Acts 27:21

Long abstinence. That is, on the part of the crew and probably most of the passengers as well, as the Greek makes clear. The excitement and difficulty of operating the ship during the storm had made the regular preparation and use of food difficult. No doubt also many were seasick. Paul stood forth. Since the rejection of his advice while at Fair Havens, apparently Paul and his companions had left the captain and the crew to their own devices. Hearkened unto me. Paul’s “I told you so” was not by way of censure or unpleasant nagging, but to persuade the ship’s officers to heed what he was now about to say. If his advice (v. 10) had been followed, the danger and fear of the past several days could have been avoided. They would do well to listen to the further counsel he now had to give. Gained. Or, “incurred.” Harm and loss. They had lost the cargo and the rigging of the ship (vs. 18, 19), and now appeared about to lose the ship itself and their own lives (v. 20).