Acts 27:8

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city [of] Lasea.

And ^{G5037}, hardly ^{G3433} passing ^{G3881} it ^{G846}, came ^{G2064} unto ^{G1519} a ^{G5100} place ^{G5117} which is called ^{G2564} The fair ^{G2570} havens ^{G2568}^{G3040}; nigh ^{G1451} whereunto ^{G3739} was ^{G2258} the city ^{G4172} of Lasea ^{G2996}.

and, continuing to struggle on, hugging the coast, we reached a place called Pleasant Harbor, near the town of Lasea.

After we had moved along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:8 describes a specific point in the Apostle Paul's perilous sea voyage as a prisoner en route to Rome. This verse, rich in geographical detail, highlights the challenging nature of ancient maritime travel and sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

Context of the Verse

This verse is part of the extensive narrative in Acts chapter 27, which meticulously chronicles Paul's journey from Caesarea to Rome under Roman custody. Having sailed from Myra and encountering difficult winds, the ship was "hardly passing it" (referring to Salmone, the easternmost point of Crete mentioned in Acts 27:7). They eventually found temporary refuge at a place known as Fair Havens on the southern coast of the island of Crete, near the city of Lasea. Luke's detailed geographical descriptions lend significant historical credibility to the account of Paul's travels.

Key Themes and Messages

Perseverance Through Adversity: The phrase "hardly passing it" (Greek: molis, meaning 'with difficulty' or 'scarcely') underscores the strenuous and dangerous conditions the ship faced. It reflects the constant struggle against adverse winds and currents, a common theme throughout Paul's life and ministry, as seen in his list of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:25.
Divine Providence and Temporary Refuge: Despite the immense difficulties, they managed to reach "The fair havens" (Greek: Kaloi Limenes), a place that, by name, suggested a good harbor. While it proved to be an inadequate port for wintering (as discussed in Acts 27:12), it served as a crucial, divinely-provided respite from the immediate dangers of the open sea.
Historical Accuracy: Luke's precise naming of locations like Fair Havens and Lasea, confirmed by archaeological and geographical studies, emphasizes the historical reliability of the book of Acts. This attention to detail anchors the spiritual narrative in verifiable historical facts.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "hardly," molis (μόλις), vividly conveys the extreme difficulty experienced in navigating past the headland. It implies that the ship barely made it, highlighting the precariousness of their situation. "Fair Havens" is a direct translation of the Greek Kaloi Limenes (Καλοὶ Λιμένες), literally "Good Harbors," a name that belied its unsuitability for prolonged stay during the winter months.

Practical Application

Acts 27:8 reminds us that life's journeys, particularly those undertaken in faith, often involve periods of intense struggle and difficulty. We may "hardly pass" certain obstacles. However, even in these challenging times, God often provides temporary "fair havens" – moments or places of respite and safety, allowing us to regroup before continuing the journey. It encourages us to recognize these moments of grace and to trust in God's overarching providence, even when the path ahead remains uncertain or dangerous, much like Paul's continued voyage which led to the dramatic shipwreck in Acts 27:41, but ultimately to safety and his mission in Rome.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.