The bema of Corinth

In the Bible

Under the proconsul Gallio, Paul was brought before the judgment seat; Gallio refused to judge a dispute about words, names and their own law.

Acts 18:12–17While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.” And he drove them away from the judgment seat. At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Tradition

Many identify this raised platform in the forum with the judgment seat of Acts; an inscription found at Delphi dates Gallio's year in office to c. 51–52. A church was later built on it.

Here today

The stone platform in the middle of the forum, with traces of the later church; pilgrims read Acts 18 here.

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).