Acts 27:1-22

(Acts 27: 1-22)

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. 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. 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. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 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; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 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. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.  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. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.  But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.  And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:  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.  And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.  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. 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.  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.

 

The apostles Paul and Luke were destined for Rome by boat, and Julio the centurion was in charge of the convoy of them and other prisoners. Perhaps Luke, who was a doctor, was needed by Paul, who was aging and sick, was accompanied by him. In addition to the two of them on this long and difficult voyage, Arris, the Thessalonian of Macedonians, was also joined. Centurion Julio shows kindness to Paul, and then goes to a place called a beautiful port to go to Rome through several ports. However, because winter was approaching after the Jewish Atonement Day, marked as the fasting season in September or October at that time, Paul recommended the centurion Julio.

 

『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. 』Paul, who had already experienced several shipwrecks, knew that when winter came after the fasting season, the winds and waves would become stronger, and a great storm could be encountered in the voyage, so Paul recognized the dangers of unreasonable sailing, Would recommend. Unfortunately, however, the centurion listened more to the captain and the shipowner than to Paul's counsel. The port where Paul recommended that it be better to stay and go after winter was a relatively small port to spend the winter, and because there were more people asking to go to the port of Crete, called Boenix, to spend the winter, the centurion said Paul said. Rather than listening to them, they make decisions based on the words of the captain and ship owner.

 

And despite the impending winter, the south wind blew smoothly, and sailing began smoothly. This ship must have been quite large, as it is believed to be a ship carrying grain from Egypt to Rome, full of grain. The big ship started sailing smoothly. However, not long after, there was a big blast called Yuragulo. In the midst of a crisis due to tremendous waves and frenzied winds that could not even be compared to the size of the ship, the crew barely pulled up a rescue boat in the form of a small barge called a barge hung by or behind the ship. And they wind it up with a rope around a ship that's likely to break in a storm,To prevent the ship from getting caught in the sandbar and stranded, they lowered their tools, and the ship was pushed around by the wind.

 

However, the next day, the storm did not calm down, so the sailors began tossing the ship's luggage into the sea. And on the next day, the third day, they even dumped the ship's equipment with their hands. Still, the situation did not improve. It worsened, and even for many days, there was no separate sight, and a great storm was still there, and even the remaining hope of salvation disappeared, leaving the situation exhausted. Not only were they unable to eat or drink for many days, but also rolled back and forth in the storm and exhausted, so those in the boat could not even expect to return to life.

 

By the way, then Paul arose among the people. In the midst of a frenzy, Paul conveyed words of reassurance and hope to those who had lost hope because they were caught in fear and anxiety because they couldn't see a point ahead. 『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. 』Paul is with him in the midst of the storm and preached the word of God who guides his life, and they restored comfort, faith, and peace. 『For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.』In fear of all, the life of Paul, who possessed boldness, could only be enjoyed through deep fellowship with Jesus.