27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. (Acts 27:27-32 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
A further account is here given both of the apostle’s imminent danger and extra-ordinary deliverance; for fourteen days together the ship was continually tossed in the sea; at last, the mariners cast four anchors out of the ship, and, by the help of a boat, intended to make their escape, leaving the passengers to shift for themselves: St. Paul, perceiving this, told the centurion and the soldiers that, though Almighty God had promised to preserve them, yet they must not expect it without using due means for their own preservation, which was to ensure that the mariners stay in the ship; whose help and diligence, direction, and care, would be especially needful to them on such an occasion. Hereupon the soldiers, to prevent the mariners’ plan of escape, cut the ropes of the boat, and let it fall into the sea.
Learn hence, That the end and the means are always joined together in the purpose and decree of God. The same God that ordained the end, ordained the means in order to that end; therefore, as to trust to means is to neglect God, so to neglect the means is to tempt God.
As here, That God who decreed that they should not perish with the ship, decreed that the skilful seamen should abide in the ship. Almighty God likes not to be tied to means himself, but it is his pleasure to tie us.
Sometimes, to show his sovereignty, he is pleased to work without means.
Sometimes, to show his omnipotency, he works against means; the fire shall not burn, the water shall not drown, the iron shall swim, the sun shall stand still, nay, go several degrees backward.
The first cause can suspend the power and operation of the second cause when he pleases. But as the care of the end means belongs to us, and must be used when they may, and where they can be used.
Accordingly here, the mariners, in order to their own and others’ preservation which was needful. The purpose of God to prolong our lives must not lessen our care for the preservation of our lives; when God has ordained and appointed means, we cannot expect to find safety in the neglect or contempt of those means.