The Lord had promised that He would keep Paul safe in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11): this was not one of those cities where a short mission, ending in violence against the Apostle, would establish a church. God had many people to reach in the city and most would come with religious and cultural baggage. That was why Paul needed to stay a long time there; to disciple the new believers so that their faith would be securely founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

But the religious community had other ideas. They were convinced that Paul's teaching would jeopardise their standing in the eyes of the authorities, which forbade new religions arising. Judaism was legally accepted; Christianity was not. So the Jews organised a united protest against Paul, dragging him to the local court. Gallio was a gentle man, though he was a high ranking governor, and he refused even to hear the case against Paul. The proconsul understood that the Christian faith had arisen from the Jewish faith, and that if the Jews were bothered, they should sort it out themselves. Was that wisdom or cowardice?

Immediately after that, crowds of Gentiles were impatient with the Jews complaining about religious matters. So the Gentiles spontaneously attacked the synagogue leader who, we presume, had brought the complaint: and the proconsul turned a blind eye. He did not stop the mini-riot or seek to defend Sosthenes who was badly beaten. Sosthenes is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1 as a Christian brother and fellow worker with Paul. Whatever the Jewish and Gentile intent in their actions, the Lord intended to protect His servant and prevent religious groups from disturbing the ministry – so that a church could be formed over a period of time.

The Lord is in full command of every situation. He can allow persecution in order to extend His kingdom, or stop the violence against His servants for the same purpose. He knows the way that we take and when He has tested us, we will be truly valuable to Him (Job 23:10). However, when He promises protection, He provides it, and some of those who oppose believers will themselves come to trust in Jesus. Whatever the authorities or mobs may say, the Lord is more powerful than any of them. So trust Him: He can even turn back the wrath of their attack on you. The Lord overrules everything so simply trust in Him and allow yourself to be led.