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Acts 18:15

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 18:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Acts 18:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,
13saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14But 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:
15but 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.
16And he drove them from the judgment-seat.
17And 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.
18And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.
← Acts 18:14Acts 18:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if it be a question of words, etc.] “Or of the word”, what the Jews called the word of God, which Gallio did not pretend to understand: “and names”; as the names of God, of Jesus, and of Christ, whether he is God, and the Messiah: and of your law; concerning circumcision, whether these Christians, and the proselytes they make, are obliged unto it: look ye to it; suggesting that this was a matter that lay before them, and they were the proper judges of, and might determine for themselves, since they had the free exercise of their religion, and a right of judging of everything that respected that within themselves, and for which they were best furnished, as having a more competent…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“if it be a question of words and names, and of your law . . . I will be no judge, &c.--in this only laying down the proper limits of his office.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of words - A dispute about words, for such he would regard all their controversies about religion to be. And names - Probably he had heard something of the nature of the controversy, and understood it to be a dispute about names; that is, whether Jesus was to be called the Messiah or not. To him this would appear as a matter pertaining to the Jews alone, and to be ranked with their other disputes arising from the difference of sect and name. Of your law - A question respecting the proper interpretation of the Law, or the rites and ceremonies which it commanded. The Jews had many such disputes, and Gallio did not regard them as coming under his cognizance as a magistrate. Look ye to it -…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if it be - He speaks with the utmost coolness and contempt, a question of names - The names of the heathen gods were fables and shadows. But the question concerning the name of Jesus is of more importance than all things else under heaven. Yet there is this singularity (among a thousand others) in the Christian religion, that human reason, curious as it is in all other things, abhors to inquire into it. Acts 18:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a question: Act 23:29, Act 25:11, Act 25:19, Act 26:3; Ti1 1:4, Ti1 6:4; Ti2 2:23; Tit 3:9 look: Mat 27:4, Mat 27:24 for: Act 24:6-8; Joh 18:31 Acts 18:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification