Acts 18:14
New International Version
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.

New Living Translation
But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case.

English Standard Version
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
Now Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it was some unrighteousness or wicked crime, O Jews, according to reason I would have endured with you.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.

New American Standard Bible
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

NASB 1995
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

NASB 1977
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

Legacy Standard Bible
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

Amplified Bible
But when Paul was about to reply, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some misdemeanor or serious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to put up with you;

Christian Standard Bible
As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or of a serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of a crime or of moral evil, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews.

American Standard Version
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

Contemporary English Version
Even before Paul could speak, Gallio said, "If you were charging this man with a crime or some other wrong, I would have to listen to you.

English Revised Version
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Paul was about to answer when Gallio said to the Jews, "If there were some kind of misdemeanor or crime involved, reason would demand that I put up with you Jews.

Good News Translation
Paul was about to speak when Gallio said to the Jews, "If this were a matter of some evil crime or wrong that has been committed, it would be reasonable for me to be patient with you Jews.

International Standard Version
Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, "If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of some crime or serious piece of villainy, I would have been justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews,

New Heart English Bible
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

Weymouth New Testament
But, when Paul was about to begin his defence, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it had been some wrongful act or piece of cunning knavery I might reasonably have listened to you Jews.

World English Bible
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Paul being about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If, indeed, then, it was anything unrighteous, or an act of wicked recklessness, O Jews, according to reason I had borne with you,

Berean Literal Bible
Now Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it was some unrighteousness or wicked crime, O Jews, according to reason I would have endured with you.

Young's Literal Translation
and Paul being about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, 'If, indeed, then, it was anything unrighteous, or an act of wicked profligacy, O Jews, according to reason I had borne with you,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If therefore it were truly any injustice or wicked, criminal action, O Jews, against the word, I should have borne with you:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were some matter of injustice, or an heinous deed, O Jews, I should with reason bear with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.

New American Bible
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;

New Revised Standard Version
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as Paul was desirous to open his mouth and speak, Gal’li-o said to the Jews, If your accusations were based on something criminal, fraudulent, or vicious, I would welcome you properly, O Jews:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when Paulus had requested to open his mouth and speak, Galion said to the Jews, “If you are accusing about a matter of wickedness or fraud or what is hateful, Oh Jews, I would receive you on the merits.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were a matter of in justice, or of wicked mischief, Jews, I would, with reason, bear with you:

Godbey New Testament
And Paul being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were some injustice or wicked rascality, O Jews, I would bear with you according to reason:

Haweis New Testament
Then Paul being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews,

Mace New Testament
and when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "if it were a matter of some injustice or something immoral, O Jews, it would be reasonable to hear you out.

Weymouth New Testament
But, when Paul was about to begin his defence, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it had been some wrongful act or piece of cunning knavery I might reasonably have listened to you Jews.

Worrell New Testament
And, when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If, indeed, it were some wrong or wicked villainy, O Jews, with reason had I borne with you;

Worsley New Testament
And when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were indeed an act of injustice, or some wicked crime, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Before Gallio
13“This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. 14But 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. 15But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”…

Cross References
Acts 23:29
I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

Acts 25:18-19
But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. / They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 25:25
But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

Acts 26:31-32
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Luke 23:4
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

John 18:38
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

John 19:4
Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Romans 13:3-4
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. / For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

1 Corinthians 6:1-6
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Jeremiah 26:16
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!”

Proverbs 17:15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

Isaiah 5:20-23
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ...


Treasury of Scripture

And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O you Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

when.

Acts 21:39,40
But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people…

Acts 22:1,2
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you…

Acts 26:1,2
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: …

If.

Acts 23:27-29
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman…

Acts 25:11,18-20,26
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar…

bear.

Acts 13:18
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

Mark 9:19
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Romans 13:3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Jump to Previous
Act Bear Begin Borne Complaint Crime Cunning Defence Gallio Hainous Hearing Indeed Jews Knavery Lewdness Making Matter Mouth Open Paul Piece Profligacy Reason Reasonable Reasonably Serious Something Speak Unrighteous Vicious Wicked Wrong Wrongdoing
Jump to Next
Act Bear Begin Borne Complaint Crime Cunning Defence Gallio Hainous Hearing Indeed Jews Knavery Lewdness Making Matter Mouth Open Paul Piece Profligacy Reason Reasonable Reasonably Serious Something Speak Unrighteous Vicious Wicked Wrong Wrongdoing
Acts 18
1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9. The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.














But just as Paul was about to speak
This phrase sets the scene for a pivotal moment in the narrative. Paul, a central figure in the spread of Christianity, is about to defend himself. The Greek word for "speak" here is "λέγειν" (legein), which implies a formal or reasoned discourse. This moment underscores the readiness of Paul to articulate his defense and the divine timing that often intervenes in the lives of believers. It reminds us of the importance of being prepared to give a reason for our faith, as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15.

