Page 131 - Acts Student Textbook

inherit" or "a lot" [klēros]), although the word could mean "ship owners" (cf. F. F. Bruce, The Book of
Acts, p. 507, quotes Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler, p. 324, who quotes Inscriptiones Graecae, 14.918).
Its use in the Koine Papyri is "captain." The exact difference between these two terms is uncertain
(cf. Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, vol. 1, p. 548 vs. Harold Moulton, The Analytical Greek
Lexicon Revised, p. 275), but probably on a ship of this size (Alexandrian grain ship) there were
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several levels of leaders, as well as regular sailors.”

How did the storm strike? (27:13-17)

A soft south wind blew, and they thought this was just what they were looking for, so they put out to
sea. They sailed close to the island, but before they could reach the desired harbor, they were
overtaken by a tempestuous wind named Euroclydon (or Euraquilo, which means “Northeaster”).
Some commentators believe this was a common storm pattern, named because it was observed
frequently. Obviously, it blew from east to west, since that is the direction it blew the ship. The ship
was caught in the wind and could not withstand it to go where the sailors wanted, so they let the
wind drive the ship. They managed to pass under the lee side of an island name Clauda (see map).
There they were able to take some safety precautions.

How effective was the storm? (27:18-20)

The storm was so violently terrible that the ship was exceedingly tossed. To fight the effects of the
wind and to keep the ship afloat, they began to throw out whatever they could to lighten the ship.
Eventually they even threw out the tackling (furniture— ASV footnote). However, v38 implies that
not all the cargo was cast overboard at this time. It is also unlikely that they threw out tackling that
would be essential to navigating the ship (cf. v40). In this way they proceeded for many days, the
weather so bad that they could not see the sun or the stars. In those days, this meant they had no
way to navigate or to discern their position. So they gave up hope saying, "all hope of our being
saved was gradually abandoned"(27:20-NASB). This sets the stage for Paul's encouragement based
on his previous vision (cf. vv. 21-26). Their resources were gone!

Luke says, "they had gone a long time without food" (27:21) There are at least three possible
meanings in relation to v. 33: (1) maybe they were seasick from the violent, protracted storm,
(2) they were praying and fasting for the religious purpose of being spared (i.e., pagan ritual, cf. v.
29), (3) they were so busy trying to save the ship, eating became a lesser issue. Finally, Paul stood up
and reminded them that they should have listened to him and stayed in Crete. Probably he did not
say this to “rub in it” and say, “I told you so.” More likely he hoped this would motivate them to
realize they should listen to what he had to say now.

God’s Word believed (27:22-41)

What encouragement did Paul give to everyone on board? (27:22-24)

Paul encouraged them to cheer up because, though the ship would be lost, there would be no loss of
life. He affirmed that an angel had appeared to him to give him this information. He said that Paul
would still appear before Caesar, and God had determined to spare everyone with him on the ship.
God had previously said that Paul must (dei) witness in Rome before his governmental and military
leaders. (cf. 23:11), so his life must be spared. But here God promised to spare the others too.
Normally the prediction of the loss of the ship would be a great tragedy, but in this case it was a
small thing compared to what could have happened. This prediction was not speculation or human
opinion but an express prediction by God through an angel. Note that Paul described God as the God

88 Uttly, (27:11).
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