Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 18]
miserably. {Beat him} (\etupton\). Inchoative imperfect active,
began to beat him, even if they could not beat Paul. Sosthenes
succeeded Crispus (verse 8) when he went over to Paul. The
beating did Sosthenes good for he too finally is a Christian
(1Co 1:1), a co-worker with Paul whom he had sought to
persecute. {And Gallio cared for none of these things} (\kai
ouden tout•n t•i Galli•ni emelen\). Literally, "no one of these
things was a care to Gallio." The usually impersonal verb
(\melei, emelen\, imperfect active) here has the nominative as in
Lu 10:40. These words have been often misunderstood as a
description of Gallio's lack of interest in Christianity, a
religious indifferentist. But that is quite beside the mark.
Gallio looked the other way with a blind eye while Sosthenes got
the beating which he richly deserved. That was a small detail for
the police court, not for the proconsul's concern. Gallio shows
up well in Luke's narrative as a clear headed judge who would not
be led astray by Jewish subterfuges and with the courage to
dismiss a mob.
18:18 {Having tarried after this yet many days} (\eti prosmeinas
h•meras hikanas\). First aorist (constative) active participle of
\prosmen•\, old verb, to remain besides (\pros\ as in 1Ti 1:3)
and that idea is expressed also in \eti\ (yet). The accusative is
extent of time. On Luke's frequent use of \hikanos\ see 8:11.
It is not certain that this period of "considerable days" which
followed the trial before Gallio is included in the year and six
months of verse 11 or is in addition to it which is most
likely. Vindicated as Paul was, there was no reason for haste in
leaving, though he usually left after such a crisis was passed.
{Took his leave} (\apotaxamenos\). First aorist middle (direct),
old verb, to separate oneself, to bid farewell (Vulgate
_valefacio_), as in verse 21; Mr 6:46. {Sailed thence}
(\exeplei\). Imperfect active of \ekple•\, old and common verb,
inchoative imperfect, started to sail. Only Priscilla and Aquila
are mentioned as his companions though others may have been in
the party. {Having shorn his head} (\keiramenos t•n kephal•n\).
First aorist middle (causative) of \keir•\, old verb to shear
(sheep) and the hair as also in 1Co 11:6. The participle is
masculine and so cannot refer to Priscilla. Aquila comes next to
the participle, but since mention of Priscilla and Aquila is
parenthetical and the two other participles (\prosmeinas,
apotaxamenos\) refer to Paul it seems clear that this one does
also. {For he had a vow} (\eichen gar euch•n\). Imperfect active
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