John Calvin Commentary Acts 18:17

"And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things." — Acts 18:17 (ASV)

All the Grecians having taken Sosthenes. This is that Sosthenes whom Paul honorably couples with himself as his companion in the beginning of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. And although no mention was made of him before among the faithful, it is thought that he was then one of Paul’s companions and advocates.

And what fury compelled the Grecians to rush headlong upon him, except that it is allotted to all the children of God for the world to be set against them, and to be offended by them and their cause, even if unknown? Therefore, there is no reason why such unjust treatment should trouble us today when we see the miserable Church attacked on every side.

Moreover, the perversity of man’s nature is depicted for us as in a picture. Even if we grant that the Jews were hated everywhere for good reasons, yet why are the Grecians more displeased with Sosthenes, a modest man, than with the authors of the tumult, who troubled Paul without any cause?

The reason is this: when men are not governed by the Spirit of God, they are carried headlong into evil, as it were, by the secret inspiration of nature. Nevertheless, it may be that they bore Sosthenes such hatred, thinking he had lodged wicked men to raise sedition.

Neither did Gallio care for any of these things. This negligence must be attributed not so much to the sluggishness of the deputy as to hatred of the Jewish religion. The Romans could have wished that the remembrance of the true God had been buried. And therefore, while it was lawful for them to vow their vows and to pay them to all the idols of Asia and Greece, it was a capital offense to offer sacrifice to the God of Israel.

Finally, in the common liberty for every kind of superstition, only true religion was excepted. This is why Gallio overlooks the injury done to Sosthenes. He recently professed that he would punish injuries if any were committed; now he allows a guiltless man to be beaten before the judgment seat.

From where comes this tolerance, if not because he inwardly desired that the Jews might slay one another, so that their religion might be extinguished with them?

But since, by the mouth of Luke, the Spirit condemns Gallio’s carelessness—because he did not aid a man who was unjustly punished—let our magistrates know that they are far more inexcusable if they overlook injuries and wicked deeds, if they do not restrain the lawlessness of the wicked, and if they do not extend their hand to the oppressed.

And if the sluggish are to expect just condemnation, what terrible judgment hangs over the heads of those who are unfaithful and wicked—who, by favoring evil causes and tolerating wicked deeds, set up, as it were, a banner of impunity, and are like fans that kindle the boldness to do harm?