But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
But the centurion, willing ('wishing') to save Paul, kept them from their purpose. Great must have been the influence of Paul over the centurion's mind to produce such an effect.
And commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: