Contrasts in the attitude of men towards the gospel.
I. LEGALISM. The whole idea of the opponents of Paul was his inconsistency with the Law.
1. It was not reverence for God's Law, but for men's traditions.
2. It was a form of self-worship. "He followeth not with us."
3. It was moral pedantry, a common sin; questions about words, names, and law, hiding realities.
II. SECULARITY. Gallio an amiable and wise man, but doubtless influenced by the prevailing Roman spirit, which was indifference to all religion. "Reason" was his guide. But, while he refused to be a party to religious persecution, he did not put forth his power, as he might have done, to maintain liberty of speech.
III. HEATHENISM IGNORANCE AND DISORDER. The gospel best prospers in the calm atmosphere of peace and reasonable thought. When we excite men's passions against one another, we hinder the cause of truth. Sosthenes, doubtless, was ringleader of the Jews, but the Greeks did no service to the gospel by beating him. Gallio's indifference to the gospel was probably increased by seeing it identified with disorder. The men of the world are not to be won by fanaticism.—R.