BIBLE IN TEN

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.
 

Acts 27:29

Thursday, 16 May 2024
 
Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. Acts 27:29
 
The Greek more literally reads, “And fearing, lest perhaps we might fall into rough places, having cast four anchors out of the stern they were wishing for day to come” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, soundings had been taken, finding first twenty fathoms and then fifteen. Because of that, the sailors assumed land was not far off. As it was still night, it next says, “And fearing, lest perhaps we might fall into rough places.”
 
The word is trachus. It is used for the second and last time, having first been used in Luke 3:5. It signifies rough, rugged, or uneven. Saying “rocky” is a bit of a paraphrase, even if it is correct.
 
The sailors were afraid that the ship would crash onto an unfriendly reef or shore. If so, this could be disastrous for those on the ship. Therefore, they wanted to slow down the ship so that the force of such a crash would be lessened.  To do this, it next says, “having cast four anchors out of the stern.”
 
Another word is used for the last time, rhiptó, to cast, scatter, etc. It gives the sense of sudden motion, as if in flinging. They had four anchors which they chucked out of the stern. This would increase the drag on the ship and cause it to lumber more slowly as it approached the land.
 
And more, the violence of the storm necessitated this full complement of anchors to be cast in. Doing this from the stern would eliminate the danger of having the ship swing around and be brought into any rock or reef. It would also mean that it would be in the best alignment for running the ship up onto any visible beach once daylight came. Along with that, it says, “they were wishing for day to come.”
 
The word used can mean to either wish or pray. As praying wouldn’t make the day come any sooner, it probably is better translated as wish. However, even the sailors in Jonah's adventure did pray out to their gods. And Joshua did pray for the moon to stand still over the valley of Aijalon during his battle, so that translation is not out of the question.
 
Life application: Hebrews 6, using the word agkura, or anchor, says this –
 
“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
 
If we truly possess the anchor of hope in Christ, we will never get swung around when troubles aplenty come our way. We will remain steadfast and properly directed, even in the greatest storms of life. The rocky shores may be out there, but our direction will remain unchanged, and we will have the certainty that God will direct us safely to the soft and pleasant shores of a land we have yet to see.
 
This doesn’t mean we won’t get there if our faith is weak. If we believe in Jesus, having received Him, we shall arrive. But think of the difference between Paul and maybe a new believer on the ship.
 
Paul had already been told they would be delivered. He knew it would come to pass, and there would be no question in his mind it was so. However, Sam Shipwright may have heard and believed the message of Jesus, but his hope was not yet as grounded as Paul’s.
 
There he would be, fearful of the coming shoreline and the trials they might face once they were cast upon it. Paul’s hope is grounded, and his anchor holds. Sam’s is not and he is still like his own little ship being cast about on the waters of uncertainty.
 
How grounded is your faith? Do you completely and fully trust every word of Scripture and that it will come about just as you have read? Do you even know all the promises contained there? You can’t, unless you read the Bible. And your faith can only increase through trusting the Lord with every aspect of your existence.
 
Have faith and read your Bible. This will be a great line that connects you to the anchor of hope that will rest your otherwise troubled soul.
 
Lord God, may our faith be increased from day to day as we learn to trust You and Your word. Give us the desire to know You more and more. May our anchor hold fast and may the line of our knowledge and trust be sure and sound. Help us in this, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 27:28

Wednesday, 15 May 2024
 
And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. Acts 27:28
 
More literally, it reads, “And, having sounded, they found twenty fathoms. And having distanced a little, having sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms” (CG).
 
In the last verse, the sailors sensed that they were approaching land. To confirm this, it next says, “And, having sounded, they found twenty fathoms.”
 
Here are two words found only in this verse. Each is used twice by Luke. The first is bolizó. It is derived from bolis, a dart or a javelin. In this case, it is something like a dart that is attached to a line. When it is cast out, it sinks directly to the bottom.
 
The distance until it stops is then measured. That measurement is known as an orguia. This word signifies “outstretched.” HELPS Word Studies notes that it was “originally the distance between the tips of the left and right hands when outstretched; a fathom, the unit of measure (roughly) five to six feet long.”
 
