Bible Strands
Acts 18:14
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gallio addresses the Jewish accusers at the exact moment Paul prepares to open his mouth. The proconsul interrupts Paul’s defense before it begins.
The words — Μέλλοντος (Mellontos) indicates the state of being about to act, while στόμα (stoma) and ἀνοίγειν (anoigein) literally describe the mouth opening. These terms mark the precise instant Gallio cuts off Paul’s speech.
The thread — This interrupted defense aligns with Luke 21:12, where believers are seized and delivered to synagogues, and mirrors Mark 9:19’s confrontation with an unbelieving generation. It also corresponds to 1 Peter 3:14, which commands believers not to fear when facing opposition.
Why it lands — The text records a civil authority refusing to hear a religious complaint, stating that only wrongdoing or vicious crime would warrant judicial review. It requires the reader to accept that legal systems may dismiss internal doctrinal disputes, leaving the believer to proceed without human vindication.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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:
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- 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.”
- Luke 21:12 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.
- Acts 13:18 He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.
- Acts 21:39 But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”
- Acts 23:27 This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,
- 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!”
- Acts 25:18 But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
- Acts 25:26 I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.
- Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: