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Acts Chapter
Twenty-seven
I.
Content of the Chapter
Paul Encountered the Storm when
He Was Delivered to Rome
I. From Caesarea to Fair Havens:
A. Festus delivered Paul to Julius a centurion who sent him to Rome (v.1).
B. They sailed to Sidon and Julius gave Paul liberty (v.2-3).
C. The winds were contrary
they had sailed slowly many days and arrived
at Fair Havens (v.4-8).
II. They went past a time limit and
sailed with difficulty and they encountered the strong wind on the way:
A. Paul predicted that they would suffer disaster (v.9-10).
B. The centurion did not believe what Paul had said (v.11).
C. They wanted to set sail to Phoenix and winter there (v.12-13).
D. Not long after
a tempestuous head wind arose and the ship was caught
by the wind (v.14-17).
E. The boat was exceedingly tempest-tossed and all hope that they would
be saved was finally given up (v.18-20).
F. Paul comforted the fellow travelers by God and predicted that there
would be no loss of life among them (v.21-26).
G. The boat was driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea
about midnight
the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land (v.27-29).
H. The sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and Paul told the
centurion to stop them (v.30-32).
I. As day was about to dawn
Paul implored them all to set their mind at
ease and take food (v.33-36).
J. They ran the ship aground in a place where two seas met (v.37-41).
K. The centurion did not allow the soldiers to kill the prisoners and
they all escaped safely to land (v.42-44).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Acts. 27:1 “And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy
they
delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius
a centurion of the
Augustan Regiment.”
YLT: “And when our sailing to Italy was
determined
they were delivering up both Paul and certain others
prisoners
to
a centurion
by name Julius
of the band of Sebastus
”
Meaning of Words: “Italy”: calf-like; “the Augustan
Regiment”: the
Augustan troops; “Julius”: soft hair.
Literal Meaning: “that we should sail to
Italy” “We”
included Luke the author. Previously
the last time that “we” occurred is in
Acts. 21:18. What Paul encountered from his being arrested to his arriving at
Rome and the course of his being judged were recorded in detail
showing that
Luke the author of this book accompanied Paul all the time.
Luke and Aristarchus (See v.2) were not listed among
the prisoners. According to the routines at that time
the relatives
friends
and slaves of the prisoner were allowed to accompany the prisoner so as to
serve him.
“To one named Julius
a
centurion of the Augustan Regiment” “The Augustan Regiment” may refer to the emissaries of the emperor who took on the positions
of communications between emperor and the troops in various provinces. Please
note that “the centurions” who occurred in the New Testament all seemed
friendly to Christians and they even believed in the Lord (See v.3
43; Matt.
8:5-13; Luke. 23:47; Acts. 10:22-33).
Acts. 27:2 “So
entering a ship of
Adramyttium
we put to sea
meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia.
Aristarchus
a Macedonian of Thessalonica
was with us.”
YLT: “and having embarked in a ship of
Adramyttium
we
being about to sail by the coasts of Asia
did set sail
there
being with us Aristarchus
a Macedonian of Thessalonica
”
Meaning of Words: “Adramyttium”: haven’t taken part in the
race
I still exist after death; “Asia”: east
soil; “Macedonian”:
expansion; “Thessalonica”:
victory
overcoming the disturbance of the law; “Aristarchus”: best ruling.
Literal Meaning: “entering a ship of
Adramyttium” “Adramyttium” was a port on the west coast
of the province of Asia and it was on the east of Assos (See Acts. 20:13) and
on the southeast of Troas (See Acts. 20:5).
“Meaning to sail along the
coasts of Asia” It
indicates that this ship shall stop at all wharfs in the province of Asia in
order.
“We put to sea” Many Bible exegetes regarded
Paul’s being judged as his fourth journey which began with this verse and ended
in Acts. 28:31.
“Aristarchus
a Macedonian
of Thessalonica
was with us” “Aristarchus” accompanied Paul in Ephesus
and he was arrested with Gaius by mobs and almost lost his life (Acts. 19:29).
Later he accompanied Paul to send the contributions to Jerusalem (Acts. 20:4).
Then he accompanied Paul to Rome and did not depart from him (Col. 4:10;
Philem. 24).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is good that Christians go with
each other
especially for the work and witness of the Lord. There must be of
great effect that we complement each other and take care of each other.
2) Luke and Aristarchus accompanied the imprisoned Paul
voluntarily and took care of him along the way. It is the expression of the
brotherly love. Only those who truly love brothers are able to surrender
themselves for the brother and accompany him to suffer.
Acts. 27:3 “And the next day we
landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to
his friends and receive care.”
YLT: “on the next [day] also we touched at
Sidon
and Julius
courteously treating Paul
did permit [him]
having gone on
unto friends
to receive [their] care.”
Meaning of Words: “Sidon”: fishing
hunting;
“treat…kindly”: treat…humanely
courteously; “care”: care
kind attention
refreshing.
Literal Meaning: “And the next day we landed
at Sidon”
“Sidon” was about one hundred and ten kilometers away from the north of
Caesarea and one day was needed to go there by ship.
“And gave him liberty to go
to his friends”
“Friends” refer to those they knew each other and had communion with each
other. There is a definite article here in the original and therefore his
friends specially refer to the Christian friends (3John. 15). The ship had
moored at the coast
however
prisoners always had to stay in the ship for
supervision. It was the special treatment that Paul was given liberty to go
ashore to meet believers.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “And Julius treated Paul
kindly”
Certainly God made Julius treat Paul in this way. It shows us that all things
work together for good to those who love God (Rom. 8:28).