Assuming six feet, the depth would then be about one hundred and twenty feet deep. Once that was determined, a baseline is now set to know if it is getting deeper or shallower. Thus, it next says, “And having distanced a little.”
 
This is a word used for the third and last time, diistémi. It signifies to set apart, make an interval, etc. It can be used for time, such as waiting for an hour to elapse, or space, such as being separated from another person. In this case, it includes both.
 
They waited a certain amount of time which would have meant a certain distance had been traversed. After this interval, Luke next records, “having sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms.”
 
The depth is now about ninety feet. By taking soundings and finding that the depth was decreasing, the logical deduction is that they were approaching land. It would be welcome to know that there was land nearby after such a long, agonizing time.
 
And yet, it would be a fearsome thing knowing that land was near while it was still the middle of the night. Due to Paul’s words that they would be shipwrecked on some island, some level of fear factor may have set in, even if they had been assured that all would survive.
 
Life application: Paul had told those on the ship what would take place. Depending on who trusted his words, there would be anything from relief at the coming end of the ordeal to mild trepidation about how it would transpire, or even to fear in some measure knowing that any type of greeting may meet them, from a sandy shore to a rocky reef or a high cliff.
 
Paul was an apostle of Jesus. Because of this, he was conveying words that ultimately came from the Lord. Luke, for example, may have pulled out a harmonica and started playing a song, knowing that standing on firm, dry ground was not far off.
 
We have the words of Paul written down. At times, they have come directly from Jesus. At others they came while being under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Either way, they have come from God. When Paul writes that God will receive those who have died in Christ, raising them from the dead and bringing them to Himself, how do we personally take the otherwise bad news of an incurable malady or disease?
 
Will you be filled with terror, mild trepidation, or will you pull out a harmonica and play a tune to the Lord? The attitude you display will reflect just how much you trust the words of Scripture which reveal the promises of God.
 
The words of Scripture are true. Unless the rapture occurs, we are all going to die. There is no escaping this. So don’t be frustrated at the news that you or a saved loved one has come to the point where death is not far off. The Lord already has a plan for retrieving you or your loved one from that state. Without a doubt, it will come about.
 
Lord God Almighty, You have the days of our lives already numbered and set. You know how our departure will come about at the end of this earthly life. And You already have the moment of our resurrection set and prepared. Why should we worry when we know these things are true? Hallelujah that You have a plan. Amen.

Acts 27:27

Tuesday, 14 May 2024
 
Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. Acts 27:27
 
A more literal rendering is, “And when the fourteenth night came, we – being carried through in the Adriatic – about the middle of the night, the sailors suspected some land to approach them” (CG).
 
Paul just told those on the ship that they must run aground on a certain island. Now, immediately after that, it says, “And when the fourteenth night came.” This fourteenth day is generally accepted to be from the time that they left Fair Havens. They had planned on a short trip from there to Phoenix, and yet they were quickly swept up into fourteen days of terror on the high seas.
 
The word translated as fourteenth is tessareskaidekatos. It is found only here and in verse 27:33. It is derived from three words, tessares (four), kai (and), and dekatos (tenth). On this fourteenth day, Luke next says, “we – being carried through in the Adriatic.”
 
The Adriatic Sea, or in Greek, “the Adria,” which is found only here in the New Testament, indicates an area larger than it now does. Today, the Adriatic Sea is the sea which is to the east of Italy, with Croatia, Montenegro, and Albanian on the other shore.
 
However, the term here indicates the whole sea between Greece and Italy which included Sicily. Josephus wrote of his own shipwreck in the Adria, and he uses the area in the same sense as Luke does here. While being tossed about in this great, open body of water, it next says, “about the middle of the night.”
 
It is an approximation of the time, but the point of Luke’s words is that the sailors on the ship were busy doing their regular duties, even though the ship was being driven by the wind and waves. One of those regular duties was taking soundings and observing the way the waves and tides were moving. While so engaged, it next says, “the sailors suspected some land to approach them.”
 
Here, Luke introduces a new word, nautés. It signifies a sailor or shipman. It will be seen again in verse 27:30 and once in Revelation 18:17. It comes from naus, a ship or vessel. That will be seen only in verse 27:41.
 
