Three ships convey him to Rome, one of which is cast away on the island of Melita; if we follow the fortunes of these three ships this section of Acts may be divided into three parts:
Cæsarea to Myra (a city of Lycia) or the fortunes of Paul upon the first ship (Acts 27:1-5). Aristarchus and Luke were the companions who embarked with the Great Apostle upon a ship of Adramyttium. Paul was in charge of Julius, "a centurion of Augustus's band." The first stop was at Sidon where Paul was given "liberty to go unto his friends and refresh himself." The ship then sailed for the city of Myra in Lycia passing to the east and north of the island of Cyprus.
Myra to the Island of Melita, or the fortunes of Paul upon the second ship (27:6-28:10). Arrived at the city of Myra the whole company changed ships, re-embarking in a large ship which was probably engaged in the grain carrying trade between Alexandria in Egypt and Rome. This portion of the voyage was full of difficulties from the beginning. From Myra to Cnidus (a peninsula which projected from the Carian coast having Cos on the north and Rhodes on the south) the progress against baffling winds was slow. The first stop was made at Fair Havens, a place upon the southern coast of Crete (the modern Candia). It was here that Paul foretold the serious danger to the ship if the voyage should be continued. But the centurion taking the advice of the master and owner of the ship, and because the harbour "was not commodious to winter in," determined to make an attempt to reach Phenice (a harbour west of Crete and upon the same side of the island). The adventures that befell the ship's company, and, the misfortune that came to the ship, in the terrible fourteen days that followed after the departure from Fair Havens are best understood through the graphic language of Luke, an eye witness (Acts 27:14-44 should be read carefully in this connection). It is in this time of trial that Paul steps forth and shows his mastery over men. Comforted himself by "the angel of God" he comforts others in declaring that no harm shall come to the lives of those in the ship. In the midst of this great storm he alone is calm and able to insist that his companions keep up their courage and strength, and not to give away to despair. The island of Melita (the modern Malta), where the shipwreck took place, lies directly south of Sicily. The place where the Great Apostle was cast ashore is now known as St. Paul's Bay. The inhabitants of the island received the ship's company "with no little kindness" and Paul engaged here in a healing ministry, curing the father of Publius, the chief man of the island, of a fever and many others of diseases. In whatever place or circumstances Paul comes he at once begins to exercise his Christian gifts.
The Island of Melita to Rome, or the adventures of Paul on the third ship (Acts 28:11-16). Three months were spent at Melita. Then Paul and the company embarked on another Alexandrian grain ship for Puteoli, "eight miles southwest of Naples and the principal harbour south of Rome in Paul's day." "It was the port at which the Egyptian grain ships usually unloaded." There were two stops made on the way to Puteoli, one at Syracuse in Sicily and the other at Rhegium, at the southern point of Italy. At Puteoli Paul found Christian brethren with whom he remained for seven days. The Roman Christians came but to meet Paul at Apii Forum, forty-three miles, and the Three Taverns, thirty-three miles from Rome. This expression of love and interest in him and his welfare greatly cheered the heart of the Apostle.
PAUL AT ROME
Testifying to the Jews (Acts 28:17-27).—After an interval of only three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and explained to them why he had been sent to Rome. He declared that he had no accusation to make against his nation to the Roman authorities, but that he was a prisoner on account of his advocacy of the hope of Israel fulfilled in Jesus Christ. But the Jews replied that they had had no word about Paul from Jerusalem. Desiring to hear more of what Paul had to say about the Christians they appointed a day in which they would hear Paul at his lodgings. This hearing was evidently very thorough, and the usual division was made of believing and unbelieving Jews.
Testifying to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28).—Paul receiving no sufficient response to his words from the Jews now turns his attention to the Gentiles.
The Two Years' Imprisonment (Acts 28:30, 31) was spent in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, in his own hired house, and receiving all who came to him. Although Paul was a prisoner he was allowed complete freedom of speech.
Incidental Notices of this Imprisonment are found in the four Epistles which were written from Rome during its continuance. Prof. J. R. Lumby, D.D. (Acts, Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) says: "We know from first to last the prisoner's chain hurt Paul (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Phil. 1:13, 16; Col. 4:18; Philem. 1, 9, 10), and that his cause was at times an object of much anxiety (Phil. 2:23, 24). We also learn from the same letters that besides Luke and Aristarchus (Acts 27:2; 28:15) he had also the fellowship, for some time at least, of Tychicus, who (Eph. 6:21) was the bearer of his letter to Ephesus; of Timothy, whom (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1) he joins with himself in the greeting to the churches of Philippi and Colossæ and also in that to Philemon. In the former of these churches Timothy had been a fellow laborer with the Apostle. Epaphroditus came with the Philippian contributions to the aid of the imprisoned Apostle (Phil. 4:18). Onesimus found out Paul when in flight from his master he made his way to Rome (Col. 4:9; Philem. 10). Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, was also there and another Jewish convert, Jesus, called Justus, of whom we only know that the Apostle considered him worthy to be called a fellow worker unto the kingdom of God (Col. 4:11). Epaphras from the churches of Laodicea and Hieropolis, had come to visit Paul, and to bring him greetings doubtless of the Christians there, and carry back some words of earnest council and advice from the Roman prisoner (Col. 4:12, 13). Last of all Demas was there to be mentioned as having forsaken the good way through love of this present world (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:10). More than this and the few words in verses thirty and thirty-one, of Acts 28, we do not know of this first imprisonment." His spirit however was unsubdued through all his hardships and he was ever exhorting the disciples of Christ to rejoice in Him (Phil. 2:1, 2; 4:4).
The Further Travels of Paul are considered in Study 10.