Act 27:1 And when it was decided for us to sail to Italy, they delivered up both Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of a cohort of Augustus.
Act 27:2 And boarding a ship of Adramyttium which was about to sail alongside Asian places, we set sail, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us.
Act 27:3 And on the next day we landed at Sidon. And treating Paul kindly, Julius allowed him to go to his friends to receive care.
Act 27:4 And setting sail from there, we sailed close to Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary.
Act 27:5 And sailing over the sea against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia.
Act 27:6 And the centurion finding there an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, he put us into it.
Act 27:7 And in many days, sailing slowly and with difficulty, hardly coming against Cnidus, the wind not allowing us, we sailed close to Crete against Salmone.
Act 27:8 And coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a certain place named Fair Havens, near to which was a city, Lasea.
Act 27:9 And much time having passed, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the Fast already had gone by, Paul warned them,
Act 27:10 saying, Men, I see that the voyage is about to be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our souls.
Act 27:11 But the centurion was rather persuaded by the helmsman and the ship master, than by the things spoken by Paul.
Act 27:12 And the port not being fit for wintering, the most gave counsel to set sail from there, if somehow they may be able to pass the winter, arriving at Phoenix, a port of Crete looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest.
Act 27:13 And a south wind blowing gently, thinking to have gained the purpose, raising anchor they sailed along close by Crete.
Act 27:14 And not much after, a stormy wind being called Euroclydon beat down on it.
Act 27:15 And the ship being seized, and not being able to beat against the wind, giving way we were borne along.
Act 27:16 But running under an islet being called Clauda, we were hardly able to get mastery of the boat;
Act 27:17 which taking, they used helps, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they fall into Syrtis, lowering the tackle, so they were borne along.
Act 27:18 But we having been exceedingly storm tossed, they made a casting on the next day.
Act 27:19 And on the third day they threw out the ship's tackle with their hands.
Act 27:20 And neither sun nor stars appearing over many days, and no small tempest pressing hard, now all hope of our being saved was taken away.
Act 27:21 And there being much fasting, then standing up in their midst, Paul said, Truly, O men, being obedient to me you ought not to have set sail from Crete, and to have come by this injury and loss.
Act 27:22 And now I exhort you to be cheered, for there will be no casting away of soul from among you, only of the ship.
Act 27:23 For tonight stood by me an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Act 27:24 saying, Do not fear, Paul, You must stand before Caesar. And, behold, God has granted to you all those sailing with you.
Act 27:25 Therefore, be cheered, men, for I believe God, that it will be so according to the way it was spoken to me.
Act 27:26 But we must fall on a certain island.
Act 27:27 And when the fourteenth night came, we being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, toward the middle of the night the sailors supposed us to come near some country.
Act 27:28 And sounding, they found twenty fathoms; and moving a little and sounding again, they found fifteen fathoms.
Act 27:29 And fearing lest they should fall on rock places, and casting four anchors out of the stern, they wished day to come.
Act 27:30 But the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and lowering the boat into the sea, pretending to be about to cast out anchors from the prow,
Act 27:31 Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.
Act 27:32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall.
Act 27:33 And until day was about to come, Paul begged all to partake of food, saying, Today is the fourteenth day you continued waiting without food, not having taken anything.
Act 27:34 Because of this I beg you to take of food, for this is to your deliverance, for not a hair of your head shall perish.
Act 27:35 And saying these things, and taking bread, he gave thanks to God before all; and breaking, he began to eat.
Act 27:36 And all having become cheered, they also took food.
Act 27:37 And we were, all the souls in the ship, two hundred seventy six.
Act 27:38 And being filled with food, they lightened the ship, throwing the wheat out into the sea.
Act 27:39 And when day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noted a certain bay having a shore, into which they purposed, if they were able, to drive the ship.
Act 27:40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the bands of the rudders, and raising the foresail to the breeze, they held to the shore.
Act 27:41 And coming on a place between two seas, they drove the vessel. And indeed the prow having stuck firmly, it remained. But the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.
Act 27:42 And the mind of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any swimming out should escape.
Act 27:43 But being minded to save Paul, the centurion kept them back from their purpose and commanded those able to swim, first casting themselves overboard, to go out on the land.
Act 27:44 And the rest went, some indeed on boards, and others on some of the things from the ship. And so it happened that all were saved on the land.
SHIPWRECK
Verses 1-8: Paul is set asea with others to go to Italy by boat. The journey is slow. Paul seems to be favored by the centurion who allows him to be ministered to by his friends.
1. Who was with Paul on this journey? Julius, Aristarchus, Luke, and others.
2. How was Paul treated? ..."And treating Paul kindly, Julius allowed him to go to his friends to receive care." Paul is not perceived as a flight risk. He is trusted. Paul is not necessarily under any medical duress. The words used for this indicate he is being "refreshed" with some hospitality. This allowance is a bug deal considering he is still under "arrest."
Additional: If Paul is
ill, why doesn’t his illness enter more into the story?
Verses 9-20: Paul warns not to proceed due to danger. Paul is overruled so they set sail. A strong wind pounds the ship and they seek as much safety as possible but it looks hopeless.
Additional: If the centurion favored Paul, why didn’t he listen to his warnings? He is not a believer, and he has to get his prisoners to their port.
Verses 21-37: Paul reminds them of his warning. He then tells them none of them will perish (being told by an angel of God). The sailors are ready to abandon and leave everyone. Paul tells the centurion they all need to stay onboard. The soldiers cut away the lifeboat. Eventually, Paul encourages those on board to eat and they become revived.
3. How is it Paul can still encourage the others? Paul uses the trust he had already fostered along with his prior warnings to show his trustworthiness. He relates how God is watching over them. His God, who he belongs to. Paul takes command and fosters trust.
Additional: What can we
learn from Paul?
Verses 38-44: The ship runs aground. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so they would not escape. The centurion stops them. Everyone escapes with their life.
4. Why did the centurion want to help Paul? We cannot ignore that Paul had a positive effect on this man. He must have proved himself to be a man of his word. He was a prisoner, but he must have been kind, without harsh words. Paul prophecies the shipwreck and warns the centurion. He gives the credit to God. Paul conducts himself with the honor and demeanor that should exemplify all Christians.
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