BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 27:41

Tuesday, 28 May 2024
 
But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. Acts 27:41
 
A more literal rendering is, “And having fallen into a place – two seas – they urged on the vessel, and, indeed, the prow having stuck fast remained immovable, and the stern was loosed under the force of the waves.” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the anchors were abandoned to the sea and the rudders were loosed. After that the foresail was hoisted and the sailors headed the ship for the shore. With that, words that are filled with detail come rushing forth, beginning with, “And having fallen into a place.”
 
The words “having fallen,” as in English, signify “ o encounter.” Someone might say, “I fell into trouble on the way h ome.” The meaning is that he encountered trouble on the way home. This is the intent here. They were heading like a speeding train to the coast, but as they did so, they fell into a particular place that was unnoticed until it was too late, “two seas.”
 
Despite the great efforts of preparation, there was a problem which dashed their overall hopes. The ship was caught in a location where two seas met. The word so translated is rare, dithalassos, or literally “two seas.” It is found only here and one other known ancient Greek writing. 
 
Luke is describing a ship coming in from the sea and heading into St. Paul’s Bay. There is a point of land, once called Koura Point, off to the left which was actually used as an aerial training aid in WWII.
 
To the right, there is a small island, previously known as Salmonetta. Nowadays it is called il-Gzejjer ta' san Pawl. The sailors must have thought that it was a part of Malta itself as it is very close to the main island. However, it is separated by a narrow channel about 100 yards wide.
 
It is at this point, the sailors probably realized there was trouble. Because of the obvious break between the land and this small island, Luke next records that “they urged on the vessel.” Most translations here say that they ran the ship aground, but that is a consequence of going through the two seas.
 
Rather, when they realized there was this shallow spot, they probably pulled the sail in as close to the wind as possible, raised the rudders a bit, and so forth. In other words, these skilled sailors saw every possibility of running aground. In hopes of avoiding that, they made like a jet fighter with movable wings, pulling them in close and working to eke out every bit of speed and remove every possible inch of contact with the seabed below.
 
The word used to describe this is epokelló. It is only used here in the Bible. It comes from epi, on or upon, and okello, to urge. The sense is that they forced the ship forward. Luke also uses another unique word here, naus, to describe the ship. It signifies a ship or vessel of considerable size. Luke is hinting at why the ship would have difficulty.
 
A smaller ship might get through, but this one was quite sizable. Therefore, despite their best efforts to break through the two seas, Luke next records, “and, indeed, the prow having stuck fast.”
 
 This is the consequence of having passed through the two seas. The ship was too deep to pass through and it finally stuck fast. Here Luke uses the word próra, or prow, for the second and last time. It was first used in Acts 27:30. It signifies the forward part, meaning the front, bow, prow, etc. of a ship.
 
To get a sense of the action, the Pulpit Commentary says that “When, however, she was just coming upon the beach for which she was making, she would come opposite to this open channel, and the sea from the north would break upon her and meet the sea on the south side of the island, where the ship was. Here, then, they ran the vessel aground.”
 
Also, Luke uses another unique word here, ereidó. It is of obscure affinity and means something like “to prop.” Therefore, used reflexively, it means to stick fast. One can see the ship racing through the two seas and the sailors can feel it touching upon the seabed. And so, they continue pulling the sheets, raising the rudders, and urging the ship on.
 
However, the prow of the ship suddenly jerks, indicating solid contact. With that, the stern would leap in an upward motion, causing the ship to prop upwards. The words are all very exciting and extremely detailed.
 
Of this word, ereidó, the Pulpit Commentary notes that it was common in classical Greek and is “not very different from its frequent medical meaning of a disease ‘fixing itself’ and ‘settling’ in some particular part of the body.” It is another clue to the authenticity of Luke’s authorship because of his use of words that have medical connections in order to describe other things.
 
Once the prow had stuck fast, Luke next records that the ship “remained immovable.” The word is asaleutos. It is only seen here and in Hebrews 12:28 which speaks of the unshakeable kingdom that we shall receive. It signifies to be unshakeable, immovable, etc.
 
The ship had come to a full stop, but it was not at the shore. Thus, there was a difficulty that would have to be dealt with quickly. This is because Luke next notes, “and the stern was loosed under the force of the waves.”
 
The word prumna, or stern, is used for the third and last time in the New Testament. It signifies the hinder part of the ship. Also, the word bia, force, is seen for the fourth and last time. All four uses were in Acts. It signifies violence, force, or strength. One can see an etymological connection to the word bio, the life force of things.
 
As for Luke’s description, it is telling us that the constant battering of the waves upon the stern of the ship was quickly taking its toll. The entire hinder part of the ship, therefore, was loosed from the main body of the ship and would quickly disintegrate by this pummeling.
 
Life application: What is amazing is how accurately Luke’s writings reflect what we can still see today. If one goes to Google Maps, he can almost insert himself into a ship as it heads for this disastrous spot where the two seas meet. Once at this location, the ship ran aground. The front of the ship got stuck in the seabed, and would not budge another inch.
 
