And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters." And he drove them from the judgment seat. Acts 18:14-16

What did Gallio, the wise and compassionate Roman proconsul, do when he was being played by the Jewish religionists? (Read yesterday’s blog if you missed it, in order to understand the question.)

Gallio called the religionists’ bluff. Unlike Pilate when Jesus stood before him, Gallio refused to be played. He was there to administer Roman law (which was not being broken), rather than to be played by special interest groups who sought to use the law to further their own agenda.

Thank God for Gallio! I’ll bet Paul did!

And let us pray that our civil leaders would have the integrity to uphold the law instead of bowing to the wishes of special interest groups who think nothing of twisting the law to support their own narratives.