Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things. Acts 18:17
Wait just a minute! Didn’t we just say that Gallio was wise not to get drawn into a dispute between the Jews and the Christians? Yep. But a “hands off” approach can be a bad thing as well as a good thing. Gallio was wise not to get drawn into a dispute that was not his business, or the business of the government. But when the government refuses to maintain law and order and stop evil doers, the government has stopped doing what God ordained government to do. Let’s think about this.
Who was Sosthenes? He was the ruler of the synagogue, probably the replacement for the former leader, Crispus, who had converted to follow Christ. There was a Sosthenes in Corinth who was a believer (1 Corinthians 1:1). Was this the same man? We do not know for sure, but I lean in the direction that he was, though we do not know if his conversion was before or after this beating. Either way, when the Gentile mob attacked Sosthenes, either as a Jewish leader or as a Christian—it was wrong. Gallio’s “hands off” policy was dead wrong when the dispute between Jews and Christians, and now Greeks (who were neither) turned to violence.
In our day, the people who cry to defund or do away with police are not only foolish, they are demanding the government not do what God ordained government to do. Read Romans 13:2-4.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
When the government looks the other way regarding lawlessness in our nation, and stops executing wrath on those who practice evil, the government is not acting according to God’s ordination.
Let us be careful about desiring that government would simply “leave us alone.” While this sentiment is dear to my heart, it can go too far. Oh, that the government would leave honest citizens alone without excessive regulation—AND at the same time, not adopt a “hands off” policy toward criminals!