Take time to go to such a map and look at the location. You can also see images by doing an image search. This will give you a better perspective of exactly what Luke is describing. Be sure that just because the words are from antiquity, it does not mean that they are either fables or somehow in error. We have a sure word that has proven the test of time.
Be confident that the word of God is reliable. Take it in daily and rejoice in the marvelous detail we have been given concerning real people and real events that have come together in the stream of history to be a part of the story of what God is doing in the process of the redemption of man.
 
Lord God, what a marvelous word You have given us. It is as reliable as any book written at any time in history, even more so, because it has been protected by Your hand throughout the ages. We don’t need to fret about whether the story of Jesus is true or not. No! Rather, we can be confident that our hope is sure, fixed, and immovable. Hooray for Jesus! Amen.
 

Acts 27:40

Monday, 27 May 2024
 
And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. Acts 27:40
 
A more precise and literal rendering would be, “And the anchors, having detached, they left in the sea, simultaneously, having relaxed the ropes of the rudders. And having hoisted the foresail to the blowing, they held fast for the shore” (CG).
 
The last verse noted that they did not recognize the land that was ahead of them, but there was a bay with a shore that they decided to run the ship aground on. Therefore, it next says, “And the anchors, having detached.”
 
Many older versions, such as the KJV, really botch these words by saying that “they had taken up the anchors.” This is not at all what occurred. They were trying to lighten the ship, not increase its weight. A lighter ship would go further before getting stuck.
 
Instead, they released or cut away the anchors that they had previously set in the sea to help keep the ship running more steadily, slowly, and in a single direction. As the intention was to run up on shore in as light a manner as possible, there would be no benefit derived from pulling in the immense anchors. Understanding this, and still speaking of the anchors, it next says, “they left in the sea.”
 
The word translated as anchors is found first here in Scripture, agkura. It will be seen twice more in this chapter and once in Hebrews 6:19. It is pronounced angkoorah, and one can thus both see and hear the etymological root of our modern word. It is from the same root as agkalé, a bent arm when hugging or receiving a burden. The anchor thus has the appearance of two bent arms.
 
Of these words, the older translations continue the error by saying, “they committed themselves unto the sea.” In other words, they do not take this clause as referring to the anchors, but themselves, as if they just let the sea direct them. That is completely contrary to the coming words. The men had a plan, and it wasn’t to just leave their souls at the mercy of the seas.
 
Instead, they detached the anchors, let them drop into the deep, while “simultaneously, having relaxed the ropes of the rudders.”
 
By relaxing the rudders, they could get the ship to now steer in a direction they wanted, something not possible while they were tied. They would now use the ship as a targeted torpedo, heading as directly into the shore as possible.
 
The action of relaxing the rudder ropes means that they had previously pulled the rudders. This would keep them from getting fouled in the anchor lines. This type of ship had two large rudders that were like paddles (the word is plural).
 
After they were lifted out of the water, they would have been secured with ropes. Now, by loosing those ropes, the rudders would fall back into the sea to serve their purpose of steering the ship. With that done, it next says, “And having hoisted the foresail to the blowing.”
 
The word translated as foresail is artemón. It is only used here, but it matches the Italian and French word for the largest sail, the mainsail. However, it is generally agreed that this was not the main, but a foresail.
 
The reason is that if they were to ground the ship as intended, the foresail would be the logical choice for this task. It was at the front and would cause the ship to properly drive onto the beach in the most propitious manner. Once this sail was hoisted, it next says, “they held fast for the shore.”
 
With the ability to drive the ship through the use of manipulating the rudders and foresail, they would have a ship that could be directed toward the shore. Depending on the direction of the wind, it could be a very easy task to one that took the skill and hands of the entire crew, but it could be done with their knowledge of the workings of the ship.
 
Life application: As noted, the fourth and final use of the word anchor is found in Hebrews 6 –
 
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20
 
An anchor is dropped to hold a ship fast to its mooring. One can clearly see the intent of the author of Hebrews. We have a hope of reconciliation with God and of the resurrection of the dead because of Jesus Christ. This is not a dubious, ethereal hope that may or may not come about, such as, “My friend said he would come by tomorrow. I hope that will really happen.”
 
Rather, when we hear of the promises of God in Christ, our hope is absolutely anchored. Jesus has overcome death, and because He has, we too will (not maybe) be raised again to live forever in God’s presence. However, that is so only if you have believed the gospel. Be sure to accept God’s offer, and then be firm in your convictions that it will come to pass. By all means, it will. Hooray for Jesus!
 
Lord God, we don’t need to worry about our future once we have come to Christ. It is a done deal because Your Spirit has sealed us for the day of redemption. Help us to confidently trust that our hope is certain and that it will be realized. Help us never to doubt. Jesus has prevailed. Our hope is sure. Hallelujah and Amen.
 

Acts 27:39

Sunday, 26 May 2024
 
When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. Acts 27:39
   
A more literal rendering would be, “And when day came, they knew not the land. And they noticed a certain bay having a shore, unto which they determined to drive out the ship, if they were able” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the sailors filled themselves with food and then lightened the ship by throwing out the wheat. It next says, “And when day came, they knew not the land.” What they knew was coming because of having taken soundings and possibility through other nautical clues has now come to pass. They had finally come near land after being lost at sea for two full weeks.
 
