CHAPTER 27

1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Paul was found guilty of NOTHING!
But, instead of releasing him, they determined to send him to Rome.

Evidently, Luke accompanied Paul; because Luke is writing in the first person.
Aristarchus had accompanied Paul before (See Acts 19:29, and Acts 20:24).
Paul spoke of Arestarchus as a "fellowprisoner" in Rome (Col. 4:10), and as a "fellowlabourer" (Philemon 24).

They left on the ship "Adramyttium," however Julius evidently determined they would get on another ship later (See vs 6).

As always with sailing, they had to follow the winds (vss 7-8).

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

Paul realized this was a dangerous time of the year to be sailing in the direction they determined.
So he "admonished" them, or sought to dissuade them from further travel.

The "owner of the ship" believed it would be ok, and Julius believed him; so they went on.

After they passed Crete without incident, something happened!
A large "tempestuous" wind came up.
The word "Euroclydon" is taken from Acts 27:14 two Greek words, (euros), "wind," and (kludoon), "wave".
This probably means the wind caused the waves to be high.
Some interpreters have stated this wind was like a hurricane.
Hurricanes are prominent in that area of the Mediterranean, and they are called Levanters now;
usually arising in the eastern part of the Mediterranean.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

The ship was caught in the wind so much that they could not guide it.
So they "let her drive," or just follow whatever direction the wind took it.

The danger was so great, they took steps to try and secure the ship.
First, they pulled in the small boat that ran along beside (or behind), and secured it to the deck.
Second, they pulled the sails and tied them securely.
Third, they cast out some of the cargo to "lighten" the ship.
Fourth, they cast out the "tackling" of the ship (anything that was not essential to the preservation of the ship).

There were "many days" when they did not see the sun or stars.
And, the crewmen "lost hope" that they would be "saved."

But Paul had a "word" from God!

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

Paul had been quiet since he had not been able to persuade them to turn back.
But, now he spoke.

He said that an "angel of God" talked to him.
Note that Paul said, "God, Whose I AM, and Whom I SERVE."
Please consider that statement for a moment.
When we BELONG to God, then we will SERVE Him!

Paul, in shortened version, told them no person would be lost, but they would lose the ship.
And, that they would be "cast upon a certain island."
In Acts 28:1, we learn that island was Malta.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

It had been fourteen nights since the storm had begun.

Some of them felt they were nearing land.
So they cast out a line to find the bottom.
At the first cast, they felt it to be "twenty fathoms," or about 120ft.
The second cast showed the depth to be "fifteen fathoms," or about 90ft.
They truly felt they were coming to a land mass.

Since most land masses have large rock formations in the sea, they were afraid of being tossed onto some rocks.
Then they "wished for the day," so they could see.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

The "shipmen" (crew) were going to take the small boat and abandon ship!

Paul told the Centurion if they didn't stay in the ship they could not be saved.
So, the Centurion (and his soldiers) cut the ropes to the small boat, and let it fall away.

The Centurion had learned to listen to Paul rather than anyone else!

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

Near daylight, Paul talked them all into eating.
They had been fighting the waves and wind for fourteen days without eating.

Paul also told them that NONE would perish!

When they got ready to eat, Paul "gave thanks to God in the presence of them all!"
There was still a storm!
There were 266 people on board a ship that might be broken up and sink!
But there is Paul, "giving thanks to God!!"

No matter what circumstances we may face, if we BELONG to God, and SERVE Him, we can expect His Hand of security!!

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

After they had eaten, they threw all the wheat overboard to lighten the ship more.
Then, they saw "a creek with a shore."
The word "creek" is translated from the Greek kolpos which usually means "bay."
So, they had seen a bay with a "shore."

This probably meant there were no evident rocks upon which they would crash; and,
they would be able to run the ship aground.
Which is what they "were minded" to do.

So they let the ship run aground.
The front part of the ship was on the ground, but the latter part of the ship was "broken with the violence of the waves!"

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners.
This would keep them from escaping.
To allow a prisoner to escape meant the death penalty for a soldier.

But the Centurion had learned to trust Paul, and wanted him safe.
So, he commanded that ALL who could swim jump out and get to shore.

Then, those who couldn't swim took boards and other pieces of the ship to get to shore.

And, just like God had told Paul, ALL of them "escaped safe to land!"

There are words in Psalm 107 which are appropriate here.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Seamen know!
It is God Who "raiseth the stormy wind."
And, it is God Who can "bring(eth) them unto their desired haven!"

It is the same with the stormy winds of adversity!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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