The sailors were trained to know the changes in the environment around them, including what was going on around and under them. While being tossed back and forth in this larger area at midnight on their fourteenth day, they could tell land was close by.
 
This was possibly because of hearing breakers or being able to determine the way the sea moves and appears closer to land. The wording is more nautical than many English translations which place the movement on the part of the ship as it approaches the land. Instead, the Greek puts the movement on the land as it approaches the ship.
 
Life application: The sailors were trained to tell what was going on around them in relation to the sea. An inexperienced person would not notice these subtle changes. This is true with any job.
 
A wastewater operator can tell by observing a sample of a million-gallon tank if the contents are healthy or not by simply checking the amount of dissolved oxygen that is in the tank and through a quick microscopic check of the types of bacteria that are thriving.
 
These things take experience and constant attention to what the job entails. The Bible is a manual for man to understand his surroundings, to get a comprehension of what is going on in relation to sin, to God’s prophetic timeline, and so forth. One cannot rightly pay attention to these things if he is not aware of what the manual says.
 
And more, one cannot tell what is his state, the state of his family, the state of his church, and even of the world around him if he is not carefully observing these things based on the knowledge the Bible provides. If constantly checking microorganisms in a sample of a tank of wastewater is important, how much more important is it for that same person to continuously check the state of his relationship with the Lord?
 
Let us pay heed and give the necessary time it takes each day to learn more about this most important of all issues.
 
Lord God, may our lives be filled with pursuing the knowledge of You more and more. May we never fail to check with the Bible on issues relating to the things it teaches, becoming attuned to the state of things around us at all times. It is a sure way to keep from the harms that are bound to arise in this fallen world. Thank You for Your word, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 27:26

Monday, 13 May 2024
 
“However, we must run aground on a certain island.” Acts 27:26
 
A literal rendering of the Greek is, “But we must fall onto a certain island” (CG).
 
Paul had just provided encouraging words to those gathered on the ship, noting that he was certain that what he was told by the messenger would come to pass. With that good news stated, he prepares them for a challenge ahead, saying, “But we must fall onto a certain island.”
 
His words are given as confirmation that his story about the angel will be proven true. Not only was he spoken to and given assurances concerning the saving of the people and the loss of the ship, but he was also given a specific revelation to bolster his words.
 
He notes that they “must’ fall upon a certain island. The word is dei. HELPS Word Studies notes that it indicates what must happen. It is that which is inevitable by “absolute necessity.”
 
Paul is speaking as the ambassador of God. If Paul’s God is the true God, then His credentials will be verified when these things come to pass. The idea of what is occurring in this verse is the same as that found in John 20:31 where John says, “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
 
Life application: How much proof do you need that what God says will come to pass will actually occur? We have the word recorded. It spoke of the coming Christ, and He came. The things prophesied about His first coming have been fulfilled.
 
It is true that this could all be an elaborate plan by a group of men to make events match their writings by making up the details of Jesus’ life. But there are so many things in the New Testament that intricately work into the writings that this hardly seems possible. There are many types of patterns that were never known about for centuries after the books were written.
 
And yet, people still question if the word is true. But suddenly, the Jewish people started to be called back to the land of Israel. They were then reestablished as a nation. The prophecies about these things occurring are found in both testaments.
 
The word is again proving itself true. However, even people within the church say that the Israel of today is merely an aberration or that these are not the true Jews who belong in the land. Imagine that! People who are supposed to accept the prophetic words in Scripture as a point of it validating itself deny what the word proclaimed!
 
How much evidence do you need to say, “This is the word of God, and I will trust it.”? Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Read the word, think about what it says, and see if what it proclaims matches what is going on in the world around you. If you are honest, you will find that it does so in a thousand different ways. No! Even more. Have faith. We have a sure word.
 
Lord God, may our hard hearts soften with the evidence that we see in Scripture. If we just read it and compare it with how things are in the world, we can clearly see that it is from You, and it is given to lead us back to You. May we carefully and thoughtfully consider this precious word all the days of our lives. Amen.