With land in sight, they would need to search for some suitable location to drive the ship ashore. Probably with minimal ability to steer because of having cast so much of the tackle overboard, this would not be a simple procedure, but it was still possible. In observing the land, it next says, “And they noticed a certain bay having a shore.”
 
The word translated as “shore” is the same as that used in Matthew 13 and John 21. It is simply a coast with a sandy or pebbled beach rather than rocks. On this shore in Acts 27, there is a spot in Malta now known as St. Paul’s Bay. It is where this is believed to have taken place. It is about seven miles from the great harbor now known as Valletta, which is the capital of Malta.
 
The sailors, if experienced enough, would have probably known the great harbor, but at this time they had no idea what the spot ahead of them was. However, it had a bay with a beach, and so they decided that it would be a good spot to run the ship aground. Therefore, it next says of this shore, “unto which they determined to drive out the ship, if they were able.”
 
The word used here, which speaks of running the ship aground is exótheó. This is its second and last use in the New Testament. Its first use was in Acts 7:45 under a completely different context when Stephen spoke of driving out the inhabitants of Canaan. Here, they intend to drive out the life of the ship by thrusting it upon the shores of Malta.
 
Life application: In Ecclesiastes 3:1, Solomon says –
 
To everything there is a season,A time for every purpose under heaven.
 
When early settlers came to Florida, they left where they lived, cutting down trees suitable for their mission ahead. They then constructed rafts or boats from the logs which they proceeded to sail down the waterways of America until they arrived at whatever location they had set out for.
 
From there, they disassembled their raft or barge and dragged the wood to where they intended to homestead, using that wood to build their homes. Some of these older houses have many different species of northern wood totally foreign to Florida in them.
 
Today, those older homes are sold and restored or sold and torn down. The smart laborers, however, will save these unusual woods for other uses.
 
As for those on the ship, it was used as their means of livelihood until it was used as a means of simply staying alive. From there, it was determined that it was to be driven out of the sea and onto the shores of Malta. After that, it would be scrapped, and its parts repurposed for other things.
 
The point is that we cannot get too tied down to the things of this world. The uses that we have set for things in our lives change. The need for various possessions often ends. As Solomon says later in Ecclesiastes 3:6 –
 
“A time to gain,And a time to lose;A time to keep,And a time to throw away.”
 
Let us use the things of this world according to our needs, but we should not let them take over our lives and consume us. There is a time for us to depart from all things according to the necessary season. If we remember to thank God for what we possess, and to then thank God for the changes that come, we should be content in whatever our situation is.
 
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13
 
Lord God, may we recognize that this world is not our home and that the things we possess and enjoy are just temporary trinkets and baubles that will pass away. The only thing we can truly hold onto is our hope in Christ Jesus. And what a hope it is – certain and trustworthy. Thank You for the precious hope we possess. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 27:38

Saturday, 25 May 2024
 
So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. Acts 27:38
 
The Greek more closely reads, “And having gorged food, they lightened the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea” (CG).
 
Paul’s words and actions encouraged all aboard the ship and so they all took food. Luke then noted that there were two hundred seventy-six on board. Having noted that, he next writes, “And having gorged food.”
 
This is a new and rare word, korennumi. It signifies to satisfy, having been fed to the full. Thus, to glut or sate. In this case, “gorged” seems to fit the situation. They had eaten so little that they hungrily gorged on what they could, filling themselves till they couldn’t eat anymore.
 
The only other use of this word is in 1 Corinthians 4:8 where Paul speaks facetiously concerning those in Corinth –
 
“You are already full [korennumi]! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!”
 
More literally, he says, “Already you are having gorged.” Those in Corinth felt they were superstars of the faith. They had filled themselves and remained in that state, or at least they thought so. As for the people on the ship, there is a reason why they gorged so heavily. It is because Luke next writes, “they lightened the ship.”
 
The word translated as “lightened” is kouphizo. It is used only here in the New Testament. It means exactly that, “to lighten.” This is just what the sailors did in Jonah 1:5, where the Greek translation of the Old Testament uses the same word. In this case, however, instead of a person, they were “casting out the wheat into the sea.”
 
It is now the third time that the ship has been lightened. There is a large amount of commentary and argumentation about what Luke means by ton siton, or “the wheat.” Some argue that it is the remaining food used for the crew.
 
They hadn’t eaten much in 14 days and so it would still be of considerable weight. Others argue that they wouldn’t throw over that which was already prepared because they didn't know where they were going aground and so it might be needed for food if they landed in a barren area.
 
Some argue it is the stores of wheat that had been held in hopes of saving a portion of the cargo in order to not have a complete loss to the owners. With the boat having been filled with water from the storm, the ship would need to be lightened as much as possible in order to safely run aground.
 
No matter what is correct, this wheat was tossed over at this time. Having gorged themselves, the sailors would not be as reticent to do this as they otherwise might have been.
 
