Acts 27:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But how, someone will say, did they endure it without food, tasting nothing? Fear had seized them and did not allow them to feel the need for food, because they were in extreme danger.

They ate nothing because, amid so great a danger, they had no thought for food. The hunger was prolonged: "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued waiting without food, tasting nothing." From everything it is clear that they were near death.

See how Paul teaches them philosophy, as though in the Church, and saves them amid the very dangers. By God's dispensation they did not believe Paul at first, so that the events themselves would teach them to believe. And so it happened.

Let us consider how to find meaning in the divine mysteries. When the light of the first month spread forth, on the appointed day according to the commandment, the people were filled from the flesh of the lamb.

Having known its saving power, they became worthy of deliverance from Egyptian captivity (cf. Ex 12:1-13). In similar circumstances, Paul calls to a common table and to the eating of sanctifying food those whom he wishes to snatch from the whirlpool of this world.

He carefully follows in the footsteps of Moses. For one who seeks to understand the meaning of what they did, the actions are two. They differ in their signs, but are close in their causes, and the saving power of both begins from one source.

A most beautiful allegory appears in this passage, when Paul urges those who have been promised salvation from shipwreck to take food. In the midst of the night they were held by four anchors amid the assault of the waves. With the coming of day they reached the bay, because no one escapes the dangers of this age except the one who partakes of the Bread of Life. And he who, in the night of present afflictions, leans with all his strength on wisdom, fortitude, temperance, and righteousness will soon, with the Lord's help, reach the harbor of salvation that he sought. Then, freed from the cares of the age, he seeks only the flame of love that will melt his heart.

Yet Paul's words inspired trust in him and encouragement in only a few on the ship, and least of all in the sailors. Therefore, after fourteen days of stormy sailing, signs appeared that the ship was approaching some shore.

They then wanted to escape from the ship by means of the boat. They hoped that if the ship were broken against the shore, they would not perish with the others.

Pretending that they wanted to cast anchors from the bow, they began to lower the boat into the sea. But Paul perceived their intention and told the centurion that, if the ship were left without sailors, salvation would be impossible.

Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the boat. After this it fell away and was driven by the waves from the ship.

Now this danger of the sailors' flight had been removed, and land was thought to be near. The Apostle, who had so powerfully encouraged the spirit of his companions, again encourages them by assuring them that they will remain alive and unharmed. He advises them to strengthen themselves with food, so that at daybreak they may again set to work to save the ship from danger. "The fourteenth day" means from the time they sailed from Crete (v. 27). "You have continued without food, taking nothing" is an intensified, hyperbolic expression, used to give greater force to his persuasion.

In urging his companions to eat, the Apostle Paul shows tender care for them. At the same time he tries to strengthen them, for bread strengthens the heart of man (cf. Ps 103:15). They had not eaten for two weeks.

Therefore, together with the exhaustion of the body, their hearts had also grown faint. It is different when people do not eat voluntarily, abstaining for the Lord's sake. Then spirit, soul, and body are joined in harmonious service to God.

This wholly fills those who fast, for they are then spiritually nourished. The Gentile sailors could not even have desired such a fast. They fasted because of despair.

And so the Apostle, calming them, says that they will not only remain whole, but that not a hair from anyone's head will perish, apart from the will of God.