Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” New Living Translation But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” English Standard Version Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Berean Standard Bible But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.” Berean Literal Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these remain in the ship, you⁺ are not able to be saved.” King James Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. New King James Version Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” New American Standard Bible Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” NASB 1995 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” NASB 1977 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” Legacy Standard Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” Amplified Bible Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you cannot be saved.” Berean Annotated Bible But Paul (humble) said to the centurion (commander of a hundred) and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you⁺ cannot be saved. Christian Standard Bible Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” American Standard Version Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Contemporary English Version But Paul said to Captain Julius and the soldiers, "If the sailors don't stay on the ship, you won't have any chance to save your lives." English Revised Version Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. GOD'S WORD® Translation Paul told the officer and the soldiers, "If these sailors don't stay on the ship, you have no hope of staying alive." Good News Translation But Paul said to the army officer and soldiers, "If the sailors don't stay on board, you have no hope of being saved." International Standard Version Paul told the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men remain onboard, you cannot be saved." NET Bible Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." New Heart English Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Webster's Bible Translation Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Weymouth New Testament But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, "Your lives will be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.” World English Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionPaul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “If these do not remain in the ship—you are not able to be saved”; Berean Literal Bible Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these remain in the ship, you⁺ are not able to be saved.” Young's Literal Translation Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, 'If these do not remain in the ship -- ye are not able to be saved;' Smith's Literal Translation Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these should remain in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BiblePaul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers: Except these stay in the ship, you cannot be saved. Catholic Public Domain Version So Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you will not be able to be saved.” New American Bible But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” New Revised Standard Version Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when Paul found it out, he said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Unless these men remain on board the ship, you cannot be saved. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when Paul saw it, he told the Centurion and the Soldiers: “If these do not stay in the ship, you cannot survive.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentPaul said to the centurion and the soldiers: Unless these remain in the ship, you can not be saved. Godbey New Testament Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, Unless these may remain in the ship, you are not able to be saved. Haweis New Testament Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be preserved. Mace New Testament upon this Paul said to the centurion and his men, "except the crew stay aboard, you can't be safe:" Weymouth New Testament But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, "Your lives will be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board." Worrell New Testament Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Worsley New Testament Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship ye cannot be saved. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Shipwreck…30Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea. 31 But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and set it adrift.… Cross References But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, Acts 22:25-26 But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” Luke 7:8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.” Matthew 8:9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.” “Unless these men remain with the ship, Joshua 2:19 If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads. Numbers 35:26-28 But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled / and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed, / because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. Exodus 12:22-23 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. / When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. you cannot be saved.” Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, Acts 4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” John 8:24 That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jonah 1:12-15 “Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you.” / Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. / So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.” … Matthew 14:30-31 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” / Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. / He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. / They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired. Mark 4:38-40 But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” / Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. Treasury of Scripture Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved. said. Acts 27:11,21,42,43 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul… Except. Acts 27:22-24 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… Psalm 91:11,12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways… Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end… Jump to Previous Abide Able Addressing Board Captain Centurion Except Julius Paul Sacrificed Saved Saved Ship Soldiers Unless YourselvesJump to Next Abide Able Addressing Board Captain Centurion Except Julius Paul Sacrificed Saved Saved Ship Soldiers Unless YourselvesActs 27 1. Paul shipping toward Rome,10. foretells of the danger of the voyage, 11. but is not believed. 14. They are tossed to and fro by a storm; 41. and suffer shipwreck; 44. yet all come safe to land. But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers Paul, a Roman citizen and apostle, is speaking with authority to the centurion and soldiers. The centurion, likely a leader of a Roman cohort, represents Roman authority. This interaction highlights Paul's influence and respect among the Roman officials, despite being a prisoner. It reflects the broader theme of God's providence and the respect Paul commanded due to his wisdom and divine insight. This moment is reminiscent of other instances where Paul interacts with Roman authorities, such as in Acts 16:37-39, where he asserts his rights as a Roman citizen. “Unless these men remain with the ship you cannot be saved.” Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle and central figure in this passage, who is on his way to Rome as a prisoner. He provides divine insight and guidance during the storm. 2. Centurion A Roman officer in charge of Paul and other prisoners. He plays a crucial role in the decision-making process during the voyage. 