Life application: Paul, speaking in a facetious manner to those in Corinth, jested that they were gorged on the things of Christ. Obviously this wasn’t so. The church was filled with division and strife. Paul was writing to correct them and also to provide instruction to them.
 
Being Gentiles, they would have been unschooled in the Old Testament. Having only received verbal training from Paul, they would have been mere babes in understanding the things of God. And yet, they pranced around as if they were superstars of the faith.
 
Much of the writings of Paul and the other New Testament authors did not yet exist. Each letter adds to the body of knowledge that is needed to truly gorge on what God in Christ has done. As understanding all of these things, meaning both the Old and New Testaments, is necessary to fully understand what God has done, is doing, and will do, how can we claim to be superstars of the faith unless we know the word?
 
It is true that without knowing the word, many have been great missionaries or evangelists, but they cannot be considered superstars of the faith in the sense that they can then provide sound instruction to others. A superstar is someone who is fully versed in all aspects of his field and is both capable and determined to do it to the full extent of his abilities.
 
In your zeal to know the Lord, you must know the word. In your desire to share the Lord, you should know the right things to say. But after you have done so, you should be able to provide deeper instruction to those you have evangelized. These things take study and contemplation on the word. It is what God has given us to prepare us for every step of our walk in Christ. Read it carefully, prayerfully, and faithfully all the days of your life.
 
Glorious Lord God, may we never neglect a good filling each day by gorging ourselves on Your word. May we be ready to pop at the end of each time we do, having filled ourselves enough to carry us sufficiently until we return to it and dine on its sacred contents once again. May we hunger for this word each day. Amen.
 

Acts 27:37

Friday, 24 May 2024
 
And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. Acts 27:37
 
The Greek provides a stress on the people, offsetting them for effect, “And we were, all the souls in the ship, two hundred seventy-six” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the people were encouraged by Paul’s example and took food. Now, to show the importance of what Paul had done, it next says, “And we were.”
 
Luke is preparing the mind for the next clause, which is offset, thus making it the main thought. Those words are, “all the souls in the ship.”
 
The human soul is important to God, and thus it was important to Paul and Luke. Those on the ship were destitute of strength and encouragement, but Paul was able to change that state. And it wasn’t a small ship with a few passengers on board.
 
Rather, it was a ship filled with people, each an individual who had the possibility of being redeemed by Jesus Christ through Paul’s ministry. Of these people, Luke says there were “two hundred seventy-six.”
 
The number is not without significance. The previous verse just said that “they all were encouraged.” This gives a number for the mind to grasp concerning how many “all” really was.
 
Luke was probably prompted at this time to continue with the exacting record that he had thus far been so careful with. Paul had a chance to demonstrate to such a large contingent of people that faith in God was not in vain. Luke felt it was worth taking the time to show that this one prisoner was able to change the attitude of so many people with a simple demonstration of that faith.
 
Further, the head count was probably made at this time to ensure that the same number was accounted for whenever they reached land. Coming in verse 44, it will say that all safely reached the land. How could one make that claim unless they knew how many heads there were?
 
The number of people is not exceptional for that time in history though. Josephus records that on a ship he was on, and which was also wrecked, there were 600 people aboard. Many have tried to find a spiritual symbolism in the number 276, some even to the point of being goofy, but none of these attempts have held up to scrutiny.
 
It is possible the number has a deeper significance, but even if not, it is an accurate record to account for the number who were then brought safely to land.
 
Life application: If the words and actions of Paul and Luke while on the ship, and later on the land, were effective enough, they could have actually brought all to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
 
Just think of the difference that could have made. Two hundred and seventy-six people go out to various locations, families, and settings (such as those going to prison). If each was then willing to share that same good news, the number of people who might come to Jesus could increase geometrically.
 
This is one of the reasons for the book of Acts. It is given to show how the church was established and grew. But each one of us is living in an ongoing setting of the progression of the church as it marches through time and history.
 
Each one of us can have an impact on the world in which we live, if we will simply hand out a tract, open our mouths to our friends, or support our local churches and their missionaries.
 
If not you, then who? Be a part of the continuing story that began in the book of Acts, and which will continue until the trumpet sounds and the church is called home to glory. Don’t sit on your hands idling your time away! Be one who encourages others through your faith in Jesus Christ. Do it with cheer and do it today!
 
Lord God, may we be a part of the great thing You are doing in the world as You build Your church. Help us not to be a chipped block on an outside wall of Your temple, but a shining stone that radiates out Your goodness to the world as we await the return of our Lord. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Acts 27:36

Thursday, 23 May 2024
 
Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. Acts 27:36
 
The Greek is less wordy than the NKJV, “And having been encouraged, they all also took food” (CG).
 
Paul just broke the bread, blessed it, and began to eat. Now, after hearing his words and seeing his confidence, it next says, “And having been encouraged.”
 
The word translated as encouraged, euthumos, is used for the second and last time. The first was in Acts 24:10. It comes from two words signifying good and passion. In this case, encouraged fits the context properly.
 
As for the situation on the ship, verse 20 was one of hopelessness. But now there is a contrasting attitude which permeated all of the people on the ship. Paul’s confidence, his prayer of gratitude, and the surely unruffled way in which he broke the bread and started eating had the intended calming effect on everyone aboard.
 
