Acts 27:37-44

CRITICAL REMARKS

Acts 27:38. They lightened the ship.—For the third time (see Acts 27:18). Either because of its sinking condition, or because they wished it to get nearer shore. What they threw out was the wheat, τὸν σῖτον. Either

(1) the ship’s provisions (Alford, Plumptre, Holtzmann, Hausrath) which were now no longer needed—against this has been urged that by this time these must have been so reduced as to make little difference to the load (Smith), though it must not be overlooked that for the past fourteen days these provisions had been barely touched; or
(2) the remainder of the ship’s cargo (Smith, Conybeare and Howson, Zöckler).

Acts 27:39. A certain creek with a shore, or bay with a beach, as distinguished from the island in the middle of the sea (ver, 16). St Paul’s Bay, supposed to be here referred to, “is situated at the north-west extremity of the island of Malta, and is formed by the main shore on the south and the island of Salmonetta on the north” (Hackett). They were minded.—Better, they took counsel.

Acts 27:40. They committed themselves should be the anchors unto the sea.—Having no time to haul in the anchors, the sailors cut the ropes and abandoned them. The mainsail, ὁ� is considered a wrong translation by nautical authorities, who substitute for it the foresail—i.e., the sail attached to the mast nearest the prow.

Acts 27:41. A place where two seas met was probably the channel between the smaller Salmonetta and the larger Malta (Smith). The sea flowing in from both sides would create a sand-or mud-bank, upon which the vessel ran aground before reaching the beach.

Acts 27:42. The inhuman proposal of this verse, which proceeded from the soldiers, because they were, in a measure, answerable for the safety of the prisoners, could only be equalled by its base ingratitude, since it involved the killing of Paul, to whom they had already more than once owed their lives.

Acts 27:43. Willing should be wishing to save Paul.—This clause shows the impression made by Paul upon his keeper, but need not, on that account, have been a later interpolation (Zeller). Should cast themselves first into the sea should be having cast themselves overboard (from the ship, ἀπὸ) should go forth first (ἐκ, from the sea) upon the land.—This would enable them to assist the others, and prevent the escape of the prisoners.

Acts 27:44. It is a comfort to know that Baur and Weizsäcker recognise the historical credibility of this chapter. “Although here and there betraying another hand,” says the former, “it is for the most part authentic;” the latter adds, “with this section we tread the firm ground of history”; “here everything is fresh, simple and natural, and reported with a skilful pen.”

HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.—Acts 27:37

Running Ashore; or, Escaping Safe to Land

I. Preparing the ship.—After all on board, following Paul’s example, and doubtless comforted by Paul’s assurance of safety, had partaken of food, they commenced to make ready for the work which lay before them of beaching their vessel. In order either to keep it afloat or to enable it to run as far in towards the shore as possible, they, for the third time, lightened it, by casting overboard the wheat, by which must be understood either the ship’s provisions, which would be no more needed, or the ship’s cargo (or what remained of it) which, in any case, would be damaged and rendered practically worthless, if it was not totally lost. (See “Critical Remarks.”)

II. Selecting a place.—This was found in a certain bay which the morning light revealed, but which they did not recognise, on account of its not being the usual spot for landing at Melita. It had a beach of sand, which made it look a promising locality in which to land their disabled craft. Selecting a spot where two opposite currents appeared to meet, they resolved at that point to make the attempt, in which, however, they were not certain of succeeding. Hence the clause “if it were possible” (A.V.), or as it is in the R.V., “they took counsel whether.” The bay is believed to have been St. Paul’s bay, on the northern extremity of Malta, in front of which lay the small island of Salmonetta (see “Critical Remarks”).

III. Running ashore.—First, the four anchors having been cast off, because, in all probability, the sailors could not afford the time necessary to take them up, were left in the sea. Next, the rudder bands were loosed—i.e., the lashings with which they had been secured were untied. Then, hoisting up the foresail, the seamen made for the beach. Passing the island of Salmonetta, and observing the water behind they ran the ship in that direction. In a sandbank, most likely caused by the meeting of counter currents, the forepart of the vessel stuck in the ground, while the stern continued to be lashed by the waves.

“She struck where the white and fleecy waves

Looked soft as the carded wool;

But the cruel rocks, they gored her side

Like the horns of an angry bull.”

Longfellow.

