken.
- Understanding Gallio’s response helps explain why Paul was able to continue his ministry in Corinth without Roman interference at this time, shaping the spread of the early Christian message.