Bible Commentaries

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

It was determined — First by God, Acts 23:11 , and then by the ordinary magistrate guided by God.

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And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

One Aristarchus, … — St Paul’s fellow traveller first, and then fellow prisoner too, yea, fellow worker unto the kingdom of God, and a great comfort to him, Colossians 4:10-11 Acts 19:29 ; Acts 20:4 , Optimum solatium, sodalitium. The best comfort was his co-workers. Therefore David so bewails the loss of Jonathan. St Paul counts it a singular mercy to him that Epaphroditus recovered, Philippians 2:27 . And St John found himself furthered and quickened by the graces of the elect lady, 2 John 1:12 .

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And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Liberty to go to his friend — A great favour: there is no small comfort in the communion of saints. This heathen persecutors knew, and therefore banished and confined the Christians to isles and mines, where they could not have access one to another. (Cyprian.)

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And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Because the winds, … — The Straits of Magellan is such a place, that which way soever a man bendeth his course (saith one) he shall be sure to have the wind against him.

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And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

And when we had sailed — These things are therefore particularly set down, that we may see Paul’s perils by sea no less than by land; and say with Solomon, "No man knoweth either love or hatred" by all that befalleth him, Ecclesiastes 9:1 . See Trapp on " Ecclesiastes 9:1 "

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And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

Sailing into Italy — To show that they had a terrible tempestuous time of it all along, from Sidon to Malta. So have the saints of God here, for the most part, ab utero ad urnam, from the womb to the tomb, from the birth to the burial. This made Solomon prefer his coffin before his cradle, Ecclesiastes 7:1 , yea, before his crown; as Queen Elizabeth also did; for indeed, this life is pestered with so many miseries and molestations, satanical and secular, that it were to be accounted little better than hell were it not for the hopes of heaven, that sweetest harbour and haven of happiness. (Bernard.)

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And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

Salmone — A high cliff of Crete. See Strabo, lib. ii., and the use of geography and other sciences, to the better understanding of the Scriptures.

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And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Called The fair havens — Which name it retains also at this day, Calos Limenas: for better cause, I believe, than the sea called Pacific, or calm, which Sir Francis Drake ever found rough and troublous above measure.

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