3. Soldiers Roman soldiers accompanying the centurion, responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the prisoners, including Paul, do not escape. 4. Ship The vessel carrying Paul, the centurion, soldiers, and other passengers. It is caught in a severe storm, leading to a crisis situation. 5. Storm A significant event that tests the faith and decision-making of all aboard the ship, setting the stage for Paul's declaration. Teaching Points Obedience to Divine GuidanceJust as Paul instructed the centurion and soldiers, obedience to God's guidance is crucial for salvation and deliverance. Faith in Crisis In times of crisis, faith in God's promises and His appointed leaders is essential for navigating through challenges. Community and Unity The necessity for all to remain on the ship highlights the importance of unity and collective action in the body of Christ. Trust in God's Plan Even when circumstances seem dire, trusting in God's plan and His messengers can lead to salvation and safety. Leadership and Responsibility Paul's role as a leader, despite being a prisoner, shows that God can use anyone to lead and provide wisdom in difficult situations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 27:31?2. Why did Paul insist, "unless these men remain," for the ship's safety? 3. How does Acts 27:31 demonstrate God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances? 4. What Old Testament examples show God's protection similar to Acts 27:31? 5. How can we trust God's plan when facing life's storms, like Paul? 6. How does Paul's leadership in Acts 27:31 inspire Christian leadership today? 7. What does Acts 27:31 reveal about divine intervention in human plans? 8. How does Acts 27:31 illustrate the importance of obedience to spiritual authority? 9. What role does faith play in the survival narrative of Acts 27:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 27? 11. What events occurred during Paul's voyage to Rome? 12. In Acts 27:22–26, do Paul’s assurances of safety contradict typical maritime fatalities in storms of that era? 13. In Acts 27:9-10, how could Paul, with no maritime expertise, accurately predict the ship's disaster when seasoned sailors disagreed? 14. In Acts 27:42-44, would a Roman centurion realistically risk severe punishment by sparing prisoners instead of killing them to prevent escape? What Does Acts 27:31 Mean But Paul saidPaul’s voice rises above the storm because he speaks with God-given authority. Earlier in the voyage he had already warned, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous” (Acts 27:10), and later he relayed the angel’s promise that “God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you” (Acts 27:24). • Paul’s consistency—first warning, then reassurance—builds credibility. • God had previously told him, “Take courage… you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11), so Paul knows the ship will not sink until that mission is complete. The phrase reminds us that when the Lord speaks, His servants repeat His word with confidence, even when circumstances look hopeless. to the centurion and the soldiers Luke highlights the chain of command on deck. Julius the centurion had earlier followed the advice of the pilot instead of Paul (Acts 27:11), but now crisis forces him to reconsider. • Soldiers represent Rome’s might, yet they need direction from a chained apostle. • Their obedience will prove crucial, echoing moments like the centurion in Capernaum who recognized true authority (Luke 7:8-9). The scene illustrates how God can use established structures—government, military, workplace—to accomplish His protective purposes when those in charge heed His word. Unless these men remain with the ship The sailors were secretly lowering the lifeboat (Acts 27:30). Paul exposes the plan and lays down a clear condition. • God’s promise of safety (Acts 27:22) includes human responsibility; the crew’s skills are the very means God will use. • Similar conditional protections appear throughout Scripture: the Passover family had to “stay inside until morning” (Exodus 12:22); Rahab’s relatives had to “remain in the house” marked by the scarlet cord (Joshua 2:19). • Spiritually, abiding is still essential: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you” (John 15:4). Faith does not cancel practical obedience; it energizes it. you cannot be saved Here “saved” speaks of physical deliverance from shipwreck, yet the wording invites a wider application. • God had guaranteed survival (Acts 27:24), but He would not bypass the appointed means. Ignoring Paul’s warning would cost lives. • The principle of means and ends runs through Scripture: Naaman must wash in the Jordan to be cleansed (2 Kings 5:10-14); believers must “work out your salvation” even as God works in them (Philippians 2:12-13). • Ultimately, the shipwreck ends exactly as promised: “Everyone reached land safely” (Acts 27:44)—God’s sovereignty confirmed through human cooperation. The line reminds us that rejecting God’s revealed conditions, whether for temporal rescue or eternal salvation, leaves no alternative path. summary Acts 27:31 anchors certainty in God’s promise to concrete obedience: stay with the ship and you will live. Paul models confident faith that speaks up; the centurion models humility that listens; the crew models the necessity of staying where God places them. The verse teaches that divine assurance and human action work hand in glove, and that safety—physical or spiritual—lies in trusting and obeying the clear word of the Lord. (31) Except these abide in the ship . . .--We need hardly embarrass ourselves with the question how far the divine promise was dependent on the contingency thus specified. Prompt vigour, and clear discernment of what was needed on the instant, spoke out in the Apostle's words. The assurance that had been graciously given was to be realised, not by the apathy of a blind fatalism, but by man's co-operation. It was obvious that landsmen like the soldiers and the prisoners would be quite unequal to the task of handling a large ship under such critical conditions, and the presence of the sailors was therefore, from a human point of view, essential to the safety of the others. The thoughtful vigilance of St. Paul, even in those hours of darkness, was eminently characteristic.Verse 31. - Paul said. It is remarkable what ascendency Paul had gained during this terrible fortnight. He now penetrated in a moment the design of the selfish sailors, and, with his wonted decision, told the centurion, who was in command of the whole party (ver. 11), and who, it is likely, had iris soldiers on deck to preserve order and discipline. Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. The ὑμεῖς is emphatic, you yourselves.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [But] PaulΠαῦλος (Paulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. centurion ἑκατοντάρχῃ (hekatontarchē) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 1543: A centurion of the Roman army. Or hekatontarchos hek-at-on'-tar-khos; from hekaton and archo; the captain of one hundred men. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. soldiers, στρατιώταις (stratiōtais) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 4757: A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior. “Unless Ἐὰν (Ean) Conjunction Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. these [men] οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. remain μείνωσιν (meinōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ship, πλοίῳ (ploiō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. cannot δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. be saved.” σωθῆναι (sōthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. Links Acts 27:31 NIVActs 27:31 NLT Acts 27:31 ESV Acts 27:31 NASB Acts 27:31 KJV Acts 27:31 BibleApps.com Acts 27:31 Biblia Paralela Acts 27:31 Chinese Bible Acts 27:31 French Bible Acts 27:31 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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