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dangerous; about this time of the year the Pleiades set, which brings on
tempestuous weather, and unfit for sailing:

From October until March, ships usually remain in their home harbor because the weather is
too unpredictable. Paul will advise them not to sail, but remain in Crete for the winter. He will
sense in his spirit the extreme danger of the voyage to the ship, its cargo, and the passengers.

Act 27:10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not
only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."

Paul waits for his spirit to bear witness because of the natural danger of this time of year. He
perceives that the danger will be too great. Some believers would want to go on “in faith” and
trust God. If something is not directly told you in God’s Word, you can only act in faith on what
your spirit perceives by the direction of the Holy Spirit. In this case, the Holy Spirit is telling Paul
not to go. The crew is tired of Lasea and wants to go on to Rome where times are more
exciting. Paul will be overruled by the captain and majority opinion. The will of the majority is
not always correct.

Paul went through three shipwrecks during his lifetime (2 Corinthians 11:25).

27:10 disaster, hubris (hoo-bris); Hurt, loss, injury arising from violence, damage caused
by the elements, hardship, detriment, trouble, and danger. In 2 Corinthians 12:10,
where Paul described the reproaches he endured for the Lord’s sake, hubris denotes
insolence, impudence, a haughty attitude, insult, injury, outrage, persecution, and
affront. The word is definitely adversarial. (Compare “hubristic” and “hybrid.”)
Act 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of
the ship Than by the things spoken by Paul.

Once a Roman soldier steps on board a ship, he is the final authority. Roman law is in effect.
However, this officer takes the word of the ship’s owner over Paul. The owner wants to get his
money for the grain, and he wants it quickly. The crew and passengers want to travel to Rome
because they are bored.

Act 27:12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail
from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward
the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

And because the haven was not commodious (accommodating) to winter in, the more part
(crew and passengers) advised to and depart thence (from there) also, if by any means they
might attain (make it) to Phenice (Phoenix), and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete,
and lieth for the south west and north west (navigational directions).

Phoenix is around the island and a more popular resort city in which to spend the winter. Yet
when it is not God’s will to move at all, even a small move is a play into the devil’s hands.