Acts 27:25

Sunday, 12 May 2024
 
“Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. Acts 27:25
 
A literal translation is, “Therefore, be cheerful, men. For I believe God, that thus it will be even as it has been told me” (CG).
 
Paul just told those on the ship the good news that he and all on the ship would be spared. With that stated, he now says, “Therefore, be cheerful, men.”
 
Addressing them as men is asking them to act as men should act. But more, after the long days and nights of terrifying sounds and motions, lack of sleep, deprivation of food, and so forth, Paul’s words would have been like a glass of cold water in a hot dry desert.
 
To hear someone speak of being cheerful in such circumstances could only lighten other’s hearts. Further, he continues with, “For I believe God.”
 
Those who knew Paul already understood this about him, but with his claim of having seen a messenger and having been given the promise of being saved, they could combine what they knew of his general faith with what he had specifically stated. If Paul continued to believe God at this point, then he would have no reason to have made up a story like this, the substance of his faith being “that thus it will be even as it has been told me.”
 
His words contain a perfect participle. It was told to him and the effects of what he was told continue on to the present time. Paul stands grounded in the reliability of the words that were spoken to him.
 
His words of encouragement to them are a sign of his faith in the sure promises of his God. In showing faith, he is implying that they should likewise have faith that his words are true. It would do no good to witness to another and not demonstrate confidence in what is being conveyed. As Bengel says, “Faith exercised towards the (word of the) angel of GOD, is exercised towards GOD.”
 
Life application: Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Paul had not yet seen the salvation of those on the ship, but because of his faith in what God had conveyed to him, he had absolute faith that it would come about.
 
We believed the gospel, even though we didn’t see Jesus die on the cross and return to life. This event became an anchor of hope for us. But how far will our faith then take us? God says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Do we believe that when we are facing the greatest crisis? Will we believe it when our life is about to end?
 
For such times, the word says that God will raise the dead when He comes. Will we cling to that promise as our end draws near? We should be living out our faith from moment to moment, always trusting and always increasing our faith by acknowledging God’s hand in everything that occurs. Eventually, nothing that would normally shake the hardiest soul will faze us.
 
It is as much a mental attitude directed toward God and His promises as anything else. If we can trust that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we can continue to trust and consider everything else that God promises in His word. Let us do so in ever-increasing amounts.
 
Lord God, may we steadfastly and resolutely cling to the promises in Your word, ever solidifying them in our consciences, even until they are as real to us as the ground under our feet. May Your word be a foundation for our lives at all times. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Acts 27:24

Saturday, 11 May 2024
 
“saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:24
 
With a few tweaks, the Greek more closely reads, “Saying, ‘Fear not, Paul. It behooves you to stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those sailing with you’” (CG).
 
Paul just told those gathered with him that a messenger of the God stood by him. Now he continues his thought with, “Saying, ‘Fear not, Paul.’”
 
Similar words are seen throughout Scripture when reassurance is needed in one of God’s people. Daniel 10:12 and Matthew 28:5 are two examples prior to Paul’s time. Revelation 1:17 comes after his time, and it will also provide the same needed help for the apostle John.
 
Further, this address is more personal than many others as Paul is addressed by name. Along with this, the reason for the admonition is given, “It behooves you to stand before Caesar.”
 
In other words, this is what is predominantly on the Lord’s mind concerning the entire ordeal, meaning the advancement of the gospel message, and that through Paul. God’s foreknowledge of all things means that He knows exactly what is needed at every moment to direct the affairs of man according to His predetermined purposes.
 
Paul was an integral part of the plan at this point in time, and he would live through the ordeal in order to continue to effect the outcome of what God had determined. His salvation from this ordeal was necessary for these things to come about, but even more, and what certainly points to where Paul’s prayers had actually been placed, he is told, “And behold, God has granted you all those sailing with you.”
 
Paul’s concern while on his knees in prayer was not for himself. It was for the lost souls on the ship who needed a Savior before they perished. If this ordeal could bring them to understand the truth of Paul’s message, then so be it. And in fact, this is now promised.
 
