Page 149 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

Different citizens had different rights. A Roman citizen could expect to be treated differently and could
appeal any local court decision to Caesar. Other citizens’ rights were often tried in local courts. In Jesus'
time, the Jewish court could convict Jesus, but they needed the Roman authority’s approval to put Him
to death. Paul is beaten, imprisoned, and released in Acts 16. He uses his Roman citizenship to get the
magistrates to escort them out as an official apology (Acts 16:38-39). Greek influence had created many
cities with local government systems and customs. The Romans often used them to rule locally and
exercised supreme authority over their local counterparts.

A good example of this dual government is found in Acts 18:12-17, which says:
“While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and
brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to

worship God in ways contrary to the law.”Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them,
“If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor
or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to
you. 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.” So he drove them off. Then the crowd there

turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader, and beat him in front
of the proconsul, and Gallio showed no concern whatever. (NIV)”

The stones above are archeological evidence of Gallio as proconsul. If the texts are correct, he was only
Proconsul for approximately 2-3 months. 199 The texts on the stones include the statement “my friend
and proconsul L. Iunius Gallio.”

200 The Corinthian court Paul was brought to was called the Bema seat. This was the less
formal law court in which the public could bring cases before public officials. There was
a more formal one as well. The Bema seat was a judgment seat where discipline and
rewards would be given out. Paul was brought before it and told us that Jesus would
evaluate believers before His Bema seat as well. This judgment is not a formal trial in
which we may be sent to Hell for failure (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Rather it is an
evaluation of our faithfulness where we will be disciplined or rewarded. Had Gallio
listened, Paul would have given an account, and then Gallio would have made a ruling.
We are told we will give an account, and Jesus will make a ruling. Our goal is to hear,
“Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your reward.”

Religion:

The concept of religion in the Hellenistic world differed in multiple respects from what we have today.
NT Wright explains four differences. First, the Hellenists were primarily concerned with God’s receiving
blessings in this life rather than the next. This is different from Christianity but is similar in motivations
to why many seek God’s favor now (or the witch doctor in Africa). They want God to bless them now
and keep them from harm. Second, the focus of Hellenist “religion” was on ritual practice rather than
carefully delineated doctrine. Wright explains that the goal of prayers, sacrifices, and other rituals was
to endear the worshipper to the deity in order to gain favor. Third, Wright reminds us that the concept

199 Todd Bolen, BiblePlaces.com. https://www.bibleplaces.com/acts18/.
200 The Bema Seat at Corinth. http://www.corinth-museum.gr/en/archaeological-site/bema-of-saint-paul/.

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