Except these abide in the ship, &c.— "Unless these mariners continue in the ship, without whose help we know not how to manage her, ye cannot be saved; for the promise made you of your lives was to be understood as given on condition of your taking the most prudential measures to secure them, that present circumstances will admit." God foretold the deliverance of the ship's company as certain, though suspended on this condition, because he knew it would be complied with; and directed St. Paul to urge the necessity of that compliance, as what he knew would be the successful means of securing it; though none can deny but these sailors had a natural power of going out of the ship, or the soldiers a natural power of permitting them to do it. The application of this remark to other affairs of great moment, appears both easy and important. See the Inferences.
Related Commentaries of Acts 27:31
Acts 27:31
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.