Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 18:12-17

"But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 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: but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. 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 18:12-17 (ASV)

Paul was about to show that he did not teach people to worship God contrary to the law; but the judge would not allow the Jews to complain to him about what was not within his jurisdiction. It was right of Gallio that he left the Jews to themselves in matters relating to their religion, yet he would not let them, under the pretext of that, persecute another. But it was wrong to speak lightly of a law and religion which he could have known was from God, and with which he should have familiarized himself.

In what way God is to be worshipped, whether Jesus is the Messiah, and whether the gospel is a Divine revelation, are not questions of words and names; they are questions of vast importance. Gallio spoke as if he boasted of his ignorance of the Scriptures, as if the law of God was beneath his notice. Gallio cared for none of these things.

If he did not care for the affronts of evil people, it was commendable; but if he did not concern himself with the abuses done to good people, his indifference went too far. And those who see and hear of the sufferings of God's people, and have no sympathy for them, or care for them, who do not pity and pray for them, are of the same spirit as Gallio, who cared for none of these things.