Paul Sails for Rome

271 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy , they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius . 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship , which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia , we put out to sea accompanied e by Aristarchus , a Macedonian of Thessalonica . 3 The next day we put in at Sidon ; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care . 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary . 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia , we landed at Myra in Lycia . 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy , and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days , and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus , since the wind did not permit us to go farther , we sailed under the shelter of Crete , off Salmone ; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens , near which was the city of Lasea . 9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous , since even the fast was already over , Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said 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 ." 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 27:1-11

Commentary on Acts 27:1-11

(Read Acts 27:1-11)

It was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there. The course they steered, and the places they touched at, are here set down. And God here encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him; for he can put it into the hearts of those to befriend them, from whom they least expect it. Sailors must make the best of the wind: and so must we all in our passage over the ocean of this world. When the winds are contrary, yet we must be getting forward as well as we can. Many who are not driven backward by cross providences, do not get forward by favourable providences. And many real Christians complain as to the concerns of their souls, that they have much ado to keep their ground. Every fair haven is not a safe haven. Many show respect to good ministers, who will not take their advice. But the event will convince sinners of the vanity of their hopes, and the folly of their conduct.