Acts 18:12

An inscription found at Delphi in Central Greece has enabled us to date the beginning of Gallio’s term as proconsul to July 1, 51. [Note: See Bruce, Commentary on . . ., p. 374; and idem, "Chronological Questions . . .," pp. 282-83.] Gallio was a remarkable Roman citizen from Spain. His brother, the Stoic philosopher Seneca, who was Nero’s tutor, referred to him as having an unusually pleasant disposition.

"No mortal is so pleasant to any person as Gallio is to everyone." [Note: Seneca, Naturales Quaestiones 4a, Preface 11, cited by Longenecker, p. 485.]

"Even those who love my brother Gallio to the utmost of their power do not love him enough." [Note: Cited by Barclay, p. 148.]

Another Greek writer referred to his wit. [Note: Dio Cassius, History of Rome 61.35, cited by Longenecker, p. 485. See also Marshall, The Acts . . ., p. 297.] A proconsul was the governor of a Roman province, and his legal decisions set precedent for the other proconsuls throughout the empire. Consequently Gallio’s decision in Paul’s case affected the treatment that Christians would receive throughout the Roman world. This was the first time that Paul (or any other apostle, as far as we know) stood trial before a Roman provincial governor.

The "judgment-seat" (Gr. bema, Acts 18:12) was the place where Gallio made his official decisions.

It was ". . . a large, raised platform that stood in the agora (marketplace) in front of the residence of the proconsul and served as a forum where he tried cases." [Note: Longenecker, p. 486.]

Paul used the same Greek word to describe the judgment seat of Christ when he wrote to the Corinthians later (2 Corinthians 5:10; cf. Matthew 27:19).