2) The unbelieving Gentiles even treat
Christians kindly and Christians who are all of God should treat each other
kindly and should never “begin to smite the fellow-servants” (Matt. 24:49).
Acts. 27:4 “When we had put to sea
from there
we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus
because the winds were
contrary.”
YLT: “And thence
having set sail
we sailed
under Cyprus
because of the winds being contrary
”
Meaning of Words: “Cyprus”: beauty
justice
love
a flower.
Literal Meaning: “because the winds were
contrary” They
ship sailed to the west from Palestine to Italy and the west or the northwest
wind blew in the summer and autumn in the Mediterranean Sea. It is unfavorable
for the ships to head west.
“We sailed under the shelter
of Cyprus”
“Cyprus” was a big island in the east of the Mediterranean Sea and it was on
the way from Palestine to Asia. “Shelter” was the northeastern seacoast of the
island and there were cliffs that blanked the strong blow of the west winds.
“Sail” shows that they sailed to the north along the eastern coast of Cyprus
and then they sailed to the west along the north coast.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is of the will of God that Paul
went to Rome to bear witness to the Lord before the king (Acts. 23:11; 9:15).
It is supposed to be smooth without a hitch
however
the fact is that they
encountered the contrary wind when they began to sail. It shows that it is
uncertain that in the will of God there will be the smooth environments.
2) The life of Christians is just like
sailing in the sea. We always “toil in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto
us” (Mark. 6:48). However
the Lord remembers us and makes intercession for us
(Heb. 7:25). And therefore though we have tribulation in the world
we have
peace in the Lord (John. 16:33).
Acts. 27:5 “And when we had sailed
over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia
we came to Myra
a city of
Lycia.”
YLT: “and having sailed over the sea
over-against Cilicia and Pamphylia
we came to Myria of Lycia
”
Meaning of Words: “Cilicia”: roll
fabric of hair;
“Pamphylia”: heterogeneousness of races;
“Lycia”: wolf; “Myra”: cry
the juice of myrtle.
Literal Meaning: “when we had sailed over
the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia” “Cilicia” and “Pamphylia” were two
smaller provinces in southeast of the province of Asia that were next to the
Mediterranean Sea.
“We came to Myra
a city of
Lycia”
“Lycia” was a small province in the south of the province of Asia. “Myra” was
an important center in the maritime traffic and it was an important harbor that
the Egyptian ships which carried food to Rome must pass through. Since they
passed Myra from Egypt to Rome
they detoured because the west wind always blew
in the Mediterranean Sea and the ships cannot directly sail to the northwest.
And therefore they sailed to the north by the way of Myra and then turned to
the west along the coast.
Acts. 27:6 “There the centurion
found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy
and he put us on board.”
YLT: “and there the centurion having found a
ship of Alexandria
sailing to Italy
did put us into it
”
Meaning of Words: “Alexandrian”: protector of men.
Literal Meaning: “found an Alexandrian ship” “Alexandrian” was the main harbor in Egypt.
At that time Egypt was the biggest barn in the Roman Emperor and therefore
there were always ships sailing from Alexandrian to Rome. In addition
the ships for
the transportation of wheat between the two places belonged to the national organizations
and therefore the ships were also used to send public servants.
Acts. 27:7 “When we had sailed
slowly many days
and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus
the wind not
permitting us to proceed
we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.”
YLT: “and having sailed slowly many days
and with difficulty coming over-against Cnidus
the wind not suffering us
we
sailed under Crete
over-against Salmone
”
Meaning of Words: “Cnidus”: age
era
exacerbation; “Crete”: fleshly; “Salmone”: in clothes
because of the
undulation.
Literal Meaning: “and arrived with
difficulty off Cnidus”
“Cnidus” was in the end of the southwest strait in the Asia Minor.
“We sailed under the shelter
of Crete”
“Crete” was a big island between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It
was as long as two hundred and sixty kilometers from east to west. And its
widest place from north to south was only about fifty kilometers. “The shelter”
refers to the east and south coast of the island.
“Off Salmone” “Salmone” was the strait in the
northeast of Crete Island which extended into the sea. They sailed to the south
along the eastern coast of Crete and then sailed to the west along the south
coast.
Acts. 27:8 “Passing it with
difficulty
we came to a place called Fair Havens
near the city of Lasea.”
YLT: “and hardly passing it
we came to a
certain place called `Fair Havens
' nigh to which was the city [of] Lasaea.”
Meaning of Words: “Fair Havens”: good harbor
good
shelter; “Lasea”: the root of ignorance
disorderly.
Literal Meaning: “Passing it” indicates that they
sailed to the west along the southern coast.
“With difficulty
we came to a
place” “With difficulty” describes
the difficulty of the sail because there were many reefs along the coast in
that area.
“Called Fair Havens” “Fair Havens” was a
bay in the middle of the southern coast of Crete. It was not suitable for ships
to anchor or winter (See v.12).
“Near the city of Lasea” Lasea was about ten kilometers
away from Fair Havens and the old city now had become ruins.
