Acts 27 22

Acts 27:22 kjv

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

Acts 27:22 nkjv

And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Acts 27:22 niv

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

Acts 27:22 esv

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Acts 27:22 nlt

But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 22 Meaning

In Acts 27:22, the Apostle Paul delivers a crucial message of hope and divine assurance amidst a desperate maritime storm. He encourages the ship's crew and passengers, declaring that despite the perilous situation, there will be no loss of life. This divinely revealed prophecy, delivered through Paul, asserts God's protective sovereignty over all individuals on board, clarifying that the only material casualty will be the ship itself. It marks a pivotal shift from despair to hope, grounded in God's faithful promise.

Acts 27 22 Context

Acts chapter 27 describes Paul's perilous journey as a prisoner being transported to Rome for trial before Caesar. The narrative details a long and arduous sea voyage that turns catastrophic when the ship encounters a violent storm known as the "Euraquilo" or northeaster. Prior to the storm, Paul had warned the ship's centurion and owner against continuing the voyage from Fair Havens, advocating for wintering there, but his advice was ignored. The storm raged for days, driving the ship helplessly across the Mediterranean, leading to total despair among all 276 people on board. Food became scarce as people had given up hope of survival. Against this backdrop of absolute hopelessness, Paul, who had remained steadfast in faith, receives a direct divine revelation. Verse 22 is the pivotal moment where Paul, having already gained moral authority through his wisdom (despite being a prisoner), steps forward to declare God's specific promise of salvation for all lives on the ship, though the vessel itself would be lost. This scene starkly contrasts human fear and despair with divine assurance and intervention.

Acts 27 22 Word analysis

• But now (νῦν δὲ, nyn de): This phrase signals a critical turning point and an immediate call to attention. It contrasts the dire situation they have endured with the new, divinely revealed information. Paul had previously spoken, and his former advice was ignored, leading to their present peril. "Now" emphasizes the immediacy and importance of his current message.
• I urge you (παραινῶ, parainō): This verb means to advise, exhort, or counsel. Paul, despite his prisoner status, assumes an authoritative, pastoral role. It is not a suggestion but a strong appeal, carrying weight due to his previous accurate warning and his perceived spiritual authority.
• to take heart (εὐθυμεῖν, euthymein): To be of good cheer, to be encouraged, to stop being disheartened. This directly addresses the prevalent despair on board (Acts 27:20). It counters fear and promotes inner calm derived from a secure hope, in line with spiritual resilience found throughout the Bible in times of crisis (e.g., Ps 27:14, Phil 4:6-7).
• for there will be no loss of life (ἀπώλεια ψυχῆς οὐδεμία, apōleia psychēs oudemía):
  • ἀπώλεια (apōleia): Meaning destruction, ruin, loss. In this context, the physical loss of life, distinct from eternal spiritual perdition.
  • ψυχῆς (psychēs): Genitive of psychē, referring to a living being, soul, or life. Here, it explicitly refers to human life.
  • οὐδεμία (oudemía): Meaning not one, no. It’s an absolute negative, underscoring the completeness of the divine guarantee – zero loss of human life. This statement is a powerful divine assurance, given through Paul, offering total physical salvation from the storm's immediate threat.
• among you (ἐξ ὑμῶν, ex hymōn): Explicitly stating that this guarantee applies to everyone on board, highlighting the broad scope of God's protection in this specific instance, largely due to Paul's presence.
• but only of the ship (πλὴν τοῦ πλοίου, plēn tou ploiou):
  • πλὴν (plēn): Means except, nevertheless, only. It serves as a restrictive qualifier, emphasizing that the salvation of life comes with a specific, singular material cost.
  • τοῦ πλοίου (tou ploiou): Referring to the ship, the vessel itself. This clarifies the extent of the loss – property, not people. This distinction showcases God's valuing of human life above material possessions (Matt 16:26) and underscores the reality of loss without discrediting the divine promise. It means the outcome is not complete devastation but a controlled, limited one by God.

Acts 27 22 Bonus section

• Polemics against pagan fatalism: The promise delivered by Paul stands in stark contrast to the pagan fatalism of the day, where people attributed their fortunes to capricious gods or unchangeable destiny. Paul's message shows a personal, interventionist God who communicates His will and provides definite outcomes, negating the superstitious fears prevalent in Roman society concerning omens and divine wrath associated with storms.
• Paul's moral authority: While legally a prisoner, Paul emerges as the true leader on the ship by virtue of his spiritual connection and the accurate prophetic word. This elevates divine authority above human titles or positions, echoing instances where God empowers His servants to lead in crisis (e.g., Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon).
• Conditional deliverance: Though verse 22 promises "no loss of life," later verses (e.g., v. 31) show that this deliverance was contingent upon certain actions (like the sailors staying on board). This subtly illustrates that God's promises often involve human responsibility and cooperation with His divine will, demonstrating the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency.
• Leadership in crisis: Paul's actions throughout Acts 27, especially his calmness, faith, and compassionate leadership, serve as a practical example for believers facing overwhelming challenges. His ability to encourage others, provide wise counsel, and stand firm in divine truth turns despair into managed hope, demonstrating the practical application of faith in real-world crisis management.

Acts 27 22 Commentary

Acts 27:22 presents Paul as a prophet and leader, delivering a divinely assured message of preservation in the face of absolute human hopelessness. His counsel to "take heart" directly confronts the despair of men who had given up on survival, indicating a shift from a reliance on human seamanship and experience to divine intervention. This promise is rooted in God's direct revelation to Paul (vv. 23-25), demonstrating God's sovereign control even over nature's most destructive forces. The emphasis on "no loss of life... but only of the ship" highlights the supreme value God places on human life above material possessions. It reveals God's plan to save people, showcasing His grace in preserving those traveling with His servant, Paul, irrespective of their personal faith (though their salvation of life was conditional on obeying Paul's later instructions). This event powerfully illustrates that God can bring good out of dire circumstances and use faithful individuals to deliver His message of hope.