Acts 18:12-18
English
Standard Version (ESV)
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews[a] made a united attack on Paul and brought
him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading
people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 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. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words
and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of
these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And
they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of
the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave
of the brothers[b] and set sail for Syria, and with him
Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
These verses
keep us hanging a little bit. It seems that Sosthenes was the scapegoat for
Paul. Who was Sosthenes? Was he someone who had protected Paul? Maybe he had refused to evoke punishment on
Paul? If he was a Christian was his
faith stronger because of this beating?
Who came to his rescue and took care of his wounds? I also have to wonder why Gallio just let the
beating take place. He had said
previously that if this was a vicious crime he could step in, to me, a beating
is a vicious crime. They were not even
beating the man they had brought acquisitions against. I was somewhat confused throughout this
entire passage. That is why I included
verse 18 because I believe it is important to notice that God, through all of
this, had protected Paul. Paul had to
have been reminded that God told him He would take care of him and not leave
him. In previous passages we have read
Paul left the city when threats came his way but this time he stayed many days
longer. Such a key to how his faith had
grown through on this journey.
I have to wonder
if my faith is so weak that I have a difficult time putting my trust where it
belongs. God made it very clear to Paul
that He would protect him. He has given
us His Word to make it clear to us that He is guiding us as well. But all too often, I want to question His
ways, I have to wonder why struggles come my way. I have a difficult time resting in His
peace. I need to learn to rest in His ways,
trust in His ways, and to not depend on my own understanding. I need not worry less about what others think
but rather put my faith and trust in Him and do His will, wherever that may
lead. I believe Paul was learning this
as he went on this journey. A journey
that had many joys but a lot of danger, heartache, and many trials brought to
him a peace. Seems strange or backwards
doesn’t it? That is the Power of the
Holy Spirit in our lives!
As you seek Him
today, recall that He was with Paul and He is with you as well, trust in Him.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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