ACC ~ Acts 27 v32

TAUGHT THE LOVE OF WISDOM. CHRYSOSTOM: Here the text shows that the sailors would have fled, as they did not believe [Paul’s] words; but the centurion believed together with the soldiers. Therefore Paul said, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Not that their escape would have doomed the rest. He said this to stop them, so that the prophecy would not be broken. See how they, as if they were in a church, are taught the love of wisdom by Paul, who pulls them away from dangers. They did not believe Paul through providence, so that they might believe him after the experience of the facts, as happened. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 53.2.

PAUL’S AUTHORITY BRINGS THEIR CONVERSION. AMMONIUS: After they realized that their bad will had caused them to fall into dangers, they began to believe Paul by thinking that the appropriate words of the righteous were more effective for their salvation than the fate in danger, which has no name. In fact, if they had believed in fate, like the Gentiles, after despising the words of that pious man, they would have allowed the sailors to escape by saying, “Let them go. This has nothing to do with our salvation.” But they did not speak nor act so foolishly, neither were they deceived or enticed by ignorance. Therefore, based on these facts, many must reject their opinion about fate and fortune. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.31-32.