He knew they needed to eat before whatever trial lay ahead, and his actions brought that intended effect out perfectly. As it next says, “they all also took food.”
 
This would give them a happier attitude, more energy, and a renewed confidence in themselves. It would also mend any grumpy attitudes that may have arisen among those on the ship because of the stresses and trials that pressed each person.
 
The ship was now far better prepared to come to the shores which Paul was informed were ahead. When they got there, a more united group of people would be ready for whatever task was necessary to get to shore safely.
 
Life application: Paul’s conduct has been an example of one who can often save many. In battle, it only takes one heroic soul to press forward and instill in his comrades the desire to do so as well. In a church besought with troubles, one calm person can make all the difference in whether the congregation unites or divides.
 
Paul was a prisoner aboard the ship, and yet he led the way for even the non-prisoners to strive to rise above their present plight and to prepare for what lay ahead. As Paul’s inspiration and surety came from the Lord’s visit, the words of the psalmist are appropriate –
 
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,But to Your name give glory,Because of Your mercy,Because of Your truth.2 Why should the Gentiles say,“So where is their God?” Psalm 115:1, 2
 
How can you be an example to others during such times. Someone has to step forward and raise the banner to rally the troops. If not, hopelessness, despair, and defeat are just ahead. Be ready to stand confidently in the promises of the Lord, leading others to the joy of life that is found in the eternal hope of Jesus Christ our Lord!
 
Lord God, in this world of loss, sadness, trial, and despair, we who know Jesus, have the ability to encourage others that this life is not all there is. May we confidently do so, leading others to the same hope we possess. And Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 27:35

Wednesday, 22 May 2024
 
And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Acts 27:35
 
A more literal translation is, “And having said these, and having taken bread, he thanked God in sight of all. And having broken, he began to eat” (CG).
 
Paul had once again just urged those with him to take nourishment, reassuring them that they would all come through unscathed. With that stated, Luke next records, “And having said these.”
 
Paul will now turn his words into action. Thus, Luke redirects the mind of the reader from the spoken words to a tangible, visible manifestation of his faith in the word of the Lord. This is seen in the next words, “and having taken bread.”
 
Here are people that have been severely undernourished for two weeks. They were about to go through another ordeal that would test them to the limit of their ability if they were unprepared for it. Therefore, Paul reached for bread to turn his verbal urging into a visible one. Once it was in his hands, “he thanked God in sight of all.”
 
The Greek word is eucharisteó, the root of our modern-day word eucharist. It signifies to give thanks, and thus his actions are equivalent to saying grace. Once that was complete, Luke records, “And having broken, he began to eat.”
 
Paul set the example, certainly hoping it would transfer to all aboard. As prophesied, those who refused to eat would make it ashore safely, but it would be by the power of someone else who would have to expend his own energy in assisting those who were too weak to make it. This was certainly on Paul’s mind.
 
As for Paul’s actions, scholars vary on whether they think this was a memorial of the Lord’s Supper or not. The words of this verse are remarkably similar to those of Luke 22:19. However, the actions are the same as what Jesus did in Matthew 14:19 & 15:36. It is probably, therefore, comparable to a regular Jewish tradition.
 
Any relation to the Lord’s Supper would be personal to the one taking it and not an intentional connection for all to participate in. It would make no sense for Paul to do this, considering it to be a reenactment of the death of the Lord as described in 1 Corinthians 11 because that is intended for believers only.
 
The breaking of the bread, and thanking God for it as well, was in itself enough to impress in the minds of those in attendance of Paul’s faith in God. Thus, it would stand as an encouragement to them all. He was unashamed of his faith in God and Paul’s thanks would show that he was openly grateful for the mercy he had been promised concerning all aboard the ship.
 
Life application: Words are often effective in achieving a desired outcome, but there are times when words are not enough. Action must be taken to demonstrate that the words are reliable. As the greatest example of this, we can look at the words of Scripture.
God promised a Redeemer. Throughout the many books of the Old Testament, prophecies were made, telling Israel that He was coming. This gave the people hope. However, saying that this would happen doesn’t change the state of things one iota without Him actually coming.
 
Therefore, as Paul says in Galatians 4:4, 5, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
 
God backed up His words with action. Thus, all of what the prophets proclaimed became a reality. Because of that, it wasn’t just something Israel could accept and revel in, but it was something that all peoples of the world could now accept and partake of.
 
In like manner, we should be willing to follow up our words of promise with action that matches what we say. If we don’t do this, people will look at us as unfaithful. Whether our words speak of small things or great, let us be willing to follow through with them as a testimony that we are reliable followers of Jesus Christ.
 
Lord God, help us to be responsible in following through with the things we speak so that we are considered trustworthy to those we encounter. If we are faithless as Christians, it will certainly bring a stain upon people’s thoughts concerning You. Therefore, be with us and prompt us in our spirits to always be faithful in the things we say. Amen.

Acts 27:34

Tuesday, 21 May 2024
 
“Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” Acts 27:34
 
I translate this as, “Therefore, I encourage you to take food for this is for your salvation. For not a hair of the head of you will fall.” (CG).
 
