March 12th, 2022

Last week was the First Sunday in Lent, and we began to look at St. Paul’s trip to Rome in the last chapters of Acts as a positive thing. He had made a strong case for Christianity before King Agrippa, and now it was time to make that case before Caesar. And as Lent is a journey, these next weeks will be looking at that important journey of St. Paul to Rome.

This is the Second Sunday in Lent, and last Sunday’s writing laid the beginnings of a concrete way in which this trip to Rome by the under-arrest St. Paul has a positive perspective. St. Paul’s case before King Agrippa emphasized the words ‘day’ and ‘light’, and now, as the trip begins, we will be seeing an important emphasis on the wind. While it may not be deliberate, connections may be seen between this progression and a backward movement in the creation account from the start of the day (literally day one), to the creation of light, to the ‘Spirit’ (or ‘Wind’) of God that was on the face of the waters.

With that in mind, there have been some details given in St. Paul’s trip to Rome that have been considered unimportant. Some of the vocabulary is quite rare and obscure. (And although some details have been added below to make the text clearer, you may wish to read this text in another translation.) While many would consider some of these words to be unimportant, those within the account did not think that way. And this may be a good example of how God can be in the details.

So, finally, here is the somewhat-literal translation of Acts 27:1-20 that was promised last week:

And when it was judged, we sailed out into Italy, they delivered over both Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of a cohort of Augusta. And embarking on an Adramyttium ship, being about to sail into the along-the Asia-coast-places, we put out to sea, being with us, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.

And on another [day], we were led down into Sidon, and Julius was friendly to Paul, allowed to go to the friends, to receive care. And from there, putting out to sea, we sailed under [the lee of] Cyprus, because of the winds, being contrary. And sailing through the open sea, along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came down into Myra of Lycia.

And there, the centurion, having found an Alexandrian ship, sailing into Italy; he caused us to enter into it. And in many days, sailing slowly and with difficulty, along Cnidus; the wind not allowing us, we sailed under [the lee of] Crete along Salmone. And hardly sailing alongside it, we came into a certain place called "Good Havens", near to which was a city, Lasea.

And much time having passed, and the voyage being now dangerous, because now the fast [of the Day of Atonement, in September or October] already had gone by, Paul advised, saying to them, “Men, I behold that with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our lives, will about to be, the voyage.”

And the centurion was more persuaded by the steersman and the shipmaster rather than the things said by Paul. And the port, being unsuitable for wintering, the majority placed counsel to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having arrived at Phoenix, a port of Crete, to pass the winter, looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest.

And, blowing gently, a south wind, thinking the purpose to have secured, raising [anchor], they sailed closer along Crete. And after not much, rushed down from it [Crete] a typhoon wind called "Euraquilo". And the ship being seized, and not being able to face up against the wind, giving way, we were carried.

And running under [the lee of] a small island called Clauda, we were hardly able to get control of the boat, which taking helps, they used, undergirding the ship. And fearing that they might fall out [and run aground] into Syrtis, lowering the gear, thus they were carried.

And being exceedingly tempest-tossed, on the next [day], they made a jettison [of cargo], and on the third [day], with their own hands, they threw the gear of the ship.
And neither sun nor stars appearing over many days, and not a little stormy weather was lying down hard, finally all hope for us to be saved was taken away.

Did you notice, first of all, with St. Paul’s words above, that he saves the word ‘voyage’ for the very end of the sentence? That certainly emphasizes the importance of the event. And another point that should be made is that this is a very sad point on which to end. It is also a sad thing to say that a Christian hope is not present with some people today. If you can wait until next week, the next section is much more positive than this one. If you cannot wait, you may certainly read ahead in your Bible. And since St. Paul does eventually reach Rome, the good news about Jesus spreads—and it continues to do so.