safely, but heavy enough to sink him that has it. The children of this world can be prodigal of their
goods for the saving their lives, yet are sparing of them in works of piety and charity, and in suffering
for Christ. Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but many rather make
shipwreck of faith and a good conscience, than of their goods. The means the sailors used did not
succeed; but when sinners give up all hope of saving themselves, they are prepared to understand
God's word, and to trust in his mercy through Jesus Christ.
Verses 21–29
They did not hearken to the apostle when he warned them of their danger; yet if they
acknowledge their folly, and repent of it, he will speak comfort and relief to them when in danger.
Most people bring themselves into trouble, because they do not know when they are well off; they
come to harm and loss by aiming to mend their condition, often against advice. Observe the solemn
profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or tempests can hinder God's favour to his
people, for he is a Help always at hand. It is a comfort to the faithful servants of God when in
difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for them to do, their lives shall be prolonged. If
Paul had thrust himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been cast away with
them; but God calling him into it, they are preserved with him. They are given thee; there is no
greater satisfaction to a good man than to know he is a public blessing. He comforts them with the
same comforts wherewith he himself was comforted. God is ever faithful, therefore let all who
have an interest in his promises be ever cheerful. As, with God, saying and doing are not two things,
believing and enjoying should not be so with us. Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast,
entering into that within the veil. Let those who are in spiritual darkness hold fast by that, and think
not of putting to sea again, but abide by Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee
away.
Verses 30–38
God, who appointed the end, that they should be saved, appointed the means, that they should
be saved by the help of these shipmen. Duty is ours, events are God's; we do not trust God, but
tempt him, when we say we put ourselves under his protection, if we do not use proper means, such
as are within our power, for our safety. But how selfish are men in general, often even ready to
seek their own safety by the destruction of others! Happy those who have such a one as Paul in
their company, who not only had intercourse with Heaven, but was of an enlivening spirit to those
about him. The sorrow of the world works death, while joy in God is life and peace in the greatest
distresses and dangers. The comfort of God's promises can only be ours by believing dependence
on him, to fulfil his word to us; and the salvation he reveals must be waited for in use of the means
he appoints. If God has chosen us to salvation, he has also appointed that we shall obtain it by
repentance, faith, prayer, and persevering obedience; it is fatal presumption to expect it in any other
way. It is an encouragement to people to commit themselves to Christ as their Saviour, when those
who invite them, clearly show that they do so themselves.
Verses 39–44