Acts 27:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See how, after such a storm, he speaks with them not in order to reproach them, but because he wishes them at least in the future to believe him. Therefore he presents what happened as a witness to the truth of what he is about to say. And see how neither the slowness nor the disasters of the voyage were fruitless for Paul. He made this time a time of teaching. It was no small matter if all these people believed. Do you see how greatly the storm and the darkness helped his exhortation? And do not be surprised that the sailors did not yet believe, but believed only afterward. They were rough people and slow to obedience. Notice how wisely Paul acts here too. He does not rebuke them and does not become irritated, but says meekly, You ought to have listened.

In saying this, he was not praising himself, but calling these men to faith. The sea raged so that, both through what had not been heard and through what was heard, the spiritual grace in Paul might be revealed.

In this hopeless situation, Paul alone remains firm in spirit and calmly faces the danger they are undergoing. After gently reproaching them for not following his advice to remain at Crete, he encourages everyone. He urges them to be calm and to strengthen themselves with food. He assures them that not one soul on the ship will perish. Only the ship will be lost, while the people will be cast upon some island, for this had been revealed to him by an angel of God.

In this grievous time, the hardship was increased because those on the ship had not eaten for a long time. Of course, this does not mean that they had eaten nothing at all, but that they had eaten little and irregularly. This was not from lack of provisions, since the ship was loaded with wheat; verse 38. It came from strong fear and anxiety, which reached the point of hopelessness. At this time the Apostle appears as the encourager of all. He breathes into them a spirit of patience, courage, and hope of salvation. After meekly reproaching them for not listening to his advice not to depart from Crete, the Apostle encourages them all. He tells them of the appearance of God's angel to him, with the assurance that none of those sailing would perish, but only the ship.

Expecting death and tormented by the storm, everyone had eaten nothing and had fallen into great despondency. And now Paul again comes forward, but with greater resolve. He firmly and decisively calms everyone, saying that none of the people will perish, but only the ship. At the same time he reminds them that they had listened to him in vain when he advised them not to leave Fair Havens. See, says Saint John Chrysostom, how after such a storm he speaks with them not in order to reproach them. Rather, he wishes them at least in the future to believe him. Therefore he presents what happened as testimony to the truth of what he is about to say. He foretells two things: that they will have to come out upon an island, and that the ship will perish while those sailing on it will be saved.