Paul on the Storm-Tossed Ship with Roman Soldiersby IpswichSDA
27:16Acts 27:16
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
This verse belongs to a time when sea travel was especially perilous, when sailors steered largely by the sun and stars, when warnings of storms made shipowners fear to venture into the open sea, and when for part of the year safe navigation was almost impossible. It belongs to Paul's long and tedious voyage to Italy, endured as a prisoner in chains amid trying experiences. That hardship was greatly lightened by the permitted companionship of Luke and Aristarchus, Aristarchus by choice sharing Paul's bondage as fellow prisoner in order to minister to him in his afflictions.
Driven by the storm, the ship came under the shelter of the small island of Clauda, passing close under it. The island gave only brief shelter. There the sailors had much work and great difficulty bringing the boat aboard.
The boat was being towed behind as a lifeboat and was needed as a possible means of escape if the ship sank, but leaving it in tow risked its being smashed. After securing the boat, the crew took precautions to strengthen the ship and prepare it to withstand and endure the tempest. With those precautions taken, they had no refuge left and had to drift before the wind and waves.
The sea journey served God's purpose, in that the crew and other Gentiles on board witnessed God's power through Paul, heard the name of Jesus, and some were converted through his teaching and miracles.
This verse belongs to a time when sea travel was especially perilous, when sailors steered largely by the sun and stars, when warnings of storms made shipowners fear to venture into the open sea, and when for part of the year safe navigation was almost impossible. It belongs to Paul's long and tedious voyage to Italy, endured as a prisoner in chains amid trying experiences. That hardship was greatly lightened by the permitted companionship of Luke and Aristarchus, Aristarchus by choice sharing Paul's bondage as fellow prisoner in order to minister to him in his afflictions.
Driven by the storm, the ship came under the shelter of the small island of Clauda, passing close under it. The island gave only brief shelter. There the sailors had much work and great difficulty bringing the boat aboard.
The boat was being towed behind as a lifeboat and was needed as a possible means of escape if the ship sank, but leaving it in tow risked its being smashed. After securing the boat, the crew took precautions to strengthen the ship and prepare it to withstand and endure the tempest. With those precautions taken, they had no refuge left and had to drift before the wind and waves.
The sea journey served God's purpose, in that the crew and other Gentiles on board witnessed God's power through Paul, heard the name of Jesus, and some were converted through his teaching and miracles.