Acts 27:16

KJV

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} running under {G5295} a certain {G5100} island {G3519} which is called {G2564} Clauda {G2802}, we had {G2480} much {G3433} work {G2480} to come by {G4031}{G1096} the boat {G4627}:

Complete Jewish Bible

As we passed into the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with strenuous effort to get control of the lifeboat.

Berean Standard Bible

Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat.

American Standard Version

And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:16 vividly recounts a moment of intense struggle for Paul and his fellow travelers aboard a ship caught in a violent tempest. After being relentlessly driven by the severe Euraquilo storm, the crew found a fleeting and partial reprieve by sailing under the lee of the small island of Clauda. This brief shelter offered a desperate window of opportunity, during which they faced immense difficulty and exerted strenuous effort to secure the ship's small lifeboat, a critical task for their ongoing survival amidst the raging elements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the gripping narrative of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, detailed in Acts 27. Immediately preceding this verse, the ship has been caught in a devastating northeasterly storm, described in [Acts 27:14](/acts/27-14 "Acts 27:14 - The Tempestuous Wind Euroclydon") as the "tempestuous wind, Euroclydon" (also known as Euraquilo). The crew's desperate attempts to lighten the ship and use undergirding ropes, mentioned in [Acts 27:18-19](/acts/27-18-19 "Acts 27:18-19 - Lightening the Ship"), underscore the severity of their situation. The brief shelter offered by Clauda in [Acts 27:16](/acts/27-16 "Acts 27:16 - Securing the Lifeboat") is a pivotal moment, allowing them to address the immediate threat posed by the lifeboat before the storm's full fury resumes, leading to the eventual shipwreck described later in the chapter, particularly in [Acts 27:39-44](/acts/27-39-44 "Acts 27:39-44 - The Shipwreck and Survival").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Mediterranean seafaring was inherently dangerous, especially outside the calmer summer months. Ships were typically wooden, propelled by sails, and highly vulnerable to severe storms like the Euraquilo, a notorious cyclonic wind common in that region. The island of Clauda (modern Gavdos) is a small, rugged island located south of Crete. "Running under" its lee side meant seeking the relative calm on the side of the island opposite the wind, which provided temporary, limited protection from the direct force of the storm. The lifeboat (or skiff) was crucial for disembarking in port or escaping a sinking ship, but towing it in a storm was extremely risky; it could swamp, be dashed against the main vessel, or even drag the ship down, making its retrieval or securing an immediate priority for the experienced mariners.
* **Key Themes:** The passage highlights several significant themes. First, **Extreme Peril and Human Effort** is evident in the "much work" required to secure the lifeboat, showcasing the immense physical and strategic labor demanded by the life-threatening conditions. Second, **Strategic Navigation in Crisis** is demonstrated by the crew's skilled decision to seek the lee of Clauda, illustrating their practical seamanship in leveraging any available natural shelter. Finally, and most profoundly, the overarching theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Chaos** frames the entire narrative. Despite the overwhelming natural forces and the crew's desperate struggle, Paul's journey is divinely ordained, as God had assured him he would bear witness in Rome (as seen in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - God's Assurance to Paul")). This storm, though terrifying, ultimately serves God's larger purpose for Paul's mission, foreshadowing His providential care even in the direst circumstances, a theme echoed in passages like [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **running under (Greek, _hypotréchō_):** This verb, G5295, from _hypó_ (under) and _tréchō_ (to run), specifically means "to run under" or "to sail past." In this context, it describes the ship's maneuver to gain the shelter of the island's lee side, moving quickly to escape the direct onslaught of the wind and waves. It implies a swift, tactical navigation decision to find temporary refuge.
* **much work (Greek, _mólis_):** The word G3433, _mólis_, is an adverb meaning "with difficulty," "hardly," or "scarcely." Its inclusion here emphasizes the extreme arduousness of the task. It was not merely "work," but work performed under duress, requiring immense effort and strength against overwhelming odds, indicating the severe conditions the crew faced even in the partial shelter of Clauda.
* **to come by (Greek, _perikratḗs_ + _gínomai_):** This phrase translates the Greek _perikratḗs_ (G4031) combined with _gínomai_ (G1096). _Perikratḗs_ means "strong all around" or "a master/manager," while _gínomai_ means "to become" or "to come into being." Together, "to become master of" or "to get control of" the boat. This highlights the intense struggle to physically secure the small boat, which was either being towed and was in danger of being swamped or lost, or needed to be hauled aboard. It underscores the critical nature of this task for the ship's overall integrity and the passengers' survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And running under a certain island which is called Clauda,"**: This clause describes the ship's immediate action after being battered by the storm. The crew, skilled mariners, identified the small island of Clauda (modern Gavdos) as a potential, albeit temporary, refuge. They executed a difficult maneuver to sail into the "lee" of the island, the side sheltered from the direct force of the wind, seeking a momentary respite from the tempest's full fury.
* **"we had much work"**: This phrase conveys the immense difficulty and strenuous effort required for the subsequent action. Even in the partial shelter of Clauda, the sea remained turbulent, and the wind fierce. The "much work" implies a struggle against powerful natural forces, highlighting the physical and mental exhaustion of the crew.
* **"to come by the boat:"**: This final clause specifies the objective of their arduous labor: to secure the ship's small lifeboat (or skiff). This boat, typically towed behind the larger vessel, would have been highly vulnerable in the storm, prone to swamping, being dashed against the ship, or even dragging the ship down. Securing it—either by hauling it aboard or firmly lashing it down—was a critical, life-saving measure to prevent its loss or further damage to the main ship.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Acts 27:16 employs several literary devices to convey the intensity of the situation. The phrase "much work" serves as a form of **Understatement**, subtly implying the truly Herculean effort required in such a storm, rather than explicitly detailing the physical struggle. This understatement paradoxically emphasizes the severity of the conditions. The entire scene also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater perils and the eventual shipwreck that will occur, while simultaneously setting the stage for Paul's divine protection and leadership later in the chapter. Furthermore, the "boat" itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing the precariousness of their survival and the vital, yet fragile, elements upon which their lives depended. The desperate struggle to secure it underscores the fight for life against overwhelming natural forces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:16, though a brief logistical detail, powerfully illustrates the intersection of human effort and divine providence in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It reminds us that while God is sovereign and has a plan, He often calls for human exertion, wisdom, and perseverance. The crew's desperate struggle to secure the lifeboat is a testament to their skill and determination, yet it is ultimately framed within God's larger purpose for Paul's journey to Rome. This passage encourages believers to engage actively and wisely with the "storms" of life, recognizing that our "much work" is not in vain, but part of a larger divine narrative where God's ultimate purposes prevail.

* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "Psalm 107:23-30 - God Delivers from Storms")
* [2 Corinthians 11:25](/2-corinthians/11-25 "2 Corinthians 11:25 - Paul's Shipwrecks")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Perseverance Through Trials")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intense struggle to secure the lifeboat in Acts 27:16 offers a profound metaphor for the Christian life. We often find ourselves in "storms"—periods of intense trial, uncertainty, or suffering—where even finding a moment of partial respite ("running under Clauda") still demands immense "work" to secure what is vital. This verse calls us to a posture of active faith: to exert wisdom, perseverance, and diligent effort in protecting the "lifeboats" of our spiritual lives—our faith, our community, our spiritual disciplines, our core convictions—from being swamped or lost amidst the chaos. It reminds us that while we are called to strive, our ultimate hope is not in our own strength or ingenuity, but in the God who is sovereign over all storms, both literal and metaphorical. Even when hope seems dim, our continued diligence in holding fast to what is true and good is part of God's process for our growth and ultimate deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lifeboats" (spiritual practices, relationships, convictions) are you currently fighting to secure in the storms of your life?**
* **How does the "much work" of the crew in Acts 27:16 relate to your own efforts in navigating difficult circumstances, and where do you find the balance between striving and resting in God's sovereignty?**
* **In what ways does this passage encourage you to seek out "lee" (moments of respite or shelter) in your life, even if temporary, to address critical needs?**

### FAQ

**Why was securing the lifeboat so important, even in partial shelter?**

Answer: Securing the lifeboat was critically important because, even in the "partial shelter" offered by the lee of Clauda, the ship was still in a severe storm. A small lifeboat, typically towed behind the main vessel, would be highly vulnerable to the turbulent seas. It could easily be swamped by waves, filled with water, and then either break apart, be lost, or, most dangerously, act as a heavy drag, pulling the main ship down or causing it to capsize. The crew's "much work" to "come by the boat" (i.e., to gain control of it, likely by hauling it aboard or securing it tightly to the deck) was a desperate, immediate measure to prevent a catastrophic loss and ensure the main ship's stability and the passengers' survival. This action, though difficult, was a testament to the mariners' skill and understanding of the immediate threats posed by the tempest, as seen in the broader context of [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Perilous Voyage").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:16, with its depiction of human vulnerability and desperate struggle against overwhelming natural forces, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While the crew fought to control a small boat, Christ demonstrates ultimate sovereignty over the very elements that threatened Paul's ship. His calming of the storm in [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm") and [Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23-27 "Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm") reveals Him as the divine Master of creation, whose word commands the winds and waves. Furthermore, the narrative of Paul's journey, though fraught with peril, is ultimately guided by God's sovereign plan for Paul to bear witness in Rome, echoing the greater journey of salvation. Jesus, as the "pioneer of their salvation" ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus, the Pioneer of Salvation")), navigates humanity through the storms of sin and death, not by securing a physical lifeboat, but by offering Himself as the ultimate rescue, the ark of salvation through His atoning sacrifice. In Him, believers find true and lasting security, a refuge stronger than any island's lee, and a Captain who ensures safe passage to the eternal shore, fulfilling God's purposes for His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.