Paragraph 18:12–13

18:12a

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: The events of 18:12–17 occurred during the year and a half mentioned in 18:11. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the events of 18:12–17 occurred after the year and a half had ended. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

⌊During that time,⌋ while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia

proconsul of Achaia: The title proconsul refers to the top leader of a Roman province. For example:

the Roman governor of Achaia (Good News Translation)

Achaia: This name refers to the province of the middle and southern parts of what is now called the country of Greece. At that time the Romans ruled Achaia. In some languages people are not familiar with the name Achaia. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Indicate that it is a province in your translation. For example:

⌊province of⌋ Achaia

But the word you use for “proconsul” may already clearly indicate that Achaia was a province.

• Explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Achaia was the province of what is now central and southern Greece. At that time Romans ruled Achaia.

18:12b

the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul: This phrase in Greek is literally “rose up with one purpose against Paul.” They wanted Gallio to make Paul stop preaching. The phrase “rose up” refers to coming against Paul to harm him. Here the English word attack does not indicate hitting Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Jews there got together, seized Paul, (Good News Translation)
-or-
some of the Jews came together against Paul (New Century Version)

the Jews: This phrase refers to the Jews in Corinth who opposed Paul. It does not refer to Jews who became believers in Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly include Jews who became believers in Jesus. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

the Jews ⌊who did not believe in Jesus⌋
-or-
the Jews ⌊of Corinth⌋ ⌊who rejected Jesus⌋

18:12c

brought him before the judgment seat: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as before the judgment seat is literally “before the judgment seat.” Here the Jews brought him before Gallio, the governor. The governor usually sat on this judgment seat while he did his work as governor. This included listening to important cases of law and judging who was right. Other ways to translate this clause are:

brought him to the judgment seat ⌊of the governor⌋ to accuse him
-or-
brought him before the governor for judgment (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
took him to the governor to bring charges against him

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