Acts 27:43. The centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose. This is singularly true to the spirit of the whole course of the narrative. We have here a new indication of the charm and power which St. Paul exercised over the minds of those with whom he came in contact. It seems that Julius was very willing that the other prisoners should have been killed, but he wished to secure the safety of Paul (διασω ͂ σαι το ̀ ν Παυ ͂ λον) Thus the other prisoners owed their lives to the apostle. It is possible, indeed, that the centurion was more sanguine than the soldiers were of the probability of their lives being saved; but this would be only another proof of the influence gained over him by the apostle.

Commanded. This military order may have been of great importance at this moment of hesitation, when many may have feared to go through the breakers, and try to ‘get to land.'

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Old Testament