Acts 18:15
What does Acts 18:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 18:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 18:15 means
Gallio declares the dispute to be about words, names, and the Jews’ own law, and refuses to judge it. He recognizes it as an internal religious controversy, not a threat to public order. While Gallio is no theologian, his refusal inadvertently protects early Christian proclamation by classifying it within Judaism’s legal tolerance rather than as a novel crime. The verse shows how God can use secular fairness, even indifference, to advance His church. Civil government need not endorse the message to leave room for it. Gallio’s stance models a wise limit to state power: matters of conscience and doctrinal interpretation lie beyond its bench.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if it is a question of words or names or of your law, see to it yourselves; I will not be a judge of such things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but if it is a question concerning words and names, and of your law, look ye yourselves <FI>to it<Fi> , for a judge of these things I do not wish to be,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if they be questions of word and names and of your law, look you to it. I will not be judge of such things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but if it be questions about words, and names, and the law that ye have, see to it yourselves; [for] I do not intend to be judge of these things.
Context
The proconsul’s reasoning culminates in dismissal. Verse 15 articulates why he will not intervene, paving the way for the next verse where he drives the parties from the tribunal. The legal setback for Paul’s opponents becomes a practical shield for gospel work. Yet the crowd’s reaction in the following verse shows that public passions remain volatile, regardless of courtroom outcomes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 24:6
who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold:
- 1 Timothy 1:4
neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.
- Acts 23:29
whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
- John 18:31
Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
- 2 Timothy 2:23
But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
- Matthew 27:24
So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it.
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