Paul just implored those gathered before to take food, noting that it was the fourteenth day that they had gone without nourishment. Because of this, he continues with, “Therefore, I encourage you to take food.”
 
He again repeats the thought he just said. They need to eat. A time is coming very shortly when they would need to be strengthened both in body and in mind, something that eating food would do for them. He tells them all that “for this is for your salvation.”
 
Paul had already told them in verse 23 that he had been assured by an angel that all would come to safety, but now he shows that this doesn’t mean they were not to be participants in that truth. In telling them to eat, it was to ensure that they would have the strength for whatever ordeal may lie ahead.
 
The word he uses literally means “salvation,” but the context indicates that a different word such as “preservation” or “survival” is acceptable. The idea of salvation is most often connected to the eternal soul. That is not what Paul is saying. Rather, it is the salvation of life.
If they had already been told that they would all survive, and yet Paul indicates that this is for their salvation, then an obvious deduction would be that if they didn’t eat, they would have to be saved by those who did. Instead of living off the welfare of others, each should be responsible enough to eat and be prepared to rescue himself from the ordeal that was coming.Either way, however, they would all be saved. And more, Paul says, “For not a hair of the head of you will fall.” 
 
This is a proverbial saying used several times in Scripture and which even Jesus alludes to. See 1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52, Matthew 10:30, & Luke 21:18. As for the word “you,” it is plural. Every person would come through this ultimately unscathed.
 
However, it might be that those who didn’t eat would be so utterly exhausted that they might not physically recover for weeks, or they face some other malady or embarrassment that eating would help avoid. Paul is using wisdom, based on the prophecy, to prepare those with him for the coming shipwreck.
 
Life application: The words of this verse call to mind the promises of the Bible which ask the same from us. Time and again, we are given exhortations. If we choose to reject them, then the harms that come upon us are actually self-inflicted wounds.
 
Jesus has promised salvation to those who believe in Him. This is an eternal decree of God, and thus salvation itself is eternal. One is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of future redemption. And yet, what shape will we be in when we get to the end of this life?
 
We may have bodies worn out from abuses that the Bible warned us against. We may live lives filled with trials and troubles simply because we didn’t heed the word and apply it to our lives. Is this what we want?
 
And more, once we have been brought before Jesus, there will still be consequences for the lives we lived. This will be at the judgment seat of Christ where we will receive rewards or loss. Paul explicitly tells us that we will be saved, yet as through fire.
Paul is telling those on the ship what to do so that their earthly salvation will be easier than it otherwise might be without eating. His letters tell. Us that our eternal salvation will be better if we do what the word tells us to do as we live out our lives in Christ. Let us pay heed!
 
Lord God, may we carefully consider our walk before You each day. Help us to include adherence to Your word in our daily decisions and actions of life. May we be fully prepared for the day we stand before You and receive our judgement for the lives we have lived. Help us in this, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 27:33

Monday, 20 May 2024
 
And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Acts 27:33
 
More literally, it reads, “And until it was about to be day, Paul urged all to take food, saying, ‘Anticipating today, the fourteenth day, you continue undernourished, having taken nothing.’” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted the soldiers cutting away the skiff. At some point later, in the very early morning, Luke next records, “And until it was about to be day.”
 
This indicates the time between midnight and morning, not specifically the dawn itself. It is at some point very early in the day when the dawning is the next anticipated event in the daily progression of time. It is at this very early time that, “Paul urged all to take food.”
 
His advice for those gathered to eat surely wasn’t just as a means of strengthening the people, but it also would have served that great purpose of once again uniting the soldiers and sailors after what just happened.
 
Paul had a keen understanding of human nature, and he knew that there would certainly need to be a united effort on the part of both parties to ensure that everyone would be safe during the coming hours. A meal would bring a state of harmony which had been lacking through the long ordeal, and which could only have gotten worse with the cutting away of the skiff. Because of this tense state, Paul continued, “saying, ‘Anticipating today, the fourteenth day, you continue undernourished, having taken nothing.’”
 
The need to stop and eat a good meal begins to be evident first from the words “the fourteenth day.” They were anticipating the completion of two full weeks of constant battering by the wind and water. It would have been a harrowing ordeal for even the most seasoned sailor, but those fourteen days were, as he says, in an undernourished state.
 
The Greek word is not the usual word for “fasting” where one goes completely without eating. Rather, the word is asitos, an adjective that is only used here in Scripture. It is from the negative particle a along with the word sitos, signifying wheat or grain. Ellicott notes that they had taken “nothing beyond what was absolutely necessary to keep body and soul together.”
 
Life application: When people go without food, there are various ways they will handle it. Very few people will be unaffected by extended times of food deprivation. Some quickly get hangry (hungry combined with angry) while others just lay around lethargically, etc.
 
