Paul was teaching and preaching faith in Jesus Christ in Corinth for 1½ years.  Then the Jews “ganged up” on Paul and took him before the proconsul Gallio at the judgment seat. (Acts 18:11-12)

(NASB) Acts 18:13 “…‘This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.’
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;
15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.’
16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat.  But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.”

Hmmm, what is striking from this passage of Scripture?
Gallio was not intimidated, coerced or pressured to judge Paul and his teachings of Jesus.  It was of no concern to him.  Paul had not broken the Roman law or committed a vicious crime.

Paul was not allowed by Gallio to say one word!  He did not have the opportunity to defend himself or declare the Good News of Jesus Christ before that judgment seat.

The Jews attacked the synagogue leader, possibly out of frustration.  Paul went on his way and was not involved with the beating.

The Lord had promised Paul in a vision at night about 1½ years earlier, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”                        (NASB Acts 18:9-10)

A question which comes to mind; why was Paul protected by the Lord in Corinth and not in other cities?  I don’t know!  God’s plans and purposes are for His glory…whatever our circumstances are.  God is Sovereign.

The Lord states in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.
9 ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,’
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Paul was God’s chosen instrument in Corinth…and we are His chosen instruments where we are.  Even though we don’t always “see the big picture,” our God does.

Trust Him in your circumstances.