Acts. 27:9 “Now when much time had
been spent
and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over
Paul advised them
”
YLT: “And much time being spent
and the
sailing being now dangerous -- because of the fast also being already past --
Paul was admonishing
”
Literal Meaning: “because the Fast was
already over” “The
Fast” refers to the day
of the atonement and it was on July 10th in the Jewish calendar
(Lev. 16:29; 23:27). It was about the last third part of September or the
second part of October in the solar calendar. Under common conditions
the
storm in the Mediterranean Sea increased from the second part of September and
therefore the danger increased. After Number 11th
the sail over the
high seas paused completely in the whole winter.
“And sailing was now
dangerous” At
that time
common people held that the safe period of sail in the Mediterranean
Sea was before the second part of September in the solar calendar.
“Paul advised them” “Advised” in the original includes
warning.
Acts. 27:10 “saying
‘Men
I perceive that this
voyage will end with disaster and much loss
not only of the cargo and ship
but also our lives.’”
YLT: “saying to them
`Men
I perceive that
with hurt
and much damage
not only of the lading and of the ship
but also of
our lives -- the voyage is about to be;'”
Literal Meaning: Paul said so in this verse
probably according to his acute sense of the Spirit besides his experience of
much sail in the Mediterranean Sea and he clearly knew God’s revelation and
guidance (See v.23-26).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If one believer has truly understood
the guidance of God in the Spirit
he is able to make the prediction with
warning to those who are around him. However
we should never speak without a
well-defined object in mind and prophesy randomly
lest we humiliate the name
of the Lord.
2) Today some false prophets do not
have God’s revelation and predict boldly
exaggerate things just to scare
people and deceive many believers according to their own opinions. God shall
avenge on them.
3) If we want to have the same
spiritual consciousness as Paul had
we need to draw near to God more and do
exercise of godliness more than the bodily exercise daily (1Tim. 4:8).
Acts. 27:11 “Nevertheless the
centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by
the things spoken by Paul.”
YLT: “but the centurion to the pilot and to
the shipowner gave credence more than to the things spoken by Paul;”
Meaning of Words: “was persuaded”: trust
be
convinced; “the helmsman”: steersman; “the owner of the ship”: captain.
Literal Meaning: “Nevertheless the centurion
was more persuaded by the helmsman” “The centurion” was the senior official in the boat and therefore he
made the final decision. Here he trusted in the opinion of the old hand at
sailing more than that of Paul.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The world values the experience
because experience is the knowledge accumulated by many successes and failures
and the experience could provide men the basis on which they decide and walk.
However
we Christians rely on the Lord of experience more than experience. We
could do nothing without Him (John. 15:5).
2) When we Christians walk
we should
seek the Lord and rely on the Lord’s words by faith more than relying on
experience. The Lord’s words are above the experience and the Lord’s presence
is indeed above the smoothness of the things.
Acts. 27:12 “And because the harbor
was not suitable to winter in
the majority advised to set sail from there
also
if by any means they could reach Phoenix
a harbor of Crete opening
toward the southwest and northwest
and winter there.”
YLT: “and the haven being incommodious to
winter in
the more part gave counsel to sail thence also
if by any means they
might be able
having attained to Phenice
[there] to winter
[which is] a
haven of Crete
looking to the south-west and north-west
”
Meaning of Words: “Phoenix”: palm.
Literal Meaning: “Phoenix
a harbor of Crete” Concerning where Crete exactly
was
the Bible exegetes had two kinds of statements: 1) it was the present
Phoenix which was on the southwest coast of Crete Island and Clauda Island was in the southwest of
it (See v.16). However
the terrain of its seaport was not like what was
recorded in this verse; 2) it was another port Porto Loutro which was next to
Phoenix and Clauda Island was in the south of it. The terrain of its seaport
was just like what was recorded in this verse.
“Opening toward the
southwest and northwest” is
“opening toward the northeast and southeast” in the Chinese union version. And
its terrain was just like what was recorded in the Chinese union version. And
therefore the author should mean “with the southwest and northwest wind” and
some people suggested translating this sentence into “under the southwest and
northwest wind”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Because the harbor was not
suitable to winter in” Men
always lay the Lord aside because they pursuit the ease of life. The richer one
is
the further he may depart from the Lord.
2) The affairs in the church are
decided by the will of the Lord instead of how “the majority” advised. When we
serve the Lord
we do not seek to please men but seek to please the Lord (Gal.
1:10).
3) The one who serves the Lord faithfully
would rather be like Paul who was turned away by all those who were in Asia
(2Tim. 1:15) than disobey the will of the Lord
until he meets the countenance
of the Lord (2Tim. 4:7-8).
4) When things are decided in the
church
it is neither according to “democracy” nor by “despotism” but by
“giving priority to the will of God”. May we all respect God more than
everything.
Acts. 27:13 “When the south wind blew
softly
supposing that they had obtained their desire
putting out to sea
they
sailed close by Crete.”
YLT: “and a south wind blowing softly
having thought they had obtained [their] purpose
having lifted anchor
they
sailed close by Crete
”
Literal Meaning: “When the south wind blew
softly” “The
south wind” is convenient for them to navigate.
“They sailed close by Crete” It means that they sailed to
the southwest.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “When the south wind blew
softly
supposing that they had obtained their desire.” The ignorant ones regard the
smoothness of the environments as “having obtained their desire”
however
we
believers regard the Lord’s smiling countenance that is above the environments
as “having obtained our desire”.