IV. Escaping to land.—

1. The counsel of the soldiers was inhuman, that the prisoners should be killed, in case they should escape. Even if explainable by the terrible responsibility which attached to soldiers entrusted with the safe keeping of prisoners (compare Acts 12:19; Acts 16:27), it was a gruesome proposal, which might have been carried out had not Julius interposed.

2. The suggestion of the centurion was generous. Dictated, if not by humanity, by a desire to protect Paul, it served to show the influence Paul’s personality had begun to exercise upon his mind. One cannot help recalling here that it was a Roman centurion who recognised the superhuman majesty of Paul’s Master (Matthew 27:54). The course recommended by Julius was that those among the soldiers who could swim should cast themselves overboard and get first to land—in which case they could both look after the prisoners as they arrived upon the beach, and extend a helping hand to any of the passengers that might need their aid.

3. The escape of the others was accomplished with difficulty. The ship, unable to resist the storm, fell to pieces. Those on board were driven to save themselves as best they could. Happily, by means of planks of wood and broken pieces of the ship, this was effected. Not with comfort or with ease, but with complete bodily safety, all contrived to reach the land

Learn—

1. That God helps those who help themselves. Though Paul had assured his fellow-voyagers that their lives would be spared, it was needful that they should take every precaution against their lives’ loss.
2. That—

“Man’s inhumanity to man

Makes countless thousands mourn.”

The barbarous proposal of the soldiers to kill the prisoners was even worse than the attempt of the sailors to desert the ship.

3. That the silent influence for good of a good man is often all the greater that it is unconsciously exercised. Paul’s presence on board that ship saved the prisoners from a bloody death.
4. That God can always find means to fulfil His promises. He had promised that not a life on board that ship should be lost, and so it came to pass that they all escaped safe to land.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Acts 27:37. A Great Ship’s Company.—Two hundred threescore and sixteen souls—

I. Exposed to a common peril.—That of foundering in mid ocean.

II. Inspired by a common hope (Acts 27:34).—That of ultimate safety.

III. Engaged in a common work (Acts 27:38).—That of self-preservation.

IV. Partakers of a common mercy (Acts 27:44).—That of final deliverance.

Acts 27:42. The Soldiers’ Counsel.

I. A proposal of truculent barbarity.

II. An example of base ingratitude.

III. An instance of heartless selfishness.

Acts 27:44. The Voyage of the Church of Jesus Christ. Like that of Paul’s ship in respect of five things.

I. The stormy sea over which it sails.

II. The fierce and sudden hurricanes it encounters.

III. The unknown country which it nears.

IV. The mixed company which it bears along.

V. The ultimate safety to which it reaches.

Or, thus:—

The Barque of the Church Compared to Paul’s Ship.

I. Its dangers.—

1. Contrary winds (Acts 27:4; Acts 27:14).

2. Foolish guides (Acts 27:11).

3. Superfluous possessions (Acts 27:18).

4. Disunited associates (Acts 27:30; Acts 27:42).

5. Concealed rocks (Acts 27:39; Acts 27:41).

II. Its means of help.—

1. The testimony of pious teachers (Acts 27:9; Acts 27:21).

2. The prophecies of the Divine word (Acts 27:23).

3. The comforts of the holy sacraments (Acts 27:35).

4. The blessing of believing prayer (Acts 27:35).

5. The rescuing hand of the Almighty (Acts 27:24; Acts 27:34; Acts 27:44).—Gerok in Lange.

Or, thus:—

I. The conflict of the ship with the elements.—Winds and waves (Acts 27:14).

II. The exertions of the sailors.—They undergird the ship and cast the furniture into the sea (Acts 27:16).

III. The apparent hopelessness of safety.—Through the leaking of the ship (Acts 27:20).

IV. The wonderful rescue.—Paul’s exhortation and God’s aid (Acts 27:33).—Lisco.

The Voyage of Life.

I. The setting out.—

1. The various changes of surrounding objects (Acts 27:1; Acts 27:4).

2. The friendships (Acts 27:3).

3. The first clouds in the heavens (Acts 27:9).

II. Fear and hope.—

1. The fear of unbelief (Acts 27:16).

2. The confidence of faith (Acts 27:21).

III. The contest with adversities.—

1. Trouble discloses hearts (Acts 27:27).

2. Trouble leads to God (Acts 27:33).

IV. The haven of rest.—

1. The shipwreck and the billows of death (Acts 27:39).

2. The rescue and the landing on the unknown land of rest (Acts 27:44)—Lisco.

Acts 27:44. “And so it came to pass”; or, thoughts concerning providence and grace.—Human life often likened to a voyage: “Ask what is human life,” etc. (Cowper’s Hope, 1–6). Paul’s ship an emblem of the Church, whose members are sure of everlasting safety. The safety of Paul’s ship’s company came to pass.

