Acts 18:14

14 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:

Acts 18:14 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 18:14

And when Paul was now about to open his mouth
In his own defence, and plead his own cause, and answer to the charge exhibited against him:

Gallio said unto the Jews, if it was matter of wrong;
of injury to any man's person or property, as murder, theft

or wicked lewdness;
as fraud, forgery, perjury, treason

O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
his sense is, that it would be according to right reason, and agreeably to his office as a judge, to admit them and their cause, and try it, and hear them patiently, and what was to be said on both sides of the question, what the charges were, and the proof of them, and what the defendant had to say for himself. The Vulgate Latin version reads, "O men Jews"; and so Beza's ancient copy.

Acts 18:14 In-Context

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 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:
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.
16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
The King James Version is in the public domain.