2) Those who walk by the environments
always “suppose that they have obtained their desire” and then turn to be
“disappointed”.
Acts. 27:14 “But not long after
a
tempestuous head wind arose
called Euroclydon.”
YLT: “and not long after there arose against
it a tempestuous wind
that is called Euroclydon
”
Meaning of Words: “a tempestuous head wind”: a storm
hurricane; “Euroclydon”: a storm from the East;
northeasterly wind.
Literal Meaning: “called Euroclydon” “Euro” was the Greek and it
means “the east wind”. “Clydon” was Latin and it means “the north wind”. When
the two words are united together
it means “the northeasterly wind”. At that
time
if the boat which sailed by the power of the wind encountered such wind
the boat would always be turned over or got around.
Acts. 27:15 “So when the ship was
caught
and could not head into the wind
we let her drive.”
YLT: “and the ship being caught
and not
being able to bear up against the wind
having given [her] up
we were borne
on
”
Meaning of Words: “caught”: seize
snatch; “could not head”: not being able to bear up;
“let her drive”: be carried
be driven.
Acts. 27:16 “And running under the
shelter of an island called Clauda
we secured the skiff with difficulty.”
YLT: “and having run under a certain little
isle
called Clauda
we were hardly able to become masters of the boat
”
Meaning of Words: “Clauda”: mournful.
Literal Meaning: “an island called Clauda” “Clauda” Island was a small
island and it was about forty kilometers away in the south of the western end
of Crete the great island.
“We secured the skiff with
difficulty” “The
skiff” is the traffic tool for short distance when the big boat anchors along
the shore and it is the lifeboat when the big boat goes to sea. When the wind
and waves are not great
it is linked to the stern with rope and it is dragged
on the water surface. In great winds
the skiff has to be secured to the big
boat
lest the big boat and the skiff hit each other and the skill hit the big
boat to leave or the skiff be hit into ruins by the big boat.
“With difficulty” in the original means that
“they made great effort and with difficulty…” “Secured” indicates that they
pulled the skiff and linked it to the deck or the edge of the boat.
The word “we” seemed to imply that Luke
the author also joined in securing the skiff.
Acts. 27:17 “When they had taken it
on board
they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should
run aground on the Syrtis Sands
they struck sail and so were driven.”
YLT: “which having taken up
they were using
helps
undergirding the ship
and fearing lest they may fall on the quicksand
having let down the mast -- so were borne on.”
Meaning of Words: “Syrtis”: quicksand
quick sand.
Literal Meaning: “they used cables to
undergird the ship”
“Cables” refer to the rough ropes that circle the hull. “To undergird the
ship” indicates that they used ropes
to circle the hull and bulge for several circles so that the hull would be
sturdier
lest the frame of the ship be loosed because it cannot bear the
attack of waves.
“And fearing lest they
should run aground on the Syrtis Sands
” “Syrtis” was in the southwest of
Crete Island and in the south end of the Mediterranean Sea. It was the shoal
close to North Africa Libya.
“They struck sail” They did so to decrease the
area that the wind blew so that they could decrease the speed that the boat
went forward. However
“sail” in the original means “instrument”. And therefore
some Bible exegetes held that this sentence could be translated into “lay down
the instrument of the boat” and it means to “transfer the weight of the things
that were not necessary in the top deck to the orlop deck”.
Acts. 27:18 “And because we were
exceedingly tempest-tossed
the next day they lightened the ship.”
YLT: “And we
being exceedingly
tempest-tossed
the succeeding [day] they were making a clearing
”
Literal Meaning: “they lightened the ship” We could image that what they
had abandoned was the goods. They did so to lighten the ship so that they could
control the boat more conveniently. The goods of the boat were mainly the food
provisions (See the note in v.6).
Acts. 27:19 “On the third day we
threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.”
YLT: “and on the third [day] with our own
hands the tackling of the ship we cast out
”
Meaning of Words: “tackle”: furniture
instrument.
Literal Meaning: “we threw the ship's tackle
overboard” “The ship's
tackle”
included the sail
mast
board
beam and others. The aim of throwing the goods
(See v.18) and tackle was to lighten the hull and decrease the ship’s draft.
Acts. 27:20 “Now when neither sun nor
stars appeared for many days
and no small tempest beat on us
all hope that we
would be saved was finally given up.”
YLT: “and neither sun nor stars appearing
for more days
and not a little tempest lying upon us
thenceforth all hope was
taken away of our being saved.”
Meaning of Words: “tempest”: rainstorm; “beat on”:
press hard
lie upon.
Literal Meaning: “Now when neither sun nor
stars appeared for many days” “Sun
and stars” was the only way by which the navigators counted where the boat was.
And therefore under such condition
they cannot measure the position and voyage
of the boat in the vast sea.
“All hope that we would be
saved was finally given up” Since
they cannot identify the position of the ship and were beaten on by the
tempest
the common people would be desperate under such condition.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul said that “our trouble which
came to us…that we were burdened beyond measure
above strength
so that we
despaired even of life. Yes
we had the sentence of death in ourselves
that we
should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2Cor. 1:8-9).
When the hope of the world is given up
everything is gone
however
we
Christians could still turn to God when all hope is given up.
2) “We are hard-pressed on every side
yet
not crushed; we are perplexed
but not in despair; persecuted
but not
forsaken; struck down
but not destroyed” (2Cor. 4:8-9).
