Acts 27:24

Saturday, 11 May 2024

“saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:24

With a few tweaks, the Greek more closely reads, “Saying, ‘Fear not, Paul. It behooves you to stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those sailing with you’” (CG).

Paul just told those gathered with him that a messenger of the God stood by him. Now he continues his thought with, “Saying, ‘Fear not, Paul.’”

Similar words are seen throughout Scripture when reassurance is needed in one of God’s people. Daniel 10:12 and Matthew 28:5 are two examples prior to Paul’s time. Revelation 1:17 comes after his time, and it will also provide the same needed help for the apostle John.

Further, this address is more personal than many others as Paul is addressed by name. Along with this, the reason for the admonition is given, “It behooves you to stand before Caesar.”

In other words, this is what is predominantly on the Lord’s mind concerning the entire ordeal, meaning the advancement of the gospel message, and that through Paul. God’s foreknowledge of all things means that He knows exactly what is needed at every moment to direct the affairs of man according to His predetermined purposes.

Paul was an integral part of the plan at this point in time, and he would live through the ordeal in order to continue to effect the outcome of what God had determined. His salvation from this ordeal was necessary for these things to come about, but even more, and what certainly points to where Paul’s prayers had actually been placed, he is told, “And behold, God has granted you all those sailing with you.”

Paul’s concern while on his knees in prayer was not for himself. It was for the lost souls on the ship who needed a Savior before they perished. If this ordeal could bring them to understand the truth of Paul’s message, then so be it. And in fact, this is now promised.

Whether they accept the message or not, the validity of his words concerning his God could not be disputed. It is of note that the exact opposite of what occurs here is mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14, 14, 18, and 20. Paul’s status was sufficient to save those around him, whereas the status of those in Ezekiel’s time was only sufficient to save themselves.

Life application: One can consider the difference between the examples in Ezekiel 14 and those of Paul’s situation here. In thinking about it, we can see that the law brings condemnation but God’s grace in Christ brings salvation.

Those living under the law had the weight and burden of the law stacked against them. If they appealed to the law for their hope, they would find it only brings condemnation. However, even those under the law could appeal for God’s mercy. David discovered this.

He knew that the law demanded satisfaction. Therefore, he didn’t appeal to the law, lest he be swept away. When he was found to have done wrong, he appealed to God’s forgiveness in his displaying of a heartfelt, internal remorse –

“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:14-17

Lord God, thank You for Your grace, displayed in the giving of Your Son for us. May we cling to the cross and lay the entirety of our sin there. May our hearts be purified through remorse at the wrongdoings we commit in Your presence as we proceed forward in our salvation. May we never use Your grace as a license to continue sinning. Amen.