The point for most is that without food, things will not go as intended for the human physique. In Scripture, God’s word is equated to food, such as in Deuteronomy 8:3 –
 
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”
 
Even Job understood this –
 
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;I have treasured the words of His mouthMore than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
 
If we can have immediate and negative reactions to a lack of food for our physical bodies, shouldn’t we expect that without taking in God’s word, we can have immediate and negative reactions in our spiritual lives? Without coming to the word frequently, our minds are quickly diverted to contemplate the things of the world. In this, God becomes almost an afterthought. Eventually, He disappears from our thoughts altogether.
 
Let us consider this and choose to voluntarily feed ourselves on His word at least daily, and preferably more often than that. We eat two or three times a day. Shouldn’t we be feasting on the word equally as often? Stay in proper spiritual shape by tasting and seeing the Lord through His word!
 
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!There is no want to those who fear Him.10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Psalm 34:8-10
 
Lord God, may we fill our lives daily with the nourishment that can only come from You through Your word. Help us to responsibly feed ourselves on what You have presented to us for our guidance, protection, and life. Yes, Lord, help us in this and be with us as we dine daily in this wonderful treasure. Amen.

Acts 27:32

Sunday, 19 May 2024
 
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. Acts 27:32
 
In the previous verse, Paul told the centurion and the sailors that if the crew were to get away on the skiff, the ship and those on it were not able to be saved. Therefore, heeding his advice, Luke records, “Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff.”
 
The action here shows that they immediately accepted Paul’s words. The skiff had probably already been completely lowered, but the sailors weren’t yet on it. Luke records no arguments, no conversations, and no dispute by any party.
 
It is as if the centurion nodded his head and the soldiers simply cut away the skiff in a moment. This shows clearly that the centurion trusted Paul’s faith in the message he had received from the angel enough to act as was needed.
 
Again, it is very similar to what occurred with Jonah. The skiff could have been useful later. It was contrary to sound reason to simply cut it away. Likewise, it was contrary to sound reason to dump a person overboard in hopes of calming a storm. But in both cases, those who were faced with a decision made it according to the word they had heard.
 
In this verse, two words are used for the last time. The first is schoinion. It signifies a cord or rope. Its only other use was in John 2:15 –
 
“When He had made a whip of cords [schoinion], He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.”
 
The other word is skaphé, the skiff. All three of its uses were in this chapter. Once the ropes were cut, it says, “and let it fall off.” More precisely, “and let her fall away.” Like a ship, the skiff is a feminine noun. Her ropes were cut, and she fell away from the boat, proceeding on by herself.
 
Life application: The words of this verse are not unlike our own walk with the Lord. We are asked to do something which seems beyond reason, meaning to trust in the death of a Man from two thousand years ago in order to save us.
 
We have been told that He died in fulfillment of a law that we have never been under, but in doing so, He met the righteous requirements of God. From there, and proving that He did so, He rose again. It is otherwise incredible to consider, but this is what faith is, and this is what we are rewarded for. God looks for faith in His faithless creatures, so a little bit will do.
 
In receiving Jesus, we are cutting away our own source of attempts at personal salvation, and we are trusting in God’s provision alone. The soldiers had a choice. They could attempt to save themselves on a ship without someone to properly guide it – a picture of works-based salvation – or they could trust the word they had heard and do what seemed otherwise contrary to reason.
 
Be wise in how you proceed! Trust God’s word by trusting in Jesus. He can and He will deliver you on that day. Let us thank God for Jesus and praise His name forever and ever.
 
Heavenly Father, we know that we will be found worthy to stand before You, not on our own merits but on the merits of Christ Jesus who alone has fulfilled Your law. May we rest in Him, trust in Him, and be delivered by Him on that day. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Acts 27:31

Saturday, 18 May 2024
 
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31
 
A closer translation to the original is, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these don’t remain in the ship, you are not able to be saved” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, some of the sailors were putting out the skiff, pretending they were going to lay out anchors from the prow. However, seeing this was just a pretext to get away from the ship, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these don’t remain in the ship, you are not able to be saved.”
 
Depending on one’s view of what is occurring, the words of Paul here can be taken from a logical or a spiritual viewpoint. Is Paul saying that the abandonment of the sailors would mean that God’s wrath would be on the ship, thus bringing death to all?
 
Or is this logically saying that without the skills and abilities of the ship’s crew to navigate the vessel after the rising of the sun, death is the certain end as it would be in any such circumstance?
 
It is probably best to assume that Paul is making an obvious deduction. There were passengers, there were soldiers, there were prisoners, and there were owners, all of whom would be left to handle the ship without the necessary skills required for the task. And therefore, he speaks logically to the centurion and the sailors that disaster was just ahead without the crew’s expertise.
 
 The “you” here is emphatic, as if saying, “you yourselves.” Even in the middle of the night, Paul was ever vigilant to observe the circumstances around him and to advise according to the wisdom he possessed.
 
After having rejected his advice at the beginning of the voyage, and after having been given the assurances concerning the words of the angel, the centurion would have to decide now if Paul’s words were sufficiently reasonable.
 
