Perhaps

acts 18:9-18; john 16:20-23

"Do not be afraid.  Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.  No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city."

We catch a glimpse of the intimacy of Jesus' relationship with Paul.   Jesus speaks to Paul words of encouragement as one would speak to a friend.   

Jesus tells Paul that He got his back.  

We discover that having Jesus as friend means you have friends in high places, friends that you would not necessarily consider friendly. 

Gallio, a Roman proconsul is the instrument of God's choice of keeping Paul intact and on the the path of proclamation.  God uses anyone and everyone. 

This is why Paul takes the vow and shaves his head.  It is a vow of humility, by which he recognizes that by God's grace he was saved.  Paul realized that God used the unlikeliest persons to make clear the path for the gospel and he is moved to give thanks. 

Who has God used in your life to keep you on the right path?  What unknown person has become an instrument of grace to keep the gospel message alive in your life?

On another note: "God has many people in the city he can use."  This should always give a pause for caution as we deal we people.  Each of them and all them might be the instrument of choice. 

As Paul teaches us in Hebrews chapter 13, "continue to love each other like brothers and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Perhaps Paul was reflecting on his experience with Gallio and how God used him to spread the gospel.

Perhaps.

Think about it.