Indifference to the things of God

Once more Paul becomes the target for opposition. A familiar pattern develops, v12-13, as the local Jewish religious leaders launch legal action against him before Gallio, a senior representative of the government in that Greek province. He held his position under the Roman authorities.

As the situation unfolds it becomes clear that Gallio is utterly careless and indifferent to the issues raised. Matters take a sinister turn as Sosthenes is assaulted in his very presence and he is unmoved, an event which boded ill for believers in that society. There would be little legal protection for any who suffered for their faith.

I  THE INDIFFERENCE OF GALLIO TO THE THINGS OF GOD.

1. A contemptuous attitude to the law of God, v15. How often men place the laws of men above the laws of God. Yet human law is to be subservient, Rom 13:3-6. What is under review here are the laws of God. The fact that the Jews were presenting a wrong view of that law to justify their own actions does not alter this fact. This law, to which Gallio was indifferent, was the OT revelation of the gospel and the basis of all that Christ came to do. His words in v14 indicate that he felt these matters to be of lesser importance that it was unreasonable for him to be interested in them.
2. His indifference is seen in conjunction with the Jews error. Sinners by nature are indifferent to the truth of God. Yet that carelessness is nurtured and encouraged when error and falsehood have spoiled the impact of the truth. As the truth retains its purity and Christ-centred focus, it retains its power. Cp Rom 1:16, 1Cor 2:2-5. A Christless form of the truth of God naturally tends to produce indifference among its hearers.
3. No interest in hearing Paul speak, v14. Before he could say a word, Paul was shut down and the matter dismissed by Gallio. Here is a truly sad development! He didn’t want to hear a syllable of Paul’s message because of his reaction to the Jews’ position. Paul got ‘lumped in’ with the Jews even though his message was different and was the saving truth of God.
4. He drove them away. He acted according to his indifference and dismissed them entirely. He determined to make no inquiry so as to judge on these matters.

II  GALLIO WAS UNMOVED WHEN WITNESSING THE VIOLENT ASSAULT ON SOSTHENES.

1. Sosthenes is beaten. He is described as the chief ruler of the synagogue. At this point he is clearly a leader of those opposed to Paul. This is soon to change, 1Cor 1:1.
2. Indifference on spiritual matters is not neutrality. Gallio betrayed a positive sympathy with his own countrymen who were violently opposed to the things of God that lay at the heart of the religion of the Jews. His professed indifference was in reality a short step to tacit support of this aggression. An indifferent sinner is at heart an enemy of God, His truth and His people. Cp Matt 12:30
3. Good legal order breaks down in society when indifference to the gospel prevails. The laws of God are the basis of good human justice and when God’s law is treated with contempt lawlessness/violence becomes rampant in society.

III   PAUL IS PRESERVED.

This is the undoubted outcome of this strange situation. The Lord used these events to deliver Paul from his enemies.

1. He is spared without having to say a word. Though willing to speak, the case against him falls apart in short order. Paul is able to resume his gospel work, v18.
2. Here is an illustration of how God can deliver His servants. This is a wonderful fulfilment of what the Lord had just promised him! He can cause confusion among His enemies. There is a strange providence as Sosthenes reaps what he no doubt was desiring for Paul. Cp Ps 7:16. Even this perhaps became a powerful lesson leading to his salvation.