Acts. 27:21 “But after
long abstinence from food
then Paul stood in the midst of them and said
‘Men
you should have
listened to me
and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and
loss.”
YLT: “And there having been long fasting
then Paul having stood in the midst of them
said
`It behoved [you]
indeed
O
men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete
and to save this
hurt and damage;”
Literal Meaning: “But after long abstinence
from food” There
were two reasons for long abstinence from food: 1) the wind and waves were so
great that they were greatly seasick and therefore they were unable to eat; 2)
the hope that they would be saved was finally given up and therefore they did
not have the mood to eat.
“Then Paul stood in the
midst of them” When
all the people in the boat were desperate
Paul stood up and gave them the
necessary courage. He was the high tower of strength for all the desperate
people in the boat.
“You should have listened to
me” Paul said so not to blame them
or gloat over their misfortune but to establish the authority of his words so
that all the people may be convinced of his following words.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The mood of the world is influenced
by the outer environments and they are depressed when the environments are bad
and they are even unable to eat. However
the peace in the hearts of Christians
is not influenced by the outer environments (John. 16:33).
2) When men are encountered with
disasters and are anxious
it is the time that Christians play the role of
“salt and light”. We should not have the wavy motion as the world and should surpass
the environments and then we are able to manifest the difference between
Christians and the world.
Acts. 27:22 “And now I urge you to
take heart
for there will be no loss of life among you
but only of the ship.”
YLT: “and now I exhort you to be of good
cheer
for there shall be no loss of life among you -- but of the ship;”
Meaning of Words: “urge”: admonish
exhort.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul is the example of everyone who
follows the Lord------he stood firmly when all the people were anxious.
2) The most useful men in the world are
those who are calm themselves and are able to give others the key of faith.
Acts. 27:23 “For there stood by me
this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve
”
YLT: “for there stood by me this night a
messenger of God -- whose I am
and whom I serve --”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since we believers belong to God
He
must be responsible for us and therefore we should set our mind at ease and
commit ourselves to God under every circumstance.
2) The angels are all ministering
spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (Heb.
1:14).
3) After the tempest and surge “for
many days” (See v.20)
God sent His angel to speak to Paul until “this night”.
However
he was able to keep his hearts calm in the tempest.
Acts. 27:24 “saying
"Do not be
afraid
Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you
all those who sail with you.'”
YLT: “saying
Be not afraid Paul; before
Caesar it behoveth thee to stand; and
lo
God hath granted to thee all those
sailing with thee;”
Literal Meaning: “you must be brought before
Caesar” It was
not sure he would stand before the Roman Emperor (Nero was the Emperor at that
time) and was judged by himself. Usually he was delivered to the court that was
appointed by the emperor for trial.
“And indeed God has granted
you all those who sail with you” It
implies that Paul prayed for the safety of all the people and received the
answer from God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The men that are around Christians
are of God’s arrangement and we should take the responsibility for preaching
the gospel to them.
2) The gospel overcomes in all
circumstances. God’s servants could bear witness in all circumstances because
God is with them.
3) All those who are saved through us
are counted in our account and it is the basis by which God rewards us.
4) God kept those who were with Paul
for the sake of Paul. Wherever we Christians are
we should be the key for
others to receive blessings.
Acts. 27:25 “Therefore take heart
men
for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”
YLT: “wherefore be of good cheer
men! for I
believe God
that so it shall be
even as it hath been spoken to me
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul’s words (See v.21-26) show his
manner of calms in facing danger and it is also the condition that the
spiritual leaders should have.
2) “It will be just as it was
told me”
because in the very heavens will He establish His faithfulness (Ps. 89:2).
3) God’s words are the root of our
faith (Rom. 10:14
17). And therefore we should let the word of God dwell in us
richly (Col. 3:16) and we are able to appropriate God’s words to strengthen our
faith when necessary.
4) The more words of God one has
the more
faith he will have. The less words of God one has
the less faith he will have.
Without the word of God
one won’t have faith.
5) For with God nothing shall be
impossible (Luke. 1:37). We should never hesitate to trust the word of God
because if we do not mix the word that we have heard with faith
the word that
we have heard will not profit us (Heb. 4:2).
6) The key of one’s being saved lies in
the reliance on God’s promise. If we make effort relying on our ways
it will
be in vain finally.
7) God comforts us in all our
tribulation
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble
with
the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2Cor. 1:4).
Acts. 27:26 “However
we must run
aground on a certain island.’”
YLT: “and on a certain island it behoveth us
to be cast.'”
Acts. 27:27 “Now when the fourteenth
night had come
as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea
about
midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.”
YLT: “And when the fourteenth night came --
we being borne up and down in the Adria -- toward the middle of the night the
sailors were supposing that some country drew nigh to them;”
Meaning of Words: “Adriatic”: without wood; “some land”: a
country.
Literal Meaning: “Now when the fourteenth
night had come” “The
fourteenth night” was counted from the day they departed from Fair Haven (See
v.8
12-13).
“As we were driven up and
down in the Adriatic Sea” “The Adriatic Sea” was the sea between Greek and
Italy and its area was bigger than Adriatic Sea today. The wide costal waters
to the median of the Mediterranean Sea to the south (i.e. from Grete to the
west to Sicily Island) were included. “Being driven up and down” in the
original means “carrying through”.
