Acts 18:14

14 And when Paul was now about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong, or hainous crime, 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 [man] persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 And when Paul was now about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong, or hainous crime, O [ye] Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it is 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 drove them from the judgment-seat.
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