Acts 27:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All this was permitted so that afterward they would not remain in unbelief. A violent storm arose, great darkness fell, and, to save themselves from destruction, they cast out both the wheat and everything else. This is what the words mean: we threw the ship's gear overboard. When hunger began, Paul said, "You should have listened to me," and then they would have avoided harm. Do you see how greatly the storm and the darkness helped them to listen to him?

When the ship stopped in the bay of Fair Havens, the season was already late. The fast of the Day of Atonement had already passed, on the tenth day of the month Tishri, in the second half of September. The winter months, dangerous for navigation, had arrived. Paul had gained considerable experience in sea journeys during his apostolic travels. He advised them to spend the winter in Fair Havens. But this bay was unsuitable for wintering. Therefore the centurion, trusting the helmsman and the ship's master more, agreed to the advice of others. They wished, if possible, to reach the harbor of Phoenix for the winter. It lay on the same shore of Crete, but capes jutting into the sea protected it better from the southwest and northwest winds.

Everyone, not excluding the prisoners and therefore also the Apostle Paul, worked at the pumps until they were exhausted. Yet the water kept rising, and it became necessary to throw out the cargo, if only to lighten the ship somewhat.

For the same purpose, they threw the ship's gear overboard with their own hands. This probably means the more necessary items, such as tables, beds, and the like, together with things belonging to the passengers. The phrase "with their own hands" seems to indicate this. They spared nothing of their own for the common good and for whatever safety might still be possible.

The lightening of the ship began with throwing out the cargo, so that its destruction would not be immediate. Each person threw out his own belongings. Afterward the ship was carried over the waves more lightly and did not strike the shoals. But the rolling became stronger, and therefore the passengers' hardship increased. The heaviness of their condition was increased further because neither the sun by day nor the stars by night were visible. In cold mists and stormy waves they were carried about for days and nights, having lost hope of salvation, though not all equally. Yet even Paul's strong soul now needed strengthening, and this saved them all. All this is permitted by God, says Saint John Chrysostom, so that afterward they might not remain in unbelief. A violent storm arises, great darkness comes, and for salvation from destruction the wheat and everything else are thrown overboard.