Bible Study series: Acts 27:39-44. Through the storm, and after following Paul’s instruction, and by God’s mercy and will, everyone landed safely. But where were they?
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In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 27:39-44
39 When day came, they did not recognize land, but they spotted a certain bay having a beach, into which they planned, if possible, to drive the ship. 40 And they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea, and at the same time they slackened the ropes to the rudders and hoisted the foresail to the wind and steered to the beach. 41 They hit a sandbar and ground the ship. The bow got stuck and stayed without moving, while the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 The plan of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, so that no one would swim away and escape. 43 But because the centurion planned to save Paul, he prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered the ones who could swim to jump overboard first and go for land. 44 And the rest could be on the planks and other things from the ship. And so it happened that everyone safely reached land. (Acts 27:39-44)
Comments:
39-41:
“recognize”: it is the verb epiginōskō (pronounced eh-pea-gee-noh-skoh, and the “g” is hard as in “get,” and it is used 44 times in the NT). In any case here are the basic meanings, depending on the context: (1) “know exactly, completely”; “know again, recognize”; “acknowledge’; (2) “know, learn, find out, ascertain; notice; perceive, learn of; understand, know, learn to know.” Either “perceive” or “recognize” works here.
“planned”: this comes from the stem boul– (pronounced bool). Its basic meaning is “plan” or “purpose.” I translated it as “planned” consistently through the end of this chapter (see vv. 42-43). See v. 12 for more comments.
The bow is the front of the ship, and the stern is the back end (I had to look it up!).
42:
Luke uses the same root boul– (pronounced bool), and in a noun or verb it means “plan” or “purpose.” I translated it by the one word “plan” or “planning” (v. 43). See v. 12 for more comments. Also see v. 39.
The soldiers’ plan was awful, but they might get executed if their prisoners escaped.
God gave Paul favor through Julius the centurion. And once again, Paul was the spiritual leader onboard.
43:
“swim”: many people, even sailors, did not know how to swim back then, and throughout maritime history.
“save”: the verb is diasōzō (pronounced dee-ah-soh-zoh), it literally means “save through.” It means to bring someone through to the other side, safely and soundly. Its related verb sōzō is standard for “save,” as in people being saved and healed through Christ. The verb and noun are very versatile. See v. 20 for more comments.
I translated it at first as “saved through,” but opted for the safer translation; nonetheless, the centurion wanted to bring Paul all the way through to Rome. This is God’s favor on Paul through the centurion. God can work through anyone.
44:
“safely reached”: this is the same verb diasōzō, and see vv. 20 and 43 for more comments. Everyone was saved through to land. The angel was right, and Paul’s faith was well placed—in God.
Remember this promise (see vv. 23, 24)?
The next night the Lord stood before him and said, “Take courage, for as you testified to the things about me in Jerusalem, in the same way you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)
We are not in Rome yet, but Jesus promised Paul would get to Rome, and he survived the storm, by the grace of God. Be sure you are in the middle of God’s will. Hang on to his personal promise to you. He will see you through.
GrowApp for Acts 27:39-44
1. God saw them through the storm. Which storm has God seen you through? How did he do this? What purpose did the storm serve? Tell your story.
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
For the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:
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