But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Gallio dismisses the dispute as being about trivial "questions of words and names," implying that from his Roman perspective, these arguments are insignificant details of Jewish law, not matters for his jurisdiction. He’s essentially saying, "This is your internal religious squabble, not a crime against Roman order."
But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Apostle Paul is brought before the proconsul Gallio in Corinth, accused by Jewish leaders of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law. Gallio, however, dismisses the case, seeing it as a dispute over Jewish religious law and customs rather than a Roman offense, and refuses to be involved in judging such matters. He tells the accusers to settle their internal religious disagreements themselves.
The Jews brought Paul before the Roman proconsul Gallio with serious accusations. But Gallio heard something entirely different. What details did he focus on, and why?
When the Jewish leaders dragged Paul before the proconsul Gallio, they accused him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. This sounds like a serious charge, one that would demand a magistrate's attention.
However, Gallio heard it differently. He dismissed their case by categorizing it as "questions about words and names, and your own law." This wasn't about a disturbance of the peace or a violation of Roman law; it was internal religious squabbling.
Gallio saw the core issue as a dispute over terminology and interpretations within Judaism itself. He wasn't interested in becoming the arbiter of Jewish theological debates, especially those concerning the identity and titles of Jesus. To him, these were petty arguments, not matters for Roman justice.
Gallio refused to judge the case, declaring, "I will be no judge of these things." What was the principle behind his refusal, and what does it reveal about Roman policy?
Gallio's decisive refusal wasn't just a personal preference; it reflected a Roman policy of religious tolerance, albeit with specific boundaries.
He recognized that the dispute was internal to Judaism and concerned their specific laws and beliefs. The Roman Empire generally allowed conquered peoples to practice their own religions, as long as they didn't disrupt public order or challenge Roman authority.
Gallio understood that judging matters of Jewish law and belief was outside his jurisdiction and competence. He essentially told the accusers to handle their internal religious affairs themselves. This stance protected religious freedom for groups like the Jews, but it also served Roman interests by preventing Roman courts from getting bogged down in foreign religious disputes.
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Gallio's pragmatic dismissal of the charges highlights the Roman policy of religious tolerance for established religions like Judaism, but also his refusal to interfere in internal Jewish affairs or to acknowledge Christianity as distinct from it at that stage.
c. AD 49
Claudius expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius ordered the expulsion of Jews from Rome due to disturbances related to 'Chrestus'. This likely impacted Jewish communities across the Roman Empire, potentially contributing to tensions mentioned in Acts.
c. AD 50
Paul arrives in Corinth
The Apostle Paul arrived in Corinth, a major Roman colony and the capital of the province of Achaia. He stayed and ministered there for an extended period, establishing a significant Christian community.
c. AD 51-52— this verse
Jewish leaders accuse Paul in Corinth
Jewish leaders, led by Sosthenes, brought charges against Paul before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia. They accused him of teaching people to worship God contrary to the law.
c. AD 52
Gallio dismisses the charges against Paul
Gallio, showing a clear distinction between Roman law and Jewish religious disputes, refused to judge the matter. He declared that if it was about their religious laws and customs, they should settle it themselves, thus freeing Paul.
c. AD 55
Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus
Following his departure from Corinth, Paul wrote his first letter to the church there. This letter addresses many of the issues, divisions, and theological questions that had arisen within the Corinthian community.
Jesus, facing His own trial, offers a similar perspective to Pilate, implying that matters of His 'kingdom' and Jewish 'law' are not within the purview of Roman authority, echoing Gallio's detachment from Jewish internal disputes.
Acts 15:2This passage describes a council debating 'questions and disputes' about the law, highlighting that internal Jewish debates, even on significant theological points, were common and often required careful discernment, much like the 'questions about words and names' Gallio dismissed.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25Paul contrasts the 'word of the cross,' which is foolishness to Greeks and a stumbling block to Jews, with God's power and wisdom, illustrating how matters considered mere 'words' or 'names' by outsiders can hold profound divine significance.
Romans 14:1-4This chapter addresses disputes over 'disputable matters,' such as dietary laws and holy days, urging believers to welcome one another and not pass judgment, reflecting Gallio's desire to avoid judging internal religious disagreements.
ellicottActs 18:15: "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."
(15) But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law. —The second noun is in the singular number in the Greek. St. Paul was known as a speaker, one who preached the word of God, and with that, as distinct from acts, Gallio had nothing to do. The “names” were those which he had probably heard of at Rome, even before he came to Corinth. (See Note on Acts 18…
barnesActs 18:15: "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."
Of words - A dispute about words, for such he would regard all their controversies about religion to be. And names - Probably he had heard something of the nature of the controversy, and understood it to be a dispute about names; that is, whether Jesus was to be called the Messiah or not. To him this would appear as a matter pertaining to the Jews alone, and to be ra…
Gallio dismisses the dispute as being about trivial "questions of words and names," implying that from his Roman perspective, these arguments are insignificant details of Jewish law, not matters for his jurisdiction. He’s essentially saying, "This is your internal religious squabble, not a crime against Roman order."
The Apostle Paul is brought before the proconsul Gallio in Corinth, accused by Jewish leaders of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law. Gallio, however, dismisses the case, seeing it as a dispute over Jewish religious law and customs rather than a Roman offense, and refuses to be involved in judging such matters. He tells the accusers to settle their internal religious disagreements themselves.
The Apostle Paul is brought before the proconsul Gallio in Corinth, accused by Jewish leaders of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law. Gallio, however, dismisses the case, seeing it as a dispute over Jewish religious law and customs rather than a Roman offense, and refuses to be involved in judging such matters. He tells the accusers to settle their internal religious disagreements themselves.
"But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”" — Gallio dismisses the dispute as being about trivial "questions of words and names," implying that from his Roman perspective, these arguments are insignificant details of Jewish law, not matters for…
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Last reviewed October 2026