Was Roman Proconsul Gallio in The Book of Acts a Real Person?

In Acts 18: 12-17, we read, “While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”  Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. “

Was Gallio a historical figure? Yes, he was! Gallio was born in 5 B.C. in Spain, and his father was Seneca the Elder. His brother was the famous philosopher Seneca the Younger! The philosopher wrote about his brother, “One began by paying homage to his intellect..”  Gallio was smart. 

Also, a clay tablet named the Delphi Inscription was discovered in 1905. It reads, “Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 12th year of tribunician power, acclaimed emperor for the 26th time, father of the country, sends greetings to … For long have I been well-disposed to the city of Delphi and solicitous for its prosperity, and I have always observed the cult of the Pythian Apollo. Now since it is said to be destitute of citizens, as my friend and proconsul L. Iunius Gallio recently reported to me…”  

Seneca’s description and the Delphi Inscription are evidence outside the Bible that Gallio was a known historical figure. The next time you read Acts 18, you can be confident that you are READING THE TRUTH. The Bible stories aren’t fictional. It describes real people and real places.