Paul's Wisdom
H. R. Haweis, M. A. Acts 27:32-38 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.… O wise Paul! — how many ills of the mind can be met, how many perils faced, how many sorrows tided over, by due and rational attention to the claims of the stomach and the equilibrium of the nervous system! How many cases which come to the vestry of the clergyman are more fit for the doctor's consulting room! How often in the house of death to the bereaved, to the watcher, might the clergyman, instead of overloading the patient with spiritual consolation, instead of feeding the wasting fire of grief with too much oil of sympathy, more wisely say to the exhausted and overwrought and weary friends and relatives, in the simple and homely words of Paul, "I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health." And even as Paul spake he began to eat before them — his courage, good sense, example were infectious. A change passed over the trembling crew. "There shall not a hair of your head fall," continued the great missioner; and he pointed heavenwards to the source of his prophetic consolation and good hope, "giving thanks to God in the presence of them all!" "Then were they all of good cheer." (H. R. Haweis, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. WEB: Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.