Acts 18:12-17

    While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

 

    Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

 

God kept His promise to protect Paul from all harm in Corinth. But this story demonstrates that it might not always have looked that way.

 

Achaia was the province within which Corinth sat. And the Jews brought Paul before the proconsul of the whole province of Achaia in court. While Paul wasn’t receiving a physical beating, the Jews were still trying to harm him.

 

But Paul didn’t even get a chance to speak up for himself. He didn’t need to. The proconsul wanted nothing to do with the case. Even when the Jews turned on one of their own and beat him, the proconsul stayed out of their affairs.

 

God protected Paul, in this case, by placing Paul in an area where the government protected him and kept him free to proclaim the gospel. 

 

Father, thank You that I am a citizen of a country like this, a country where the government dismisses cases that have nothing to do with dismeanors or crime. Thank You for protecting Your servants here. In a country like this, we believers should make sure all the more that we are hearing and obeying Your words to Paul, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Lord, protect Your servants’ freedom to tell people about You, to seek and win disciples, to worship You as You tell us to. But even more, strengthen us to be faithful to You, whether we keep these freedoms or not. Thank You for Your grace, Your help, Your provision. And thank You that we enjoy Your protection, too. Protect Your people around the world and make us fruitful.