And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
The verse names the place where Paul and the shipwrecked company came ashore after escaping the sea as the island of Melita, later called Malta. The landing there concludes the voyage and shipwreck, set against the hardships and dangers of first-century sea travel. Nearly three hundred people reached land safely, and some joined Paul and his companions in thanking God for preserving their lives through the dangers of the sea.
Though its people were called barbarous, they kindly welcomed, received, and cared for the chilled survivors. After being driven to the island, Paul remained calm and helpful, gathering wood for a fire for the passengers. When a viper fastened on his hand he shook it into the fire without fear, trusting that God would keep it from harming him.
The sea journey and landing served God's purpose: the crew witnessed God's power through Paul, and the island's people heard about Jesus, with Paul's teaching and miracles leading many to believe. The people of Melita were in the depths of heathenism, without knowledge of God's written law and without ever having heard the name of Christ. Yet their kindness in receiving and protecting God's servants at the risk of their own lives reveals the working of God's Holy Spirit and divine power. The Holy Spirit had implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening a sympathy contrary to nature and contrary to education, for the Light which lights every man was shining in their souls, and if heeded that light will guide their feet to the kingdom of God.
The verse names the place where Paul and the shipwrecked company came ashore after escaping the sea as the island of Melita, later called Malta. The landing there concludes the voyage and shipwreck, set against the hardships and dangers of first-century sea travel. Nearly three hundred people reached land safely, and some joined Paul and his companions in thanking God for preserving their lives through the dangers of the sea.
Though its people were called barbarous, they kindly welcomed, received, and cared for the chilled survivors. After being driven to the island, Paul remained calm and helpful, gathering wood for a fire for the passengers. When a viper fastened on his hand he shook it into the fire without fear, trusting that God would keep it from harming him.
The sea journey and landing served God's purpose: the crew witnessed God's power through Paul, and the island's people heard about Jesus, with Paul's teaching and miracles leading many to believe. The people of Melita were in the depths of heathenism, without knowledge of God's written law and without ever having heard the name of Christ. Yet their kindness in receiving and protecting God's servants at the risk of their own lives reveals the working of God's Holy Spirit and divine power. The Holy Spirit had implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening a sympathy contrary to nature and contrary to education, for the Light which lights every man was shining in their souls, and if heeded that light will guide their feet to the kingdom of God.