Acts 27:21
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
This verse belongs to Paul's sea voyage to Rome, when he was traveling as a prisoner with other prisoners under a centurion's charge. It is set in first-century seafaring, when sailors depended largely on the sun and stars for navigation, when storms made travel perilous, and when for part of the year safe navigation was almost impossible.
Paul speaks after a long period without eating and after fourteen days drifting under a sunless and starless sky. He stands on the deck in the midst of the panic-stricken company during a lull when the storm has eased enough for him to address them. He reminds them that they should have listened to his warning not to sail from Crete, and that leaving had brought harm and loss, with the present danger and loss confirming his warning.
Though himself suffering physically, he remains calm and fearless for himself, with his heart stayed on God and holding by faith to divine power. He holds words of hope for the darkest hour and help for every emergency, because he knows God will preserve him to reach Rome to witness for the truth of Christ. His heart is moved with pity and concern for the lives of those with him, whom he sees as sinful and unprepared to die, and he has prayed earnestly that God would spare their lives and received assurance that his prayer was granted. On that basis he urges them to take courage, promising that no one will die though the ship will be lost and that all aboard will be spared, and even in this crisis he speaks with courage and hope as a witness to God.