Acts 18:15
New International Version
But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
But if it is a question about a word, and names, and in reference to your law, you will see to it yourselves. I resolve not to be a judge of these things."

King James Bible
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.”

NASB 1995
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.”

NASB 1977
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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
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.”

Amplified Bible
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.”

Christian Standard Bible
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.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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."

Good News Translation
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!"

International Standard Version
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."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
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!"

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
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."

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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,”

Berean Literal Bible
But if it is a question about a word, and names, and in reference to your law, you will see to it yourselves. I resolve not to be a judge of these things."

Young's Literal Translation
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,'

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.”

New American Bible
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.”

New Revised Standard Version
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.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
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.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
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.

Godbey New Testament
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.

Haweis New Testament
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.

Mace New Testament
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."

Weymouth New Testament
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."

Worrell New Testament
but, if they are questions about a word, and names, and your own law, ye yourselves shall see to it. I am not disposed to be a judge of such matters."

Worsley New Testament
But if it be a question about words, and names, and your law, settle it yourselves; for I will be no judge of these matters.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Before Gallio
14But 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. 15But 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.” 16And he drove them away from the judgment seat.…

Cross References
Acts 23:29
I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

Acts 25:19-20
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.

Acts 26:3
especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

Acts 17:22-23
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.

Acts 19:37-38
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.

Acts 24:14-15
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.

Acts 25:8
Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 26:31-32
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.”

Acts 28:22
But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”

1 Corinthians 1:22-24
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.

1 Corinthians 2:14
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.

1 Timothy 1:4
or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.

2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

Matthew 22:23-33
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. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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.

a question.

Acts 23:29
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.

Acts 25:11,19
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…

Acts 26:3
Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

look.

Matthew 27:4,24
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that

for.

Acts 24:6-8
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law…

John 18:31
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:

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Acts 18
1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9. The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.














But since it is a dispute
The phrase "dispute" here is translated from the Greek word "zētēma," which implies a question or controversy. In the context of Acts 18, 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.

about words and names
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.

and your own law
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.

see to it yourselves
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.

I refuse to be a judge of such things
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.

(15) But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law.--The second noun is in the singular number in the Greek. St. Paul was known as a speaker, one who preached the word 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 Acts 18:2.) 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, the law which affects you), 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 (John 18:3), 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."

Verse 15. - They are questions about for it be a question of, A.V. and T.R.; your own for of your, A.V., an unnecessary change; look to it yourselves for look ye to it, A.V.; I am not minded to be a for for I will be no, A.V. and T.R.; these for such, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

since
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

it is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a dispute
ζητήματά (zētēmata)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2213: A question, subject of inquiry, dispute. From zeteo; a search, i.e. a debate.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

words
λόγου (logou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

names
ὀνομάτων (onomatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

your own
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

law,
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

settle [it]
ὄψεσθε (opsesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

yourselves.
αὐτοί (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

refuse
βούλομαι (boulomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1014: To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.

to be
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a judge
κριτὴς (kritēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2923: A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.

of such things.”
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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