Whether they accept the message or not, the validity of his words concerning his God could not be disputed. It is of note that the exact opposite of what occurs here is mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14, 14, 18, and 20. Paul’s status was sufficient to save those around him, whereas the status of those in Ezekiel’s time was only sufficient to save themselves.
 
Life application: One can consider the difference between the examples in Ezekiel 14 and those of Paul’s situation here. In thinking about it, we can see that the law brings condemnation but God’s grace in Christ brings salvation.
 
Those living under the law had the weight and burden of the law stacked against them. If they appealed to the law for their hope, they would find it only brings condemnation. However, even those under the law could appeal for God’s mercy. David discovered this.
 
He knew that the law demanded satisfaction. Therefore, he didn’t appeal to the law, lest he be swept away. When he was found to have done wrong, he appealed to God’s forgiveness in his displaying of a heartfelt, internal remorse –
 
“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,The God of my salvation,And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips,And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;You do not delight in burnt offering.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:14-17
 
Lord God, thank You for Your grace, displayed in the giving of Your Son for us. May we cling to the cross and lay the entirety of our sin there. May our hearts be purified through remorse at the wrongdoings we commit in Your presence as we proceed forward in our salvation. May we never use Your grace as a license to continue sinning. Amen.
 

Acts 27:23

Friday, 10 May 2024
 
“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, Acts 27:23
 
A bit more literally, it reads, “For a messenger of the God stood by me this night, whose I am and whom I serve” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Paul told those gathered on the ship to be of good cheer because there would be no loss of life. Only the ship would be lost. Now, to explain how he knows this, he says, “For a messenger of the God.”
 
The Greek word aggelos means a messenger. It can be human or divine. In this case, there is no indication which it is. One could say, “Obviously it was a non-human angel from heaven because they are on a ship at sea.” However, it could be one of the two anointed ones noted in Zechariah 4, who are surely humans. As it is, a messenger of the God came to Paul and, he says, “stood by me this night.”
 
The words would otherwise be incredible unless one is willing to believe in the supernatural. How could a messenger come to a person on a ship that has been lost at sea for an extended period of time, even while the sea raged and roared around them?
 
And yet, this is the claim Paul has made. Therefore, those gathered must decide if he is bonkers or if he is telling the truth. The fact that the messenger waited this long, however, is its own sort of validation. Why would God allow the ship to be tossed around so long and then send a messenger, unless what he says to Paul is true?
 
The people had, as it said already, given up all hope of being saved. And yet, there is suddenly a ray of hope shining through to them. With their physical and mental strength completely used up, this would have a much more profound effect on them. Where their works had failed them, a note of grace is extended from above, and it has come from the God, as Paul says, “whose I am and whom I serve.”
 
Paul is a Hebrew. The people on the ship would probably have known this. But at least those in charge were aware of it. The words are not unlike the account of Jonah. There is a difference, however. In Jonah, the remedy was to cast Jonah into the sea. That was an anticipatory type of Christ. With Paul, he is a servant of Christ Jesus.
 
Instead of being the instrument of the salvation of those on the ship, as Jonah was when he was cast into the sea, Paul’s God will bring about their salvation apart from any effort of, or use for, Paul. The types of the past, seen in Jonah, are no longer needed. Christ has come. Paul serves Him, and He will provide the delivery.
 
Life application: Notice the difference in the KJV and NKJV in these words –
 
KJV – the angel of God.
NKJV – an angel of the God.
 
In the Greek, there is no article before angel (messenger), but there is one before God. Therefore, either way, the KJV is wrong. However, the NKJV, despite having the articles right, might lead someone to a false understanding of what the intent of Paul’s words is. Look now at the difference between the placement of the words by the NKJV, the YLT, the SLT, and the CGT –
 
NKJV – For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.
 
YLT – for there stood by me this night a messenger of God -- whose I am, and whom I serve.
 
SLT – For the messenger of God stood by me in this night, whose I am, and whom I serve.
 
CGV – For a messenger of the God stood by me this night, whose I am and whom I serve.
 
The NKJV directly connects the words “of the God” to “to whom I belong and whom I serve. This could then lead to a false conclusion, that Paul’s God is one of many.
 
