Chapter

Acts 27:10

ESV saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
NIV Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.'
NASB saying to them, 'Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.'
CSB and told them, "Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives."
NLT Men,' he said, 'I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on — shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.'
KJV And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

What does Acts 27:10 mean?

A ship headed to Rome carries Paul, his captors, and his companions. The winds have pushed the ship south to the southern coast of Crete. They are currently moored in the port of Fair Havens. Despite its idyllic name, Fair Havens is not sheltered enough to ride out the storms that strike the Mediterranean every winter. Lasea, now behind them, is. It's not clear why the owner didn't stop there. Ahead of them and around a point is Phoenix, which is also suitable. The owner and the pilot want to go on to Phoenix. Paul has been pestering the ship's commanders to stay in Fair Havens (Acts 27:9).

Paul isn't thinking of a supernatural storm like the one that struck Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:4). He has already been shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:25). His background experience tells him they're likely to lose cargo, ship, and lives. The owner and the shipmaster, however, know their ship. Phoenix is a good port; it makes sense to go there.

The centurion decides to trust the owner and pilot instead of keeping the prisoners in Fair Havens, and the ship sets sail. It goes well for only part of a day before strong winds from the northeast drive them toward Libya and the hidden sandbars there. This sends them into a fierce storm that threatens to fulfill Paul's dire prediction (Acts 27:13–20). But he no doubt prays. He apparently prays that God will grant him the lives of the crew and passengers (Acts 27:24). Although they do lose the ship and all the cargo, no one is killed (Acts 27:43–44).
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