Though long, Barnes’ thoughts on this verse are worth citing –
 
(1) That the certainty of an event does not render it improper to use means to obtain it.
(2) that, though the event may be determined, yet the use of means may be indispensable to secure it. The event is not more certainly ordained than the means requisite to accomplish it.
(3) that the doctrine of the divine purposes or decrees, making certain future events, does not make the use of man's agency unnecessary or improper. The means are determined as well as the end, and the one will not be secured without the other.
(4) the same is true in regard to the decrees respecting salvation. The end is not determined without the means; and as God has resolved that his people shall be saved, so he has also determined the means. He has ordained that they shall repent, shall believe, shall be holy, and shall thus be saved.
(5) we have in this case a full answer to the objection that a belief in the decrees of God will make people neglect the means of salvation, and lead to licentiousness. It has just the contrary tendency. Here is a case in which Paul certainly believed in the purpose of God to save these people; in which he was assured that it was fully determined; and yet the effect was not to produce indolence and unconcern, but to prompt him to use strenuous efforts to accomplish the very effect which God had determined should take place. So it is always. A belief that God has purposes of mercy; that he designs, and has always designed, to save some, will prompt to the use of all proper means to secure it. If we had no such evidence that God had any such purpose, effort would be vain. Where we have such evidence, it operates, as it did in the case of Paul, to produce great and strenuous endeavors to secure the object. 
 
Life application: There are things we are able to do and there are things beyond our ability. When it comes to salvation, no man is able to save himself. The Bible takes this as an axiom. Apart from God’s intervention, man is utterly corrupted before Him.
 
It is as if we are on a journey through a sea, being tossed about and where every moment could be our last. This is a truth we cannot deny. We are at the mercy of God alone for our next breath, and yet we must continue on until that final moment.
 
However, once death arrives, our fate will have been sealed. If we cut away from us the lifeline to God’s provision, meaning Jesus Christ, we are not able to be saved. We have forsaken the only One who has proven Himself worthy before God, and who is then willing to be our Substitute before Him.
 
The centurion and the soldiers on the ship had a choice to make. Should they listen to God’s appointed apostle and keep the sailors on board, making it possible for the ship to be saved, or should they allow things to continue without their needed experience.
 
Likewise, will we listen to the words of Scripture and receive Jesus, or will we attempt to go it alone? Let us use wisdom in this matter and call out to Jesus while we can. He is sure to deliver us safely to our place of rest and joy in the presence of God.
 
Almighty God, may we not be foolish and squander away our days walking in darkness and without the light of the Lord to conduct us back to You. Rather, may we call out to Jesus and find the right and proper path that will bring us into Your glorious presence once again. Amen.

Acts 27:30

Friday, 17 May 2024
 
And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Acts 27:30
 
More exactingly, it reads, “And the sailors, seeking to flee from the ship, and having let down the skiff into the sea, a pretext, as being about to extend anchors from the prow” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the crew feared they would be dashed on rocks when they came to land, so they dropped four anchors from the stern, hoping for the day to come. Now, Luke continues with, “And the sailors, seeking to flee from the ship.”
 
Some translations add in the word of, and thus, “And of the sailors.” This would then indicate that it wasn’t all of them that were doing this. Though not in the original, this is likely the case. Some of the sailors had a plan to abandon the ship, leaving the rest to fend for themselves. Therefore, it next says, “and having let down the skiff into the sea.”
 
In order to make it appear that they wanted to doubly secure the ship, these sailors let down a skiff, probably the same smaller boat that had been hauled in during verses 16 & 17. However, Luke notes this was “a pretext.”
 
They were working cunningly to save themselves, figuring it was safer to take a small ship that could be more easily maneuvered as shore approached. Their pretext was to let down this skiff “as being about to extend anchors from the prow.”
 
Here is a new word, próra. It signifies the front of the ship, thus the bow or prow. It is derived from pro, to be in front of, which is where our modern prefix is derived from. One can see the logical movement from pro to próra, the prow.
 
The meaning of their action is that they were going to take anchors that were aboard it and carry them out from the ship a distance before dropping them in. This would allow for a greater angle on the line in relation to the ship.
 
However, the true intent was to take the skiff and get away from the massive hull of the larger ship which could come apart violently. In the skiff, they would find a spot that was safe to drive up to the shore saving themselves.
 
Life application: The actions of the sailors are a normal response by anyone who has only this life to look forward to. Even many Christians cling unnecessarily to this life, sacrificing personal dignity and respect for others in the process. It is the stuff of movies, but that is so because it is the normal human condition to want to save oneself, even at the expense of others.
 
However, there is another unnatural human condition that is often highlighted in books and movies: the self-sacrificing hero. The marine jumps on a grenade to save his friends, the father gives up his life for his family, or – most incredibly of all – the Creator becomes the Redeemer by uniting with His creation, sending His Son into the world to save it from the consequences of sin.
 
Because of Jesus, an eternal hope is given to those who believe in Him. From there, the Christian can faithfully trust that this life is not all there is. With an eternal hope, we should consider this life of far less value than that of betraying others to save ourselves for the sake of a temporary extension of our current walk in this fallen world.
 
Lord God, may we not be selfish or peevish in the face of troubles or disaster. Instead, may we faithfully trust that the events of this world cannot separate us from the promise of eternal life in Christ. Therefore, may our actions reflect this and be honorable before the eyes of all. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.