Gallio: The elder brother of Seneca the philosopher, who was tutor and for
some time minister of the emperor Nero. He was "deputy", i.e.,
proconsul, as in Revised Version, of Achaia, under the emperor
Claudius, when Paul visited Corinth
(Acts 18:12) The word used here by
Luke in describing the rank of Gallio shows his accuracy. Achaia was
a senatorial province under Claudius, and the governor of such a
province was called a "proconsul." He is spoken of by his
contemporaries as "sweet Gallio," and is described as a most popular
and affectionate man. When the Jews brought Paul before his tribunal
on the charge of persuading "men to worship God contrary to the law"
(Acts 18:13) he refused to listen to them, and "drave them from the
judgment seat"
(Acts 18:16)
