ACC ~ Acts 27 v1 - 8

OVERVIEW:

The general remarks of the moderns usually concern the tale of a shipwreck, a common theme in antiquity most often portraying how an evil person is destroyed by the forces of the sea. Luke’s story of Paul’s single-handed triumph over these forces for his own sake and the sake of all his companions is a counterpoint to this, easily understood by his contemporaries. The dangers of the sea also provide tales of great adventure in which the sea is often the primary tool of a vengeful deity’s opposition to the hero’s accomplishment of a desired or fated end. Luke makes use of this genre to call attention to Paul the prophet as well as to his faith and the role he plays in bringing about the saving of all who travel with him. Luke thus portrays the role of the Christian in the world. They also ask questions about Luke’s sources of information, usually answered by pointing to the “we sections” of the narrative and to Luke’s memory even after the most probable loss of his notes. The present passage begins the note of foreboding since the winter winds have begun. It also begins a most detailed account of the events on this journey. In contrast to all the lessons derived from this chapter by the ancients, the moderns are quite matter of fact, concentrating on Luke’s portrayal of the role of Paul. Here, our best commentator at this point is Chrysostom. His attention is on the spreading of the gospel in the very situation and circumstances that Paul finds himself. Although Chrysostom never directly notes that now the narrative of Acts has shifted from “the things concerning Jesus the Christ” to “the things concerning Paul,” his own attention is clearly on how Paul is, as it were, a node in an ever-expanding web of connections spreading across the Mediterranean precisely because those who encounter Paul tell Paul’s story. Throughout this chapter it becomes clear that, for Chrysostom at least, the telling of a saint’s life is the telling of the work of Christ’s in the world. Eusebius recounts the martyrdom of James as an event that occurred in consequence. In this first section, we have a passage from Eusebius who gives, as it were, a footnote to the events of Acts 27. Chrysostom will constantly be drawing our attention to some of the minor characters of this chapter, and here, the first is Aristarchus, who will become for Paul what Paul has become for Christ. For Chrysostom, all of this incident of the voyage serves to spread the gospel; he further points out that the ordinary course is the most usual not just for humans but for God as well, as even Paul’s tumultuous journey demonstrates.

27:1 | Paul and Other Prisoners Delivered to a Centurion

BACK IN JERUSALEM. EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: But after Paul, in consequence of his appeal to Caesar, had been sent to Rome by Festus, the Jews, being frustrated in their hope of entrapping him by the snares that they had laid for him, turned against James, the brother of the Lord, to whom the episcopal seat at Jerusalem had been entrusted by the apostles. The following daring measures were undertaken by them against him. Leading him into their midst they demanded of him that he should renounce faith in Christ in the presence of all the people. But, contrary to the opinion of all, with a clear voice and with greater boldness than they had anticipated, [James] spoke out before the whole multitude and confessed that our Savior and Lord Jesus is the Son of God. But they were unable to bear longer the testimony of the man who, on account of the excellence of ascetic virtue and of piety that he exhibited in his life, was esteemed by all as the most just of people, and consequently they killed him. Opportunity for this deed of violence was furnished by the prevailing anarchy, which was caused by the fact that Festus had died just at this time in Judea and that the province was thus without a governor and head. The manner of James’ death has been already indicated by the above-quoted words of Clement, who records that he was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and was beaten to death with a club. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 2.23.1-3.

27:3 | Julius Treated Paul Kindly

THE SPREAD OF THE MESSAGE. CHRYSOSTOM: Aristarchus accompanies Paul for a while. He is fittingly and usefully present with the intention of reporting everything concerning him in Macedonia. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.1-3.

27:4 | The Winds Were Against Us

GOD LETS NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE. CHRYSOSTOM: See how God does not alter or change the order of nature but allows him to sail into unfavorable winds. But even so the miracle happens. To ensure that they sail safely, he did not allow them to go out to the open sea; they always sailed along the coast. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 53.

27:5 | To Myra in Lycia

PAUL AN EXAMPLE. CHRYSOSTOM: Again trials, again contrary winds. See how the life of the saints is so composed of all these things: he escaped the court, and they fall into a shipwreck and a storm. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.4-5.