In today's reading, Paul warns about the dangers of sailing at that time of year. The Fast was the Day of Atonement, which was commemorated sometime in September or October at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. Paul was warning them not to make the voyage. Ships had no compass then. They navigated by the stars or simply followed the coastlands when possible. Overcast weather made sailing almost impossible and very dangerous. Sailing was doubtful in September/October and practically impossible by November, especially made difficult by the storms.

Notice in the readings for today that Paul begins this voyage as a prisoner in chains. Then the sailors listen to him and do what he suggests. He went from being in chains in the hold to advising the captain of the ship what to do. Paul tells them that an angel of God appeared to him during the night...not only appeared to him but stood beside him and spoke to him.

The centurion appears to be very sympathetic toward Paul. Was he beginning to believe Paul?

The ship is wrecked on the island of Malta. Malta was located 60 miles south of Sicily, had excellent harbors and was ideally located for trade. The islanders were from Phoenician ancestry.

Paul healed many people while he was on the island of Malta. We have stated many times that Scripture supports that the apostles (including Paul) were given all the gifts of the Spirit to the max. In this passage there is evidence of a couple of those gifts. The passage also helps us to understand the difference between two similar gifts.

There is a nuance on the words healed and cured. Paul healed the father of Publius. This word means the man was instantly healed and made well. This would be the gift of miracles. When the rest of the sick from the island came to Paul it says he cured them. The word cured means a continuing treatment and slow healing. This would be the gift of healing. Paul quoted Isaiah who also mentions the word "heal". Isaiah is saying that if people will see, hear, understand, and turn, God would heal them, meaning it would be an instant thing.

The Jewish leaders came to see Paul in Rome saying, "...we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect." They were speaking of the sect, "The Way". Isn't it interesting that even today in Israel, the Jews are talking against the "sect" - the Messianic Jews.

A perfect example of how God turns bad into good is this one. While Paul was under house arrest he wrote the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. Had Paul not been confined, maybe he wouldn’t have written those letters and we wouldn’t have them to read today!

Paul spent a total of five years in chains.

The book of Acts ends abruptly but powerfully and beautifully with Paul giving us a wonderful example of Christian living.
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”