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Acts 18:15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things."
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 18:15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/18-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/44_Act_18_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 18:15 - Paul Before Gallio" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. 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I will not be a judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But if it is a question about a word, and names, and in reference to your law, you will see <i>to it</i> yourselves. I resolve not to be a judge of these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But if it be a question of words and names, and <i>of</i> your law, look ye <i>to it</i>; for I will be no judge of such <i>matters</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look <i>to it</i> yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such <i>matters.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />but if there are questions about teaching and persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />but since it is merely a question [of doctrine within your religion] about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to judge these matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But since this concerns only words, names, and your own law, you will have to take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But since you're disputing words, names, and your own teachings, you'll have to take care of that yourselves. I don't want to be a judge who gets involved in those things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But since it is an argument about words and names and your own law, you yourselves must settle it. I will not be the judge of such things!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But since it is a question about words, names, and your own Law, you will have to take care of that yourselves. I refuse to be a judge in these matters." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but since it concerns points of disagreement about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I will not be a judge of these things!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I do not want to be a judge of these matters."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if it is a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it: for I will be no judge of such matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But since these are questions about words and names and your Law, you yourselves must see to them. I refuse to be a judge in such matters."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />but if it is a question concerning words and names, and of your law, look [to it] yourselves, for I do not intend to be a judge of these things,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But if it is a question about a word, and names, and in reference to your law, you will see <i>to it</i> yourselves. I resolve not to be a judge of these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> but if it is a question concerning words and names, and of your law, look ye yourselves to it, for a judge of these things I do not wish to be,'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But if it is a question of the word, and names, and law, according to you, see ye yourselves; for I will not be judge of these.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if they be questions of word and names, and of your law, look you to it: I will not be judge of such things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if they are a mere question of words and names and concerning your law, you can settle it better among yourselves; for I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But if the charges are about a discourse or about names or about your law, you know among yourselves that I do not want to be judge of these matters.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />but if it is a question about a word, and names, and your law, see to it yourselves: for I will not be a judge of these things.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />but if there are questions about the words and name, and law appertaining to you, yourselves shall see to it; I do not wish to be judge of these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />If indeed this was now a matter of injustice, or wicked knavery, with reason I should hear you patiently; but if it be merely a controversy about the word, and names, and a law peculiar to yourselves, settle it yourselves: for I will be no judge of these matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but since it is about disputable matters, about names, and your own law, you may decide that among yourselves: for I won't take cognizance of such affairs."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But since these are questions about words and names and your Law, you yourselves must see to them. I refuse to be a judge in such matters."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />but, if they are questions about a word, and names, and your own law, ye yourselves shall see <i>to it</i>. I am not disposed to be a judge of such matters."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But if it be a question about words, and names, and your law, settle <i>it</i> yourselves; for I will be no judge of these <i>matters.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/18-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=6050" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Paul Before Gallio</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">since</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">it is</a> <a href="/greek/2213.htm" title="2213: zētēmata (N-NNP) -- A question, subject of inquiry, dispute. From zeteo; a search, i.e. a debate.">a dispute</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logou (N-GMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">words</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3686.htm" title="3686: onomatōn (N-GNP) -- Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a name.">names</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kath’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your own</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law,</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: opsesthe (V-FIM-2P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">settle it</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autoi (PPro-NM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">yourselves.</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1014.htm" title="1014: boulomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to will, i.e. be willing.">refuse</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">to be</a> <a href="/greek/2923.htm" title="2923: kritēs (N-NMS) -- A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.">a judge</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">of such things.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>And he drove them away from the judgment seat.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-29.htm">Acts 23:29</a></span><br />I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-19.htm">Acts 25:19-20</a></span><br />They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive. / Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-3.htm">Acts 26:3</a></span><br />especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22-23</a></span><br />Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. / For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37-38</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess. / So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/24-14.htm">Acts 24:14-15</a></span><br />I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, / and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-8.htm">Acts 25:8</a></span><br />Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-31.htm">Acts 26:31-32</a></span><br />On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-22.htm">Acts 28:22</a></span><br />But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22-24</a></span><br />Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, / but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></span><br />or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-23.htm">2 Timothy 2:23</a></span><br />But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Titus 3:9</a></span><br />But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Matthew 22:23-33</a></span><br />That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him. / “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look you to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.</p><p class="hdg">a question.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/23-29.htm">Acts 23:29</a></b></br> Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/25-11.htm">Acts 25:11,19</a></b></br> For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/26-3.htm">Acts 26:3</a></b></br> Especially <i>because I know</i> thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.</p><p class="hdg">look.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Matthew 27:4,24</a></b></br> Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What <i>is that</i> to us? see thou <i>to that</i>… </p><p class="hdg">for.