Acts 27:23 kjv
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Acts 27:23 nkjv
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
Acts 27:23 niv
Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me
Acts 27:23 esv
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
Acts 27:23 nlt
For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me,
Acts 27 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 18:9 | "The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, 'Do not be afraid...'" | Direct encouragement |
| Acts 23:11 | "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage...'” | Lord's direct affirmation |
| Isaiah 41:10 | "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God..." | God's presence and strength |
| Jeremiah 1:8 | "Do not fear them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord." | Divine promise of deliverance |
| Psalm 91:1-2 | "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty... I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress...'" | God as protector |
| Romans 1:10 | "...always in my prayers asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you." | Paul's desire for Roman ministry |
| Philippians 1:25 | "...I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith," | Paul's confidence in God's plan |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..." | Unity and affirmation |
| Hebrews 12:22-24 | "...you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God..." | Heavenly realities |
| Luke 1:37 | "For nothing will be impossible with God." | Divine omnipotence |
| Matthew 19:26 | "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." | Divine capability |
| John 14:27 | "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you..." | Christ's peace amidst turmoil |
| John 15:16 | "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you..." | God's sovereign choice |
| 2 Timothy 4:17 | "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me..." | Divine support in ministry |
| Romans 8:28 | "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." | God's providential purpose |
| Colossians 1:24 | "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body..." | Suffering for the Gospel |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | Holy Spirit's empowering presence |
| Romans 14:7-9 | "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord..." | Life and death for the Lord |
| Ephesians 3:20 | "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think..." | God's exceeding power |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." | Trust in God's guidance |
Acts 27 verses
Acts 27 23 Meaning
This verse states that an angel of God appeared to Paul in the night, identifying himself as belonging to God and the God whom Paul serves. The angel's message was one of divine assurance: "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you."
Acts 27 23 Context
This chapter records the dramatic shipwreck experienced by Paul and his companions on their voyage to Rome. After a severe storm and days of being driven by the wind, the sailors realized they were nearing land but were uncertain of their exact location. They feared being driven onto the rocks. Paul's imprisonment meant he was on a ship headed to face trial before Caesar, a divinely ordained destination he had been assured of earlier in his ministry (Acts 23:11). Amidst the fear and hopelessness of the situation, a divine messenger brings a message of reassurance.
Acts 27 23 Word analysis
- night (nuktós): Refers to the period of darkness. Divine revelations and guidance often occurred during the night in scripture (Genesis 15:12, Job 33:15).
- angel (ággelos): Messenger. Here, a heavenly messenger sent by God.
- of God (tou theoú): Indicates possession and divine origin.
- whom (ho): Refers back to "God".
- I belong (ejýkō): I stand, I am in existence, I belong to. Emphasizes Paul's identity and allegiance.
- serve (latreúō): To worship, render religious service. Highlights Paul's devotion.
- thou (sú): You (singular, emphatic).
- fear (phobéō): To be afraid, to be terrified.
- stand (stéthi): You must stand upright, be present. Indicates standing as a witness.
- Caesar (Kaisara): The Roman emperor. Paul's ultimate destination and the ultimate authority he was to face.
- behold (idoú): Look! See! A call to attention.
- God (theós): God.
- has granted (écharisáto): Gave as a favor, bestowed by grace. A divine bestowal.
- all (pántas): All people.
- those who are sailing (tous synploúntas): Those sailing with you.
- with you (soí): Indicates companionship and shared destiny.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "An angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve": This phrase powerfully articulates Paul's total allegiance and identity found in God. It’s a declaration of his fundamental belonging and life's purpose, mirroring David’s psalms (Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”) and Jesus’ submission (Luke 22:42, “yet not my will, but yours be done.”).
- "Do not be afraid, Paul": Direct, personal, and reassuring words. This mirrors the divine encounters in scripture where fear is addressed and replaced with peace and courage (Genesis 15:1, Isaiah 41:10).
- "you must stand before Caesar": "Must" (deí) signifies divine appointment and inevitability. Paul's trial before Caesar is not merely a legal requirement but a part of God's sovereign plan for his witness (Acts 1:8).
- "God has granted you all those who are sailing with you": This is a remarkable statement of God's sovereign grace. Not only is Paul's life preserved, but the lives of everyone on the ship are given to him by divine decree, emphasizing God's power over circumstances and individuals for His purposes (Romans 8:28).
Acts 27 23 Bonus section
The angel’s self-identification as belonging to "the God whom I serve" establishes a divine hierarchy and clarifies the source of authority. Paul, facing the secular authority of Caesar, is reminded of a higher authority and his ultimate Master. This is consistent with Jesus' teaching: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17). The salvation of all on board, presented as a gift from God to Paul, emphasizes the significance of Paul's mission and witness, for whom God spared an entire ship's company. This prefigures God's preservation of Paul for further ministry, as he would later preach the gospel in Rome.
Acts 27 23 Commentary
This divine intervention in a desperate situation highlights God's intimate knowledge of and care for His servants. Despite the life-threatening storm, an angel from God appears to Paul, a prisoner, assuring him that his journey to Rome and his testimony before Caesar are not thwarted. The assurance that God has "granted" all those on board to Paul underscores God’s overarching providence. Even in human weakness and the face of death, God's plans prevail. This instance serves as a powerful testament to believers that when they are serving God, even in trials, He is present to protect, guide, and accomplish His purposes through them.