“The sailors sensed that they
were drawing near some land”
Probably the sailors could hear the waves lashing the hidden reefs indistinctly
and therefore they thought that they were close to some land.
Acts. 27:28 “And they took soundings
and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther
they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.”
YLT: “and having sounded they found twenty
fathoms
and having gone a little farther
and again having sounded
they found
fifteen fathoms
”
Literal Meaning: “And they took soundings” It means that they put the
plummet with rope into the sea in order to sound the depth of the water.
“And found it to be twenty
fathoms” It was
about thirty-seven meters.
“And found it to be fifteen
fathoms” It was
about twenty-eight meters.
Acts. 27:29 “Then
fearing lest we
should run aground on the rocks
they dropped four anchors from the stern
and
prayed for day to come.”
YLT: “and fearing lest on rough places we
may fall
out of the stern having cast four anchors
they were wishing day to
come.”
Literal Meaning: “they dropped four anchors
from the stern” They
did so in order to make the hull stable so that the stormy waves would not
press the boat to go forward wantonly. They dropped anchors from the stern
showing that the bow of the ship kept moving towards the coast.
Acts. 27:30 “And as the sailors were
seeking to escape from the ship
when they had let down the skiff into the sea
under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow
”
YLT: “And the sailors seeking to flee out of
the ship
and having let down the boat to the sea
in pretence as [if] out of
the foreship they are about to cast anchors
”
Literal Meaning: “And as the sailors were
seeking to escape from the ship”
Probably the sailors held that the boat cannot anchor to the port and it would
be struck to ruins sooner or later. And therefore they had better flee by skiff
firstly
lest they be implicated by so many passengers then. In this way
their
chance of survive would be greater.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The sailors only sought to keep
themselves and disregarded others’ life. However
Paul always minded the life
of all the people (See v.10
22
31
34). Christians live in the world for the
benefit of others (Pill. 1:24-25).
2) The heart is deceitful above all
things
and desperately wicked: who can know it (Jer. 17:9)? He that is
spiritual judges all things (1Cor. 2:15). We should pray to the Lord for giving
us the spiritual discernment.
3) “Under pretense of putting
out anchors from the prow” Some
people in the church also pretend to do something that benefits all the people
and actually they plan for themselves in their hearts. What’s the most
important for Christians before God is truth (John. 4:23-24). Once we are
hypocritical
actually we have fallen in the trap of the devil.
Acts. 27:31 “Paul said to
the centurion and the soldiers
‘Unless these men stay in the ship
you cannot be saved.’”
YLT: “Paul said to the centurion and to the
soldiers
`If these do not remain in the ship -- ye are not able to be saved;'”
Literal Meaning: “Unless these men stay in
the ship” If
there were not skilled sailors operating the ship in the sea
the ship cannot
approach to the land and they would sit still waiting for death.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul advised others to “take heart”
(See v.25) and he himself was not “careless”. And therefore he was able to
observe the bad intention of the sailors (See v.30) and took the way to avoid
the tragedy. The true reassurance of faith is not insouciance or idleness but
carefulness and being practical.
2) Christians’ “taking heart” is not
careful about our life and for the morrow
however
we should still be
sufficient to the day (Matt. 6:25
34) and be responsible for what we should
take charge of.
3) God had promised that there would be
no loss of life among men in the boat (See v.22-24)
however
it did not
indicate that we could do nothing and watch with folded arms. We need to use
our work of faith to cooperate with God’s promise and assurance.
Acts. 27:32 “Then the soldiers cut
away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.”
YLT: “then the soldiers did cut off the
ropes of the boat
and suffered it to fall off.”
Literal Meaning: “the soldiers cut away the
ropes of the skiff” means
“cutting away the capstan that was used to lift and drop the skiff” so that the
skiff would not be connected with the boat. This behavior could prevent the
sailors from climbing to the skiff
however
it made it difficult for them to
go ashore.
Acts. 27:33 “And as day was about to
dawn
Paul implored them all to take food
saying
‘Today is the fourteenth
day you have waited and continued without food
and eaten nothing.”
YLT: “And till the day was about to be
Paul
was calling upon all to partake of nourishment
saying
`Fourteen days to-day
waiting
ye continue fasting
having taken nothing
”
Acts. 27:34 “Therefore I urge you to
take nourishment
for this is for your survival
since not a hair will fall
from the head of any of you.’”
YLT: “wherefore I call upon you to take
nourishment
for this is for your safety
for of not one of you shall a hair
from the head fall;'”
Literal Meaning: “Therefore I urge you to
take nourishment
for this is for your survival” Taking nourishment gives men strength
to deal with the dangerous environments and swim to the shore (See v.40-44).
And therefore “taking nourishment” was closely related to their “survival”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians should not ignore their
normal food and drink and “taking nourishment” is to keep their life healthy so
as to serve the Lord well.
2) May all believers prosper and be in
health
even as their soul prospers (3John. 2).
Acts. 27:35 “And when he had said
these things
he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all;
and when he had broken it he began to eat.”
YLT: “and having said these things
and
having taken bread
he gave thanks to God before all
and having broken [it]
he began to eat;”
Enlightenment
in the Word: Paul’s example shows us that food is
gifted by God and therefore we should receive it with thanksgiving (1Tim.
4:3-4).
Acts. 27:36 “Then they were all
encouraged
and also took food themselves.”
YLT: “and all having become of good cheer
themselves also took food
”
Acts. 27:37 “And in all we were two
hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.”
YLT: “(and we were -- all the souls in the
ship -- two hundred
seventy and six)
”
Meaning of Words: “persons”: souls.
Acts. 27:38 “So when they had eaten
enough
they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.”
YLT: “and having eaten sufficient
nourishment
they were lightening the ship
casting forth the wheat into the
sea.”
Literal Meaning: “and threw out the wheat
into the sea” “The
wheat” was the grain that they kept for their provisions and it was different
from the goods that they threw away (See v.18) and the goods were the food
provisions sent to Italy (See the note in v.6).
“They lightened the ship” The lighter the boat was
the
easier it was for men to pull it to shore.
Acts. 27:39 “When it was day
they
did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach
onto which
they planned to run the ship if possible.”
YLT: “And when the day came
they were not
discerning the land
but a certain creek were perceiving having a beach
into
which they took counsel
if possible
to thrust forward the ship
”
Acts. 27:40 “And they let go the
anchors and left them in the sea
meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they
hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.”
YLT: “and the anchors having taken up
they
were committing [it] to the sea
at the same time -- having loosed the bands of
the rudders
and having hoisted up the mainsail to the wind -- they were making
for the shore
”
Literal Meaning: “meanwhile loosing the
rudder ropes”
“Rudder” was always set on both sides of the stern and it was used to control
the direction of the sail. “Loosing the rudder ropes” means that they got back
the rudder to the stern so that the ship would sail to the shore.
“And they hoisted the
mainsail” “The
mainsail” refers to the small sail in the front-mast.
Acts. 27:41 “But striking
a place where two seas met
they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast
and remained immovable
but the stern was being broken up by the violence of
the waves.”
YLT: “and having fallen into a place of two
seas
they ran the ship aground
and the fore-part
indeed
having stuck fast
did remain immoveable
but the hinder-part was broken by the violence of the
waves.”
Meaning of Words: “stuck fast”: stick fast.
Literal Meaning: “But striking a place where
two seas met” It
refers to the cramped channel between two lands (islands). Whirlpools and
underflows are usually formed there because the seawater of two sides meets
there.
Acts. 27:42 “And the soldiers' plan
was to kill the prisoners
lest any of them should swim away and escape.”
YLT: “And the soldiers' counsel was that
they should kill the prisoners
lest any one having swam out should escape
”
The Background: it was ordered in the Roman law that if prisoners had gotten away
the
soldiers would take the punishment what the prisoners would take.
Acts. 27:43 “But the centurion
wanting to save Paul
kept them from their purpose
and commanded that those
who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land
”
YLT: “but the centurion
wishing to save
Paul
hindered them from the counsel
and did command those able to swim
having cast themselves out first -- to get unto the land
”
Enlightenment in the Word: God is my helper and what will
man do unto me (Heb. 13:6)?
Acts. 27:44 “and the rest
some on
boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped
safely to land.”
YLT: “and the rest
some indeed upon boards
and some upon certain things of the ship; and thus it came to pass that all
came safe unto the land.”
Literal Meaning: “some on boards and some on
parts of the ship” “Parts of the
ship” could refer to objects or
persons. The former refers to any parts or things that were of the ship that
could help men to float on the surface of the water. The latter indicates that
“they attached to some persons of the ship” and it means that those who were
unable to swim and did not have anything to rely on attached themselves to the
back of sailors and went ashore.
“They all escaped safely to
land” The “being saved” and “safely”
(See v.20
31
34
43) that were mentioned for several times in this chapter
refer to keeping their life (See v.10
22) instead of receiving the salvation
of soul.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Working out Your Own Salvation
I.
Believers are in the world just like sailing in the sea:
A. “We should sail to Italy”
(v.1)------reaching the destination is God’s appointed will (Acts. 23:11).
B. “The winds were contrary” (v.4)
“the
wind not permitting us” (v.7)
“a tempestuous head wind arose” (v.14)
“when
the ship was caught
and could not head into the wind
we let her drive”
(v.15)
“when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days
and no small
tempest beat on us
all hope that we would be saved was finally given up”
(v.20)------we have tribulation in the world (John. 16:33).
C. “With difficulty
we came to…” (v.8)
“we secured the skiff with difficulty” (v.16)------they toil in rowing (Mark.
6:48).
D. “All hope that we would be saved was
finally given up” (v.20)
“unless…you cannot be saved” (v.31)
“this is for
your survival” (v.34)
“and so it was that they all escaped safely to land”
(v.44)------believers’ spirirts have been saved
however
they still have to
experience the salvation in the environments (Pill. 1:19; 2Cor. 1:10).
II.
Believers’ principle of walking is different from that of the world:
A. “Men
I perceive that this voyage”
(v.10)
“when the south wind blew softly
supposing that they had obtained
their desire” (v.13)------believers have the spiritual sight and the world
walks by sight (2Cor. 5:7).
B. “I believe God that it will be just
as it was told me” (v.25)
“Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by
the helmsman and the owner of the ship” (v.11)------believers believe on God
and the world relies on men and experience.
III. The
reaction of the world when they are in the storm and tribulation:
A. “We sailed under the shelter” (v.4
7
16)------They resisted relying on the natural environments.
B. “The majority advised…”
(v.12)------They accepted the opinion of the majority.
