Acts 18:14
What does Acts 18:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 18:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 18:14 means
Before Paul speaks, Gallio cuts in, stating that if the matter involved wrongdoing or serious crime, he would rightly hear it. This shows Roman justice recognizing its proper domain: punishing actual harm, not adjudicating theological debates. Gallio’s impatience with the case reveals a providential boundary that protects gospel preaching at this moment. The verse underscores that not all opposition requires defense; sometimes God uses authority to silence baseless charges without the accused saying a word. It also distinguishes the kingdom of God from civil disputes—Christianity is not a movement of criminality but of truth and conscience, which the state should neither fear nor mislabel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But when Paul was about to say something, Gallio said to the Jews, If this was anything to do with wrongdoing or crime, there would be a reason for me to give you a hearing:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Paul being about to open <FI>his<Fi> mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, `If, indeed, then, it was anything unrighteous, or an act of wicked profligacy, O Jews, according to reason I had borne with you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were some matter of injustice or an heinous deed, O Jews, I should with reason bear with you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But as Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality, O Jews, of reason I should have borne with you;
Context
Gallio’s interruption begins his ruling. Verse 14 frames the debate as outside the court’s concern if no civil wrong is involved. The next verse will sharpen the distinction, calling the dispute questions about words, names, and Jewish law. This prepares for the dismissal of the case and the ejection of the accusers from the tribunal, effectively shielding Paul’s ministry from legal suppression at this time.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:11
If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
- Mark 9:19
And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me.
- 2 Corinthians 11:1
Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
- Acts 25:18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
- Hebrews 5:2
who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
- 2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.
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