Regardless of the use of the article before God, the other three separate the thoughts. Thus, it separates the thought of God and man in the mind of the reader. The SLT and YLT chose not to include the word “the” before God.
 
This is a common way of treating the article when it is before God, especially in a verse where it is understood that there is one God. However, including the article as the CGT does is perfectly acceptable because of the separation of the God and Paul in the clauses.
 
As for the article before “messenger” in the SLT version, that is incorrect and should not have been included. Likewise, the word “there” in the YLT should have been italicized as it is not in the Greek. Despite this, the order of the words in the Greek is more closely matched by the YLT than the CGT.
 
Here is the exact order of the Greek: 
 
παρέστη γάρ μοι τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ οὗ εἰμι ᾧ καὶ λατρεύω
(Stood by) for me the night this messenger the God whose (I am) whom and (I serve).
 
Now it is your turn to look at the words and see how you would make them fit both the intent and the English so that it is understandable. Test at 9. Be ready...
 
Lord God Almighty, may we carefully and respectfully contemplate Your word. There is intent in how it is presented, but there is also a need for it to be understandable to us. Help us to have the two match in our minds so that our thoughts about You are correct. We want to know You and Your word intimately. So be with us in our time in fellowship with You through Your word. Amen.

Acts 27:22

Thursday, 9 May 2024
 
“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:22
 
A literal rendering of the Greek would be, “And now, I admonish you to be cheerful, for there will be no off-casting of soul from you, except the ship” (CG).
 
Paul had just noted that those on the ship should have listened to him and stayed in Crete. By doing so, they would not have incurred the damage and loss that was now being experienced. Now, having set forth that his words are worth listening to, he will provide good news to the worn-out people before him, saying, “And now, I admonish you.”
 
Paul uses the same word, translated as “admonish,” that Luke used to describe Paul’s words in verse 27:9 –
 
“And much time having elapsed, and the sailing being already dangerous – and the Fast already passed by – Paul admonished” (CG).
 
This is the second and last time the word is used in Scripture, paraineó. It means to exhort or advise. However, HELPS Word Studies notes that it is “to urge acknowledging what is praiseworthy, i.e. ‘recommend, advise, urge.’” It is an up close and personal form of admonishment.
 
One can see that when Luke penned Acts, he remembered Paul’s word and used it in verse 27:9 when giving his narrative about what Paul would say now in verse 27:22. Luke’s precision of recording events and even single words is highlighted in this. Next, Paul says for them, “to be cheerful.”
 
It is another new word in Scripture, euthumeó. HELPS Word Studies says it is used “to show positive passion as it proceeds from a sound disposition.” It will be used again in verse 27:25 and once in James 5:13.
 
The people were certainly disheartened and dejected of soul, having (as it said in verse 20) no hope of being saved. But Paul now tells them to have this positive passion and be cheerycherry in their disposition because, as he next says, “for there will be no off-casting of soul from you, except the ship.”
 
And, once again, Luke uses a new word, apobolé. It comes from two words meaning “away” and “cast.” Thus, “off-casting” is an exacting translation. This word is found only one more time, in Romans 11:15 when speaking of Israel –
 
“For if their being cast away [apobolé] is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”
 
As for Paul’s words to the people, the good news is that no person’s soul would be cast away. Every person aboard would survive the ordeal. However, the bad news is that the ship would be lost. This then would mean that all of the cargo would be lost as well.
 
Those who owned and operated the ship would receive their lives as a prize, but nothing more. It is not unlike the word of the Lord spoken to Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch –
 
“The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the instruction of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, 2 ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 3 “You said, ‘Woe is me now! For the Lord has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.’”’
4 ‘Thus you shall say to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’ says the Lord. ‘But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.’”’” Jeremiah 45:1-5
 
Life application: For those who owned the ship and/or the cargo, the lesson is similar to that of verse 37:19. What value are the things of the world in comparison to life itself? If the ship were saved, but the owner was lost, it would mean nothing to the owner that the ship was saved.
 
And, like those on the ship, the Lord has said that He would lose none of those who would come to Him. Difficult times have come to many, but in the end, all will safely arrive on the promised shores of His safe haven.
 
