Gallio

Overview

• Testament: New
• Role: Roman proconsul (deputy) of Achaia
• Family: Brother of the philosopher Seneca
• Key Books: Acts

Biography

Gallio was the Roman deputy of Achaia who held court at Corinth during Paul’s lengthy ministry there. When the Jews made an united assault on Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, Gallio judged the dispute to concern only “words and names, and of your law,” not a matter of crime or wickedness. He therefore refused to be a judge of such things and drove the accusers from the judgment seat, caring for none of the violence that followed.

Key Events

• Paul accused before Gallio at Corinth — the deputy dismisses the charge as an internal matter of Jewish law (Acts 18:12-16).

Relationships

• Paul (Apostle) — the apostle he refused to condemn
• Sosthenes — chief ruler of the synagogue, beaten before Gallio’s seat

Important Verses

• Acts 18:14-15 — Gallio declines to judge a question of words and the Jewish law.
• Acts 18:17 — “And Gallio cared for none of those things.”

Cross-References

• Mentioned in: Acts

Notes

Gallio’s ruling effectively treated the gospel as a lawful expression of Judaism, granting Paul Roman protection and freedom to continue preaching in Corinth.