C. “They used cables to undergird the
ship” (v.17a)------They firmed the equipments on which they rely to live.
D. “They struck sail and so were driven”
(v.17b)------They tried their best to avoid the wind.
E. “They lightened the ship”
(v.18)------When the tribulation hung over them
they knew that the property
was unreliable.
F. “We threw the ship's tackle overboard
with our own hands” (v.19)------They even gave up the tools by which they made
a living.
G. “After long abstinence from food”
(v.21)------They were anxious and had no appetite for food and drinks.
H. “The sailors were seeking to escape
from the ship” (v.30)
“and the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners”
(v.42)------They only took care of themselves and disregarded the safety of
others.
IV. The
example of believers in the storm and tribulation:
A. “I urge you to take heart”
(v.22)------he rested upon the Lord.
B. “The God to whom I belong and whom I
serve” (v.23)------he looked upon and held fast God.
C. “I believe God that it will be just
as it was told me” (v.25)------he received the word of God and mixed what he
had heard with faith (Heb. 4:2).
D. “Paul said to the centurion and the
soldiers
‘Unless these men stay in the ship
you cannot be saved.’”
(v.31)------he took the responsibility of a man and observed carefully in order
to assure the required conditions of existence.
E. “I urge you to take nourishment
for
this is for your survival” (v.34)------he took care of health (3John. 2).
F. “He gave thanks to God in the
presence of them all” (v.35)------he gave thanksgiving to God and gloried Him.
G. “The centurion
wanting to save Paul
kept them from their purpose” (v.43)------he experienced God’s care.
The Manifest Token that God Kept
His Servant
I. God
made him receive the care from companions and believers (v.2-3).
II. God
made him meet the centurion who treated him kindly (v.3
43).
III. God
gave him the foresight (v.10).
IV. God
sent angel to encourage him with words (v.23-24).
V. God
made him see through the intention of the sailors (v.30-32).
VI. God
made all men take food to refresh their hearts (v.33-36).
VII. God
gave him help timely in tribulation (v.42-43).
The Comparisons of the World and
the Spirit from Acts. 27
I. The
comparison of the carnal and the spiritual sight (v.9-12):
A. The carnal------they relied on
experience and the opinion of the majority.
B. The spiritual------they relied on the
consciousness in the Spirit.
II. The
comparison of the carnal and spiritual reaction to the environments (v.13
20-25):
A. The carnal------they were pleased
when the environments were good and were desperate when the environments were
bad.
B. The spiritual------they were calm
under all environments
set their mind at ease and trusted God’s words and were
able to encourage others.
III. The
comparisons of the carnal and spiritual ways (v.30-32):
A. The carnal------they were
hypocritical and only took care of themselves and disregarded others; they
would rather perish together than allow others to live.
B. The spiritual------he saw through the
evilness of men
however
he still relied on each other for support and survive
with them together.
IV. The
comparison of the carnal and spiritual attitude to food and drink (v.33-36):
A. The carnal------they eat for
enjoyment and once they met danger
they had no appetite to take food.
B. The spiritual------they eat for
health and thanked God every meal.
V. The comparison
of the carnal and spiritual way of keeping their life (v.43-44):
A. The carnal------they kept their life
by the swimming skill and tools.
B. The spiritual------he kept his life
by God’s care.
The Three Obstacles that
Christians should Break through
I.
Breaking through men’s opinions:
A. The centurion was more persuaded by
the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by Paul (v.11)------walking by
experience.
B. When the south wind blew softly
supposing that they had obtained their desire (v.13)------making decisions by
the present situation.
II.
Breaking through men’s fear:
A. A tempestuous head wind arose. So
when the ship was caught
and could not head into the wind (v.14-15)------being
afraid of the power that is impossible to resist.
B. Fearing lest they should run aground
on the sands (v.17)------being afraid of the sudden tribulation.
C. Neither sun nor stars appeared for
many days (v.20)------being afraid of the environments that we cannot control.
III.
Breaking through men’s ways:
A. “Sensing” (v.27)------guess.
B. “Fearing” (v.29)------anxiety.
C. “Seeking” (v.30)------plan.
D. “Under pretense of”
(v.30)------hypocrisy.
He was Saved from Nine “Death”s
I. He
was saved from “being drowned” (the tempest of sin) (v.14-20).
II. He
was saved from “desperation” (the disappointment and desperation) (v.20b).
III. He
was saved from “being frightened to death” (the threat of the devil)------“take
heart” (v.22
25
36).
IV. He
was saved from “being killed” (the scheme of the wicked) (v.30-31).
V. He
was saved from “being starved to death” (having waited and continued without
food
and eaten nothing) (v.21
33).
VI. He
was saved from “being struck to death” (a place where two seas met ------the
trade of the world) (v.41a).
VII. He
was saved from “being stuck to death” (the prow stuck fast and remained
immovable------in the dilemma) (v.41b).
VIII. He
was saved from “being killed” (the soldiers' plan was to kill the
prisoners------murder) (v.42).
IX. They
were saved from “being put to death” (if prisoners had escaped
the soldiers
would be put to death) (v.42).
The Attitude that Christians
should Have when Facing Trouble
I.
Toward God------trusting His faithfulness and great power (v.25).
II.
Toward men------urging
comforting and encouraging them (v.21-25
34-36).
III.
Toward himself------being calm and composed (v.21-36).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren