Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. Acts 27:11

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More literally, the Greek reads, “But the centurion rather trusted the pilot and the shipmaster than these spoken by Paul” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul noted from his personal experience and deduction that disaster lay ahead for the ship and the crew if the voyage to Rome was continued at this time. However, Paul’s views were not shared by all. As it next says, “But the centurion rather trusted the pilot and the shipmaster.”

This is not a failing on the part of the centurion. He may have surmised that Paul wanted to delay his trip to Rome for some reason. Further, the ship was under the authority of these other two. It would seem illogical for them to risk everything if they didn’t know what they were doing.

However, the centurion probably ignored the fact that these men may have had a lot of loss by simply staying in port and waiting for the season to turn more favorable in order to continue the journey. He had to weigh out the matter and come to a decision. In the end, he accepted the words of these above those of Paul.

Both of these positions are new to Scripture. The first is the kubernétés, or pilot. This is derived from the same source as a similar noun found in 1 Corinthians 12:28, kubernésis, someone who steers, which is then applied to one who governs or administrates. Thus, the kubernétés is a steersman, helmsman, or pilot. This word is only found here and in Revelation 18:17.

The next word is the naukléros, or shipmaster. It is found only here in the New Testament. It is derived from two words signifying ship and lot (as in a lot that is cast), and thus a clerk. Therefore, it speaks of the ship owner or shipmaster who hires out his ship.

Both of these men would normally be considered experienced enough to know what would be proper concerning the vessel they were in charge of. Therefore, the centurion accepted their words more “than these spoken by Paul.”

It will be an unfortunate choice. Paul will be sure to remind them of the consequences of not listening to him when disaster has fully come upon them.

Life application: The centurion, despite having sympathy for Paul, as was previously seen, was more willing to trust the judgment of the helmsman and the ship owner. He didn’t consider the fact that the owner of the ship was surely under financial constraint.

The cargo was susceptible to being ruined if it sat too long and the shipmaster was paid by the owner. They would be more willing to take the chance of moving on because of this in order to find a more suitable harbor, or even make the entire journey to Rome, even with the associated dangers.

As noted, the centurion had to make a decision and he could not get inside of the heads and lives of the men who were making their arguments before him. He will, however, find out that Paul was a straight shooter. This is something that is important for us as Christians.

We need to be so trustworthy in what we say that people can take our words at face value. This is actually a charge for us from both Jesus and the apostles. We are told to let our yes be yes and our no be no. In other words, we are to speak and then perform according to our words. In this, we will be more reliable than even the steersman on a ship who must venture into the sea, risking life and/or property loss as he heads forth into the unknown.

As an interesting side note, the etymological root of our modern word cybernetics is from this same word, kubernétés. The word was first explained by Norbert Wiener, in his 1948 book of that title, noting it concerned the study of controlling and communicating in both the animal and the machine. This is true with the other word, kubernésis, as well. One can see the etymological root of cybernesis. Fun stuff, right out of the Bible.

Lord God, may we be careful to include You in our major decisions of life. When we are faced with something that has more than one important avenue to take, and which could lead to unhappy results if we take the wrong one, may we remember to pray to You and ask for Your guidance. In this, we will at least know that we have Your hand with us as we continue down the path we ultimately take. To Your glory, we pray this. Amen.