I. In accordance with the Divine purpose and plan.—Twice over was this announced to Paul by God and by Paul to his fellow-voyagers (Acts 27:22; Acts 27:34). Not a life would be lost, not a hair of their head would perish. So—

1. In providence, everything comes to pass in accordance with the same Divine plan and purpose. “He doeth according to His will,” etc., said Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:35). “He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will,” says Paul (Ephesians 1:11). “My counsel shall stand, and I shall do all My pleasure,” adds Jehovah (Isaiah 46:10). It is not conceivable that any event should occur outside and beyond God’s fore-knowledge and fore-ordination (see on Acts 2:23). And—

2. In grace. The salvation of believers occurs in accordance with the same Divine purpose and plan. They are chosen, called, sanctified, and saved, by sovereign grace (Acts 13:48; Acts 22:14; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). It is not supposable that God does not know beforehand what the issues will be of His own scheme of redeeming grace.

II. In spite of every obstacle or hindrance. At least four things threatened to defeat the Divine purpose to save Paul and his fellow-voyagers:

1. The severity of the storm.
2. The attempted desertion of the sailors.
3. The inhuman proposal of the soldiers.
4. The breaking up of the vessel. Nevertheless it came to pass that all escaped safe to land. So again—
1. In providence, the Divine purpose may seem to be, and may actually be, opposed by similar forces. Take, for instance, the determination to settle Abraham’s descendants in Canaan. Notwithstanding their descent into Egypt and enslavement there, the turning away from them of the royal favour, the inhuman edict that their children should be cast into the Nile, the failure of Moses’s first attempt at their liberation, the general breaking down of their national spirit, their occupation of Egypt became, in God’s time, an accomplished fact.

2. In grace, nothing can prevent the ultimate salvation of Christ’s people—neither the ills or calamities of time nor the falling away of professed disciples, nor the remains of indwelling corruption in the hearts of sincere disciples, nor the breaking up of ecclesiastical institutions; in short, nothing and no one will be able to separate them from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus their Lord (Romans 8:38).

III. Through the use of means.—Paul and his fellow-voyagers had to use means in order to effect their preservation. Even after they had been assured that not a life would be lost they had, in a manner, to work out their own deliverance, by lightening the ship, running her ashore, and either swimming to land or getting ashore on planks or broken pieces of the ship. So—

1. In providence, the Divine plans and purposes are carried out through the employment of ordinary means wielded by man’s intelligence. And equally—

2. In grace, the salvation of believers is effected, not without, but with and by means of, their own co-operation, their ultimate attainment to eternal life and glory being accomplished through their abiding in Christ, following holiness, and generally working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Acts 27:1. (On the whole chapter.) Paul and His Fellow Voyagers—a Comparison and a Contrast.

I. The comparison.—

1. Partakers of a common humanity.

2. Bound for a common port.

3. Exposed to a common peril.

4. Subjects of a common deliverance.

II. The contrast.—

1. Grace and nature. With the exception of Luke and Aristarchus, Paul was probably the only Christian among them.

2. Sagacity and dulness. Paul’s forecast of the storm, and the want of insight on the part of the centurion, the owner, the pilot and crew (Acts 27:9).

3. Faith and unbelief. Paul’s confidence that no lives would be lost: their doubt of the correctness of this assertion (Acts 27:22).

3. Courage and despair. Paul’s intrepidity throughout: their universal faintheartedness (Acts 27:31).

4. Piety and wickedness. Paul’s prayers for (Acts 27:24), and exhortations to (Acts 27:25; Acts 27:33) them; the baseness of the sailors (Acts 27:30), and the inhumanity of the soldiers (Acts 27:42).

III. The conclusion.

1. That all are not alike because they happen to sail in the same boat.
2. That common experiences do not always produce on different men the same effects.
3. That circumstances which call forth the nobility of the good frequently serve to evoke the meanness of the base.
4. That goodness makes the best leaders of men.