Acts 27:34 kjv
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
Acts 27:34 nkjv
Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."
Acts 27:34 niv
Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."
Acts 27:34 esv
Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you."
Acts 27:34 nlt
"Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish."
Acts 27 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 27:34 | "Therefore I urge you to take some nourishment, for it will help you to survive..." | Paul's encouragement to eat |
| Proverbs 20:27 | "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD..." | Spiritual vitality and sustenance |
| Philippians 4:13 | "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." | Strength from Christ in trials |
| 1 Corinthians 6:13 | "Food for the stomach and stomach for food, and God will destroy them both..." | Sanctified use of food |
| 1 Kings 19:7-8 | "The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said..." | God providing strength for Elijah |
| Psalm 107:18 | "They loathe all kinds of food and come close to the gates of death." | Physical weakness unto death |
| 2 Corinthians 11:27 | "I have labored and toiled and often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." | Paul's own physical hardships |
| Nehemiah 8:10 | "...the joy of the LORD is your strength." | Joy as a source of strength |
| Isaiah 40:31 | "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength..." | Hope in the Lord renewing strength |
| Matthew 4:4 | "Jesus answered, 'It is written: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”'" | Spiritual nourishment balanced with physical |
| 1 Timothy 5:23 | "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." | Practical health advice |
| Proverbs 25:16 | "If you find honey, eat just enough, for too much of it may cause you to vomit." | Prudence in consumption |
| Luke 10:7 | "...stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you..." | Acceptance of hospitality |
| Romans 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..." | Body as a vessel for God's service |
| Galatians 5:13 | "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." | Freedom in Christ and serving others |
| Acts 20:35 | "...remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Selflessness and giving |
| 1 Corinthians 9:27 | "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected." | Self-discipline of the body |
| Hebrews 12:1 | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely..." | Enduring perseverance |
| Joshua 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”" | Courage and God's presence |
| Acts 28:8 | "The father of Publius was lying sick with fever and dysentery..." | Healing ministry to physical ailments |
Acts 27 verses
Acts 27 34 Meaning
This verse records Paul's encouragement to the soldiers and prisoners on the storm-tossed ship to take nourishment. It highlights Paul's faith and leadership even in dire circumstances, emphasizing the importance of physical well-being for spiritual endurance and witness.
Acts 27 34 Context
The ship carrying Paul and approximately 276 people is in the midst of a violent tempest in the Adriatic Sea. They have been driven off course, have thrown the cargo overboard, and are facing a severe lack of sustenance. The previous verses describe the storm's intensity and the crew's despair. In this chapter, Paul has already offered a prophecy about the shipwreck and assured them that no life would be lost, though the ship would be. He now seeks to bolster their spirits and physical condition, demonstrating a profound calm and reliance on God amidst the chaos.
Acts 27 34 Word analysis
"Therefore" (dio): A connective particle indicating a conclusion or a consequence from what has been previously stated or observed. Paul is drawing a logical implication from the dire situation and the shared experience.
"I" (ego): Emphasizes Paul's personal initiative in speaking and encouraging.
"urge" (parakaleo): Means to call to one's side, to exhort, encourage, comfort, or entreat. It is a strong word of entreaty, often carrying the sense of coming alongside someone to offer support.
"you" (hymeis): Refers to all aboard the ship – the soldiers, the prisoners (including himself), and the sailors.
"to take" (metalambano): Means to partake of, receive, or have a share in. Here, it specifically means to eat food.
"some" (tina): Indefinite pronoun, suggesting a portion or a certain amount of food.
"nourishment" (epiousion): This word is unusual here as it's typically used in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3) for "daily bread." In this context, it refers to sustenance, food that provides strength and maintains life. Its use underscores the necessity of food for survival.
"for" (gar): Indicates a reason or explanation. Paul is explaining why he is urging them to eat.
"it" (hymin): Refers to the nourishment or the act of taking nourishment.
"will help" (sōsei): From the verb "sōzō," which means to save, preserve, or keep safe. In this context, it means to preserve their lives, to help them endure the ordeal.
"you" (hymas): The object of the saving action.
"to survive" (apollusthai): Means to perish or be destroyed. The negative here implies "not to perish," meaning to survive. The verse implies survival and continued well-being.
Words-group analysis: The phrase "take some nourishment" (metalambanein tina epiousion) encapsulates the act of consuming sustenance necessary for life. The linkage with "for it will help you to survive" (gar hymin sōsei to apollusthai) emphasizes that this act is not merely about appetite but about essential preservation in the face of imminent danger and exhaustion. Paul's exhortation is practical and grounded in the need for physical strength to face adversity and God's ultimate plan for their lives.
Acts 27 34 Bonus section
Paul's familiarity with the word "epiousion" (nourishment/daily bread) is striking, as this is the term he uses in the Lord's Prayer. This suggests a deeper spiritual understanding that physical sustenance is intimately connected with God's provision for His people, both physically and spiritually. His selflessness is evident; he first addresses their need for food, even though he himself might have been abstaining, mirroring Christ's care for His followers. This scene foreshadows how believers, through the grace of God, can remain steadfast and resourceful in the midst of life's fiercest storms, demonstrating God's sustaining power through human vessels.
Acts 27 34 Commentary
Paul, even in a perilous situation where shipwreck was imminent and likely, exhibited remarkable composure and practical concern. His encouragement to eat wasn't a casual suggestion but a vital instruction for survival. It reveals his faith; knowing from God that no lives would be lost, he also understood the necessity of human agency and maintaining one's physical strength. This act also served as a leadership demonstration, strengthening the morale of everyone on board, including the Roman guards and the other prisoners. It highlights the balance between divine providence and human responsibility. Eating and maintaining physical strength is not a lack of faith but a prerequisite for enduring the trial and being able to testify.
- Practical usage: When facing significant challenges, physical self-care (like proper nutrition and rest) should not be neglected. Maintaining physical strength is often crucial for enduring and navigating difficult situations effectively, and this should be done with an attitude of trust in God's ultimate provision and plan.