Gallio

Gallio, the Roman proconsul of Achaia, refused to judge Paul when the Jews brought charges against him in Corinth.

Gallio was the Roman proconsul of Achaia, the province that included the city of Corinth, during Paul's second missionary journey (Act 18:12). When the Jews brought charges against Paul, accusing him of persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law, Gallio refused to hear the case. He dismissed the charges, stating that he would not get involved in matters of Jewish law and that the Jews should settle the issue among themselves (Act 18:14-16). Gallio's refusal to judge Paul allowed the apostle to continue his ministry in Corinth unhindered. The incident also demonstrates the Roman authorities' general tolerance of early Christian preaching, as long as it did not disturb public order or challenge Roman rule. Gallio's tenure as proconsul of Achaia helps to date Paul's time in Corinth to around 51-52 AD.

The elder brother of Seneca the philosopher, who was tutor and for some time minister of the emperor Nero. He was “deputy”, i.e., proconsul, as in Revised Version, of Achaia, under the emperor Claudius, when Paul visited Corinth (Acts 18:12). The word used here by Luke in describing the rank of Gallio shows his accuracy. Achaia was a senatorial province under Claudius, and the governor of such a province was called a “proconsul.” He is spoken of by his contemporaries as “sweet Gallio,” and is described as a most popular and affectionate man. When the Jews brought Paul before his tribunal on the charge of persuading “men to worship God contrary to the law” (18:13), he refused to listen to them, and “drave them from the judgment seat” (18:16).