July 10, 2022
Acts 27:1-12
“Finally! To Rome!”
Service Overview: Finally, Paul boarded a ship for Rome. He was accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus at the very least. However, it was too late in the season to be in open water, and Paul, sensing the danger ahead, encourages the ship’s crew to hunker down for the winter. Nevertheless, the leaders of the voyage press on.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Background Information:
- One of the most remarkable sections of the New Testament is Acts 27. Luke was not a professional mariner or a member of the royal navy, yet historians have said that Acts 27 contains a masterful presentation of what took place in tempests on the Mediterranean Sea in the ancient world of shipping. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 369)
- Even in the best of times, the sea there was known for being treacherous. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location, 5010)
- Sidon was about seventy miles north of Caesarea, where this journey had begun. A brief stop in Sidon permitted the Christians there to provide food and supplies for Paul’s needs. The Christian community there probably originated with the dispersion of believers from Jerusalem after the death of Stephen (see 11:19). (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 434)
- Because considerable time had passed, including “the Fast” (the Day of Atonement, the tenth of Tishri, which in A.D. 59 was on October 5), Paul recognized that it would be dangerous to continue their voyage. He had been in three shipwrecks already (2 Cor. 11: 25), and he knew how dangerous winter storms could be. So he went to those in charge of the ship and advised them of the certainty of injury and “great loss” to the ship and its cargo, as well as of their lives if they continued. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Location 8975)
- Paul was perhaps included in the ship’s council because of his experiences in travel (cf. 2 Cor. 11:25, “three times I was shipwrecked”) and his natural leadership. Contrary to Paul’s advice the majority (Acts 27:11) decided it best to sail on to a more commodious harbor and to winter there. The authority rested ultimately in the hands of the centurion because grain ships were considered to be in government service. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 427)
- As we have seen, the ship was an Alexandrian corn ship. The owner would be rather the contractor who was bringing the cargo of corn to Rome. The centurion, being the senior officer on board, had the last word. It is significant that Paul, the prisoner under arrest, was allowed his say when counsel was being taken. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 183)
The question to answer…
If God wanted Paul in Rome so bad, why the rough journey in getting him there?
Answer…
Because faith rarely builds strength when things are easy.
What should stand out to us from this account?
- The accuracy and trustworthiness of God’s Word.
(v. 9 | Ps. 33:4; 56:4; 119:160; Prov. 29:25; 30:5; Is. 40:8; 55:11; Matthew 24:35; John 17:17)
Of special interest is the fact that every geographical and chronological detail of the story has long since been painstakingly scrutinized and found to be entirely accurate. The chapter becomes, therefore, one of the important evidences of the trustworthiness of the book. (Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 289)
There has been no time in the history of the church since the first century with less reason to affirm without reservation the historical accuracy of the New Testament. The ongoing criticism and assault against the Bible in our day is based on gratuitous hostility, not on science. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 369)
This account of Paul’s journey to Rome gives us one of the most interesting and factual accounts of a sea voyage and a shipwreck to be found anywhere in ancient literature. Luke uses “we” throughout the passage, so it is clear he was an eyewitness. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Location 8943)
- The vital role of companionship in Paul’s ministry.
(vv. 2-3 | Gen. 2:18; Prov. 27:17; Ecc. 4:9-12; John 15:13; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:8-10)
In addition to giving us the details of the beginning of the voyage to Rome, in this passage Luke shows us the provision of the Lord in the friends He gives us to help us. Paul was not left alone without encouraging and strengthening friends at any point in his ministry. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 342)
It has been suggested that there was only one way in which Aristarchus could have accompanied Paul on this last journey and that was by enrolling himself as Paul’s slave. It is probable that Aristarchus chose to act as the slave of Paul rather than be separated from him—and loyalty can go no further than that. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 181)
- The calm, yet rejected voice of reason Paul brings.
(vv. 9-11 | Proverbs 1:7; 11:14; 14:12; 16:25; Isaiah 41:10; James 3:17; 1 Peter 5:8)
The character of men is best revealed at times of great emergency or crisis. Paul stands forth as the man of practical good sense, great courage, human feelings, but supremely as the man of faith. (Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 289)
Conclusion… How can a text like this serve to encourage, bolster, or challenge our faith? By knowing that…