Should you be facing great loss in some way, remember that this is a fallen world and that difficult times are inevitable. But God promises us something better. Hold fast to that thought should things get out of control. Wonderful times of rest are ahead for the weary soul.
 
Heavenly Father, may we hold fast to the sure promises that Your word has given us because of Jesus. No matter how good things are at any given moment, total loss or great sadness may be just around the corner. If we can remember to fix our eyes on Jesus now, then should such things come to pass, we will already have our attention focused properly. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Acts 27:21

Wednesday, 8 May 2024
 
But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. Acts 27:21
 
More literally, “And being much abstinence then, Paul having stood in their midst, said, ‘Indeed, O men, you ought to have hearkened to me not to go up from Crete, and to gain this disaster and loss’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Luke noted that it had been many days without sun or stars while the tempest beat upon them. This led to the point where they had given up all hope. With that noted, he now records Paul’s words, beginning with, “And being much abstinence then.”
 
The abstinence from food that is mentioned here is probably as much because of having thrown over the equipment as for any other reason. This may have included much of the cooking equipment, and so the people on the ship would have been put on reduced rations of things that didn’t need to be cooked.
 
The Pulpit Commentary argues that the word translated as “abstinence,” asitia, “is only found here in the Bible; but it was the common medical term for loss of the appetite, and such is the most natural rendering here. There is nothing about ‘long abstinence’ in the text.”
 
Their comment, however, does not square with the words of Paul in verse 33. There was, in fact, a long abstinence and the people were certainly weak from the lack of food. Despite this, Paul was both strengthened in the Lord and an encouragement to them. But before he encourages, Luke says, “Paul having stood in their midst, said, ‘Indeed, O men, you ought to have hearkened to me.’”
 
This isn’t Paul rubbing their bad decision in the faces. Rather, it is an obvious truth that he did his best to get them to avoid disaster. They didn’t listen and his words were vindicated. As such, his coming words should be listened to and accepted. To remind them of what occurred before he gives his encouragement, he says he told them “not to go up from Crete.”
 
As has been seen several times in Acts, to depart from land is thought of as going up. That is akin to our terminology of heading out to the high seas. They were safely in a harbor, and they were warned not to go up from it. The reason Paul recommended staying was, as he says, “and to gain this disaster and loss.”
 
He uses the same two words that were introduced into the Bible in Acts 27:10, hubris and zémia, translated as disaster and loss. It may sound odd to say, “gain this disaster and loss,” but this is exactly what has happened. They have lost their cargo and ship and have, in place of them, gained disaster and loss – at least experientially.
 
Again, Paul is not holding this tragedy over them. Instead, he is demonstrating to them that he isn’t just a lunatic, incapable of making a reasonable deduction about the events which were certainly to come upon them.
 
This is readying them for his next words where he will prophesy to all on the ship. Being sane enough to make a reasonable recommendation concerning what would occur by leaving Crete, his words of prophecy would be taken, not as from a nut job, but from a person of sound mind.
 
Life application: When our words are found to be reliable, we will tend to be more likely to get the ears of others. If what we say is inconsistent, not based in reality, or false, the chances of people listening to us will normally be greatly diminished or non-existent.
 
Having said that, this doesn’t seem to apply to politicians or sensationalist teachers, regardless of what they say. Such people can lie through their teeth or claim things that never happened, and their words are simply ignored by those who follow them. Instead, they want to hear certain things and will shut out any falsity that comes their way as if it isn’t important.
 
Therefore, we need to really stand back and evaluate ourselves and determine if we are allowing lies to fill our minds simply because we agree with an overall agenda or approach to life. If so, we need to forcibly restrict ourselves from allowing this to happen.
 
What we should hear and accept is nothing but the truth. If we allow falsity of whatever kind to rule our thoughts, we are opening ourselves up to real trouble and even disaster. History has proven this true time and again. Be on guard concerning what you will accept and who you will listen to.
 
Lord God, You expect us to be truthful. You also surely want us to only accept what is truthful. And so, Lord, give us wisdom to identify those times when we are willing to accept falsity and weed that out of our lives. May our lives be dedicated to right thinking and words that are based upon reality and truth. Amen.