Acts 18:14

And( But) when Paul was now about to open his mouth There is nothing in the Gk. which requires the word "now." The Roman has too much contempt for the whole matter and all who are concerned in it to listen to any defence. For the law of the Jews, its breach or its observance, he has no care, and will not be used by either party.

Gallio said unto the Jews He does not need to hear both sides of a question about which he will give no opinion.

If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked lewdness( villany)] The old word "lewdness" has grown to have a different meaning from that which it had when the A. V. was made. The two things of which the magistrate would take account are (1) any evil doing (cp. Acts 24:20), an act of injustice, or (2) any unscrupulous conduct involving moral wrong. He would be, that is, a minister of law and equity, for that was his duty.

reason would that I should bear with you He shews by his language how far he feels the Roman citizen above the tolerated Jews. But if their case called for its exercise they should have the benefit of toleration and he would inquire into matters that were the business of his office.