Acts 27:24

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Saying {G3004}, Fear {G5399} not {G3361}, Paul {G3972}; thou {G4571} must {G1163} be brought before {G3936} Caesar {G2541}: and {G2532}, lo {G2400}, God {G2316} hath given {G5483} thee {G4671} all {G3956} them that sail {G4126} with {G3326} thee {G4675}.

He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Sha’ul! you have to stand before the Emperor. Look! God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’

and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’

saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cæsar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee.

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 27:24 (KJV)

Acts 27:24 offers a profound moment of divine reassurance and revelation amidst a terrifying storm at sea. This verse is part of the Apostle Paul's perilous journey as a prisoner being transported to Rome, where he was destined to appear before Caesar. After many days of fierce tempest, when all hope of survival had vanished, an angel of God appeared to Paul, delivering this powerful message.

Context

The preceding verses (Acts 27:14-23) vividly describe the dire situation: a violent northeasterly wind, later named Euroclydon, had seized their ship, driving it uncontrollably. The crew had thrown cargo and even the ship's tackle overboard in a desperate attempt to lighten the vessel, but despair was rampant. For fourteen days, neither sun nor stars appeared, leaving them without navigational aids and with no hope of deliverance. In this moment of utter hopelessness, Paul, who had previously warned against setting sail (Acts 27:10), stands up to deliver a message of hope directly from God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Sovereignty: The core message is that God's plan is unshakeable, even in the face of overwhelming natural forces. Despite the storm's fury, Paul's ultimate destination and purpose—to stand before Caesar—remains secure because it is God's will. This highlights God's absolute control over circumstances.
  • Reassurance and Courage: The opening words, "Fear not, Paul," are a common biblical phrase used by God or His messengers to encourage individuals in moments of fear or uncertainty. It reminds Paul, and us, that God's presence dispels fear.
  • Purpose in Adversity: The storm, though life-threatening, did not derail God's plan but rather served as a dramatic backdrop for demonstrating His power and faithfulness. Paul's suffering was part of his mission, as he was called to bear Christ's name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15).
  • Intercessory Grace: A remarkable aspect of this verse is that God "hath given thee all them that sail with thee." The lives of 276 people (Acts 27:37)—sailors, soldiers, and prisoners—were spared solely because of God's purpose for Paul. This demonstrates the powerful impact of one person's faith and God's favor, extending grace to others for that individual's sake.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear not" translates the Greek mē phobou (μὴ φοβοῦ), a common imperative found throughout Scripture when God or an angel addresses someone facing a difficult or terrifying situation. It's a direct command to cease being afraid, often coupled with a promise of divine presence or deliverance. The word "given" (κεχάρισται - kecharistai) is a perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with ongoing results, emphasizing that this preservation of lives is a gracious gift from God due to Paul.

Practical Application

Acts 27:24 offers immense encouragement for believers facing their own "storms" in life. It reminds us that:

  • God's Plans Prevail: Even when circumstances seem chaotic and hopeless, God remains sovereign. If He has a purpose for your life, no external force can thwart it. Trust in His ultimate plan, just as Paul trusted God's promise to bring him before Caesar.
  • Fear is Conquered by Faith: When overwhelmed by anxiety or fear, remember God's command to "fear not." His word is powerful enough to calm our inner storms and provide peace, knowing He is in control (Philippians 4:6-7).
  • Our Faith Can Impact Others: Paul's steadfastness and God's favor upon him resulted in the salvation of everyone on board. This highlights the potential for our faith and obedience to bless and positively influence those around us, sometimes in ways we may not even realize.
  • Adversity Can Be a Platform for God's Glory: What appeared to be a disaster became an opportunity for God to display His power and faithfulness through Paul, even to hardened sailors and Roman soldiers. Our trials can become testimonies of His grace.

This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His ability to use even the most desperate situations to accomplish His divine purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 23:11

    And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

  • 2 Timothy 4:16

    ¶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Genesis 19:29

    And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

  • James 5:16

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
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