Gallio said to the Jews
Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, is a significant historical figure. His presence in this account provides a chronological anchor, as his tenure is well-documented around AD 51-52. Gallio's response is crucial because it reflects the Roman attitude towards internal Jewish disputes and the nascent Christian movement. His decision not to involve himself in what he perceives as a religious matter sets a precedent for the legal treatment of Christianity under Roman law, highlighting the providential protection over the early church.

If you Jews were making a complaint
The phrase "making a complaint" translates from the Greek "κατηγορίαν" (katēgorian), which means an accusation or charge. This legal terminology indicates the formal nature of the proceedings. Gallio's use of "you Jews" distinguishes between the Jewish leaders and the Christian sect, which was still seen as a Jewish offshoot. This distinction is critical in understanding the early church's struggle for identity and legitimacy within the broader Jewish and Roman contexts.

about some misdemeanor or serious crime
Gallio's reference to "misdemeanor or serious crime" (Greek: "ἀδίκημα" or "ῥᾳδιούργημα") highlights the Roman legal system's focus on civil order and justice. By dismissing the case, Gallio effectively declares that the issues at hand are not of public concern but rather internal religious disputes. This decision reflects the Roman policy of religious tolerance, provided that the practices did not disrupt public order, and underscores the early church's challenge in navigating these legal and cultural landscapes.

it would be reasonable for me to listen to you
The word "reasonable" (Greek: "ἀνέξομαι") implies a willingness to endure or bear with something. Gallio's statement suggests that he is open to hearing cases that fall within his jurisdiction of maintaining civil order. However, his refusal to engage with religious disputes illustrates the separation between civic duty and religious matters in Roman governance. This separation allowed the early church to grow relatively unimpeded by state interference, a testament to God's sovereignty in advancing His kingdom.

(14) When Paul was now about to open his mouth.--The phrase always implies, as has been noticed (see Note on Acts 8:35), the beginning of a set discourse. St. Paul was about to begin a formal apologia. This, however, proved to be unnecessary.

Gallio said unto the Jews.--The proconsul could hardly have resided in Achaia for eighteen months without hearing of the new movement. He knew the Jews. He probably knew something of St. Paul. On the assumption already referred to (see Note on Acts 18:12) the knowledge may have been fuller than appears on the surface. In any case, from his standpoint, as philosopher and statesman, it was not a matter for his tribunal. He was not anxious to draw a hard and fast line as to the relligiones licitae recognised by the State.

A matter of wrong or wicked lewdness.--Better, a matter of crime or fraud. "Lewdness," which to us suggests a special class of crimes, is used as "lewd" had been in Acts 17:5. The Greek word is very closely connected with that translated "subtlety" in Acts 13:10. Both words were probably used in a strictly forensic sense--the first for acts of open wrong, such as robbery or assault; the second for those in which a fraudulent cunning was the chief element.

Reason would that I should bear with you.--The very turn of the phrase expresses an intense impatience. Even in the case supposed, his tolerance would have required an effort. As it was, these Jews were now altogether intolerable. . . .

Verse 14. - But for and, A.V.; about for now about, A.V.; if indeed for if, A.V.; of wicked villainy for wicked lewdness, A.V. The Greek ῤᾳδιούργημα occurs only here in the New Testament or elsewhere; ῤᾳδιουργία, which is not uncommon in Greek writers, occurs in Acts 13:10.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But [just as]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Paul
Παύλου (Paulou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

was about
Μέλλοντος (Mellontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.

to speak,
ἀνοίγειν (anoigein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

Gallio
Γαλλίων (Galliōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1058: Of Latin origin; Gallion, a Roman officer.

told
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews,
Ἰουδαίους (Ioudaious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

“If
Εἰ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

this matter involved
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

wrongdoing
ἀδίκημά (adikēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 92: A legal wrong, crime (with which one is charged), misdeed, crime against God, a sin. From adikeo; a wrong done.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

vicious
πονηρόν (ponēron)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

crime,
ῥᾳδιούργημα (rhadiourgēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4467: A careless action, an act of villainy. From a comparative of rhaidios and ergon; easy-going behavior, i.e. a crime.

O
(ō)
Interjection
Strong's 5599: A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh.

Jews,
Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

it would be reasonable
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

for me to hear
ἀνεσχόμην (aneschomēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist.

your [ complaint ].
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


Links
Acts 18:14 NIV
Acts 18:14 NLT
Acts 18:14 ESV
Acts 18:14 NASB
Acts 18:14 KJV

Acts 18:14 BibleApps.com
Acts 18:14 Biblia Paralela
Acts 18:14 Chinese Bible
Acts 18:14 French Bible
Acts 18:14 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 18:14 But when Paul was about to open (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 18:13
Top of Page
Top of Page