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/24-6.htm">Acts 24:6-8</a></b></br> Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/18-31.htm">John 18:31</a></b></br> Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/5-35.htm">Intend</a> <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">Involves</a> <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/acts/18-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/18-14.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/john/21-24.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/acts/15-37.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/acts/1-23.htm">Names</a> <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/18-21.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/luke/21-14.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Want</a> <a href="/acts/17-20.htm">Wish</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Words</a> <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/23-15.htm">Intend</a> <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">Involves</a> <a href="/acts/23-3.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/acts/19-38.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/19-38.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/acts/19-21.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/acts/18-27.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/philippians/4-3.htm">Names</a> <a href="/acts/19-39.htm">Question</a> <a href="/acts/23-29.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/acts/25-11.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/colossians/3-15.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-12.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/acts/19-39.htm">Want</a> <a href="/acts/25-20.htm">Wish</a> <a href="/acts/18-26.htm">Words</a> <a href="/acts/20-10.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-1.htm">Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-9.htm">The Lord encourages him in a vision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-12.htm">He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/acts/18.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>But since it is a dispute</b><br />The phrase "dispute" here is translated from the Greek word "zētēma," which implies a question or controversy. In the context of <a href="/acts/18.htm">Acts 18</a>, this refers to the internal disagreements among the Jews regarding their religious beliefs and practices. Historically, the early Christian movement often found itself at odds with Jewish authorities, as it challenged traditional interpretations of the law and the identity of the Messiah. This dispute highlights the tension between emerging Christianity and established Judaism, a recurring theme in the Acts of the Apostles.<p><b>about words and names</b><br />The "words and names" refer to theological and doctrinal issues, particularly concerning the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and the interpretation of the Scriptures. The Greek term "onomata" (names) suggests a focus on the significance of Jesus' name and titles, which were central to the early Christian proclamation. This reflects the broader historical context where names held deep spiritual and cultural significance, often representing authority and identity. The early church's insistence on the name of Jesus as the source of salvation was a point of contention with Jewish leaders.<p><b>and your own law</b><br />The phrase "your own law" indicates the Jewish law, or Torah, which was the foundation of Jewish religious life. The Greek word "nomos" is used here, emphasizing the legal and covenantal aspects of Jewish identity. In the historical context of Acts, the Roman authorities, represented by Gallio in this passage, were generally indifferent to internal Jewish religious disputes, as long as they did not disrupt public order. This reflects the broader Roman policy of allowing subject peoples to maintain their religious practices, provided they did not conflict with Roman law.<p><b>see to it yourselves</b><br />This directive from Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, underscores the Roman practice of allowing local populations to handle their internal religious matters. The phrase "see to it yourselves" is a dismissal of the case, indicating that the Roman authorities did not wish to involve themselves in what they perceived as a purely religious issue. This reflects the historical reality of Roman governance, which often sought to maintain peace by avoiding interference in local religious disputes unless they threatened the stability of the region.<p><b>I refuse to be a judge of such things</b><br />Gallio's refusal to judge the matter highlights the Roman perspective on religious disputes, which were seen as outside the purview of civil law unless they posed a threat to public order. The Greek word "krinō" (judge) implies a legal decision or judgment. Gallio's stance is significant in the narrative of Acts, as it sets a precedent for the treatment of Christian disputes under Roman law. This decision allowed the early Christian movement to continue its mission with a degree of protection from Roman interference, as long as it remained within the bounds of civil peace.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law.</span>--The second noun is in the singular number in the Greek. St. Paul was known as a speaker, one who preached the <span class= "ital">word</span> of God, and with that, as distinct from acts, Gallio had nothing to do. The "names" were those which he had probably heard of at Rome, even before he came to Corinth. (See Note on <a href="/acts/18-2.htm" title="And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.">Acts 18:2</a>.) Was a teacher whom both parties spoke of as Jesus the Nazarene entitled also to bear the name of Christos? In the emphasis laid on "your law" (literally, <span class= "ital">the law which affects you</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>the judge intimates that he sees through their appeal to law. It is Jewish, and not Roman law, which they are seeking to vindicate, and he will not make himself, as Pilate, after a weak protest (<a href="/john/18-3.htm" title="Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.">John 18:3</a>), had done (Gallio may well have known the history), the executioner of an alien code. With a strong emphasis on the pronoun, he ends with, "I, for my part, have no wish to be a judge of these things."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> <span class="accented">- They are questions about</span> for <span class="accented">it be a question of</span>, A.V. and T.R.; <span class="accented">your own</span> for <span class="accented">of your</span>, A.V., an unnecessary change; <span class="accented">look to it yourselves</span> for <span class="accented">look ye to it</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">I am not minded to be a</span> for <span class="accented">for I will be no</span>, A.V. and T.R.; <span class="accented">these</span> for <span class="accented">such</span>, A.V. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/18-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a dispute</span><br /><span class="grk">ζητήματά</span> <span class="translit">(zētēmata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2213.htm">Strong's 2213: </a> </span><span class="str2">A question, subject of inquiry, dispute. From zeteo; a search, i.e. a debate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="grk">λόγου</span> <span class="translit">(logou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">names</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀνομάτων</span> <span class="translit">(onomatōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3686.htm">Strong's 3686: </a> </span><span class="str2">Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">your own</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">law,</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμου</span> <span class="translit">(nomou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">settle [it]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄψεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(opsesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yourselves.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοί</span> <span class="translit">(autoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγὼ</span> <span class="translit">(egō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">refuse</span><br /><span class="grk">βούλομαι</span> <span class="translit">(boulomai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1014.htm">Strong's 1014: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶναι</span> <span class="translit">(einai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a judge</span><br /><span class="grk">κριτὴς</span> <span class="translit">(kritēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2923.htm">Strong's 2923: </a> </span><span class="str2">A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of such things.”</span><br /><span class="grk">τούτων</span> <span class="translit">(toutōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/18-15.htm">Acts 18:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/18-15.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 18:15 But if they are questions about words (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/18-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 18:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 18:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/18-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 18:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 18:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>