King James Version

What Does Acts 27:10 Mean?

Acts 27:10 in the King James Version says “And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship... — study this verse from Acts chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. hurt: or, injury

Acts 27:10 · KJV


Context

8

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens ; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, the fast: the fast was on the tenth day of the seventh month

10

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. hurt: or, injury

11

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12

And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I perceive (θεωρῶ, theōrō)—Paul's verb suggests careful observation and spiritual insight, not mere opinion. His warning specified hurt and much damage (ὕβρεως καὶ πολλῆς ζημίας, hybreōs kai pollēs zēmias)—violence and great loss, not only to cargo (the lading) and ship, but to our lives (τῶν ψυχῶν, tōn psychōn, literally 'souls'). This proved partially accurate: all survived (27:44) but ship and cargo were lost. Paul's prophecy demonstrates that spiritual gifting operates even in secular contexts; God's servants can speak authoritatively about practical matters when guided by the Spirit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul spoke from experience—2 Corinthians 11:25 mentions three prior shipwrecks (before this one). As a seasoned traveler who had sailed extensively throughout the Mediterranean, his nautical knowledge combined with spiritual discernment. The economic pressure to continue was enormous: grain ships carried Rome's food supply from Egypt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use your natural experience and spiritual gifting together for his purposes?
  2. When have you faced situations where economic or practical pressures tempted you to ignore spiritual warning?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
λέγων1 of 26

And said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῖς,2 of 26

unto them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἄνδρες3 of 26

Sirs

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

θεωρῶ4 of 26

I perceive

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

ὅτι5 of 26

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μετὰ6 of 26

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ὕβρεως7 of 26

hurt

G5196

insolence (as over-bearing), i.e., insult, injury

καὶ8 of 26

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πολλῆς9 of 26

much

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ζημίας10 of 26

damage

G2209

detriment

οὐ11 of 26

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μόνον12 of 26

only

G3440

merely

τοῦ13 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φόρτου14 of 26

of the lading

G5414

something carried, i.e., the cargo of a ship

καὶ15 of 26

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ16 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλοίου17 of 26

ship

G4143

a sailer, i.e., vessel

ἀλλὰ18 of 26

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ19 of 26

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ψυχῶν21 of 26

lives

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

ἡμῶν22 of 26

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

μέλλειν23 of 26

will be

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

ἔσεσθαι24 of 26
G2071

will be

τὸν25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλοῦν26 of 26

this voyage

G4144

a sail, i.e., navigation


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 27:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 27:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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