A. We can and should trust God’s Word.
(Ps. 33:4; Prov. 30:5; Is. 40:8; Jer. 17:7-8; Mat. 4:4; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12)
Trust always operates in the present tense. (E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer, 38)
Christianity presents itself as history. It’s not primarily just a list of ethical teachings or a body of philosophical musings or mystical “truths” or even a compendium of myths and fables. At its very heart, Christianity is a claim that something extraordinary has happened in the course of time—something concrete and real and historical. (Greg Gilbert, Why Trust the Bible, 20)
The genius of the Word of God is that it has staying power; it can stand up to repeated exposure. In fact, that’s why it is unlike any other book. You may be an expert in a given field. If you read a book in that field two or three times you’ve got it. You can put it on the shelf and move on to something else. But that’s never true of the Bible. Read it over and over again, and you’ll see things that you’ve never seen before. (Howard Hendricks, Living by the Book, 81)
B. Like Paul, others are vital for our journey as well.
(Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 27:9, 17; Ecc. 4:9-12; John 15:13; 1 Thes. 5:11; 1 Pet. 4:8-10)
“There are two things we cannot do alone. One is to be married and the other is to be a Christian.” -Paul Tournier (as quote by Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 433)
Aristarchus evidently accompanied Paul to be his helper. Aristarchus stayed with Paul during his Roman incarceration (Col. 4:10; Phile. 24). (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 427)
C. The storms we choose to sail into are not God’s fault.
(Proverbs 11:14; 14:12; 16:25; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7-8; 1 Pet. 5:8)
So many of our difficulties occur when we make foolhardy decisions and expect the Lord to get us out of our self-made problems. But also, often we find ourselves in difficulties caused by the wrong choices of others. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 345)
How often legitimate human desire overrules good judgment and sometimes, the previously known guidance of God! (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 290)
Sometimes we get ourselves into storms for the same reasons: impatience (Acts 27:9), accepting expert advice that is contrary to God’s will, following the majority, and trusting “ideal” conditions (Acts 27:13). “He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). It pays to listen to God’s Word. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 406)
Gospel Application…
To what is your faith anchored and will it hold when the storms of life come?
(Psalm 34:17-20; Nahum 1:7; Matt. 8:26; Phil. 4:19; Heb. 2:14; 6:19; 1 Pet. 3:18; 2 Pet. 3:9)
Often when things are going well we persuade ourselves that we are exempt from storms or that they will not affect us. But we are not, and they will. Then the question will be: Are you anchored to the Rock? Do you trust the One who is able to pilot you through those tempestuous seas? This was Paul’s experience. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 410)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- How have you experienced God’s Word as being trustworthy in your life?
- Looking back, what kinds of trials and/or “rough waters” have served to build your faith in the past?
- Who in your life do you have whom you can rely on for encouragement, insight, or advice? How has Christian companionship played a role in your faith journey?
- Have you ever neglected advice to your own peril? What was it like? What did you learn?
Quotes to note…
Some have wondered why Luke would devote such great emphasis to Paul’s journey to Rome, since—the argument goes—the narrative doesn’t really contribute to Luke’s overall theological purpose. The answer partly lies in the literary conventions of the time. Stories of sea voyages and shipwrecks were popular fare. Typically, heroes survived these epic dramas, while evil people didn’t. This story of Paul’s journey also gives modern-day readers an eyewitness account of the details of ancient sea travel. It shows that God’s sovereignty is at work in human history. Both in everyday occurrences and in heroic narratives, God’s work is being done. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary, 433)
Much may be learned from Luke’s portrayal of Paul’s character and behavior in circumstances in which the real man is most likely to be revealed. He portrays Paul in many roles throughout Acts, but here he shows him standing out as the practical man in a critical emergency—keeping his head when all about him are losing theirs. Not once or twice the world has had to thank the great saints and mystics for providing timely help in moments of crisis when realistic, practical men of affairs were unable to supply it. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 496)
Aristarchus was the man who had been dragged into the theater at the beginning of the riot in Ephesus (19:29; 20:4; Philemon 1:24). There is no evidence to suggest that Luke and Aristarchus had been arrested and would also be tried—they probably just wanted to support their friend and colleague in the gospel ministry. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 433)
Paul’s sea voyage to Rome was filled with high adventure, danger, disasters, and interventions of the Lord. Luke uses twice as many words describing the voyage to Rome as he does explaining what happened when Paul got there. He wants us to see his hero in still another set of difficult circumstances. And behind that, the beloved physician wants to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit, the risen Christ, to give calmness in the calamities of life, on land or sea. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 341)
So many of our problems are brought on by foolish or unguided decisions. And when trouble results, we blame God. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 345)
The Lord gives us intelligence and experience, as well as specific guidance. The problems Paul and the others had at sea were because the centurion denied all three. As we will see, Paul was right in not wanting to leave Fair Havens. And, as we shall also observe, the Lord intervened to help them in spite of the careless choice. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 345)
Though a prisoner, Paul is given considerable freedom. When he offers advice, he is listened to with courtesy and respect, even though his advice is not always followed. When Paul predicts disaster, he is not prophesying. He’s Simply speaking out of common sense. (Ray Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 315)