Page 132 - Acts Student Textbook

he belonged to. The expression “God has granted you” may imply that this outcome was an answer
to prayers Paul had offered. In any case, it is clear that all people on board were blessed by the
presence of a servant of God. Some worldly people dislike even being around Christians, but often
the presence of God’s people is what motivates God to protect others even who do not serve Him.
This is unappreciated today.

Paul said, "for I believe God". Paul's encounter with the living Christ enabled him to trust God's word
("it will turn out exactly as I have been told" PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE). Faith is the hand that
receives the gifts of God—not only salvation, but providence.

What near future prediction did Paul give the people on board to give them confidence in God?
(27:25,26)

Paul had confidence that this prediction would come true, because he believed that God’s word
would always come true. Nevertheless, he warned them that they would run aground on an island.
Like other prophecies, this one would serve to give the unbelievers reason to believe in the true God
whom Paul worshiped. It gave them confidence in the meanwhile; but later when it came true, it
would also give them reason to believe.

How was the soldiers’ attitude toward Paul’s words onward? (27:27-32)

The sailors then determined to abandon the ship and seek to go ashore in the little boat, pretending
that they were going to put out other anchors. Paul warned the soldiers, however, that if the sailors
were allowed to leave, the rest of them would perish (presumably because they did not know how to
handle the ship). So the soldiers cut the ropes of the little boat so it fell away into the sea. Note how,
by this time, the soldiers were taking seriously the warnings Paul gave. God had definitely predicted
that the ship would be lost but all people on it would be saved. There were some conditions (third
class conditional sentence) connected to Paul's updated vision and God's promise (27:31). The term
"saved" in this context carries the OT sense of physical deliverance (cf. James 5:15). Knowing Paul,
these sailors, soldiers, and fellow passengers also heard the gospel, which brings the NT sense of the
term spiritual salvation. What a tragedy to be saved from physical death to die an eternal death!

How was the rest of the People’s attitude toward Paul’s words and actions? (27:33-41)

As dawn drew near, Paul encouraged the men to eat. They had been fasting or going without food
for fourteen days. Paul said they needed food to survive, so he urged them to eat. He promised
further that none of them would be hurt. Paul specifically said, "not a hair from the head of any of
you will perish" (27:34). Paul uses words similar to Jesus' words (cf. Luke 12:7; 21:18). “This was a
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Hebrew idiom of protection (cf. 1 Sam. 14:45; 2 Sam. 14:11; 1 Kings. 1:52).” Paul himself then set
the example and ate a meal, after he had given thanks to God. Here Pratte says, “Some
commentators point out that it is unlikely that the men had eaten absolutely no food for fourteen
days. It may simply be an exaggerated way of expressing that they had taken no real, regular meals.
In any case, the men themselves, whom Paul addressed, would have understood his meaning
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exactly.” Note that giving thanks before eating was generally practiced by Jesus and His disciples
(cf. Matt. 14:19; 15:36). Especially at this time these men needed God’s help. Also notice that prayer
in public, even in the presence of unbelievers, is not wrong but beneficial.

The men were encouraged by Paul’s speech and example, so they also ate. Notice their increasing
confidence in what Paul said. People were seeing the truth of his words. The fact they were close to

89 Uttly, (27:24)
90 Pratte, (p. 383)
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