SEV Biblia, Chapter 27:43
Mas el centurin, queriendo salvar a Pablo, estorb este acuerdo, y mand que los que pudiesen nadar, se echasen los primeros, y saliesen a tierra;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 27:43
Verse 43. Willing to save Paul, &c.] Had one fallen, for the reasons those cruel and dastardly soldiers gave, so must all the rest. The centurion save that Paul vas not only an innocent, but an extraordinary and divine man; and therefore, for his sake, he prevented the massacre; and, unloosing every man's bonds, he commanded those that could to swim ashore and escape. It is likely that all the soldiers escaped in this way, for it was one part of the Roman military discipline to teach the soldiers to swim.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 43. But the centurion, willing to save Paul , etc.] Not only because he was a Roman citizen, but because he perceived he was some extraordinary person; and chiefly because he was moved there unto by a superior influence, that Satan might not have his end; and that the will of God might be fulfilled, that he should go to Rome, and there bear a testimony of Christ. Kept them from their purpose ; would not suffer them to execute their design, restrained them from it, and laid his commands upon them to the contrary. And commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land ; which some restrain to the Roman soldiers, as if the centurions speech was only directed to them; though it seems rather to have respect to the whole company, the mariners, who generally can swim, and the soldiers, as many of them as could, and the rest of the prisoners or passengers; though it may be, he might chiefly regard the soldiers, who were usually learned to swim, that they might the more readily pass rivers, in their marches, where they could find no bridges, that so he might be the sooner rid of them, and break their purpose.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 39-44 - The ship that had weathered the storm in the open sea, where it ha room, is dashed to pieces when it sticks fast. Thus, if the heart fixe in the world in affection, and cleaving to it, it is lost. Satan' temptations beat against it, and it is gone; but as long as it keep above the world, though tossed with cares and tumults, there is hop for it. They had the shore in view, yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour; thus we are taught never to be secure. Though there is grea difficulty in the way of the promised salvation, it shall, withou fail, be brought to pass. It will come to pass that whatever the trial and dangers may be, in due time all believers will get safely to heaven. Lord Jesus, thou hast assured us that none of thine shal perish. Thou wilt bring them all safe to the heavenly shore. And what pleasing landing will that be! Thou wilt present them to thy Father and give thy Holy Spirit full possession of them for ever __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ εκατονταρχος 1543 N-NSM βουλομενος 1014 5740 V-PNP-NSM διασωσαι 1295 5658 V-AAN τον 3588 T-ASM παυλον 3972 N-ASM εκωλυσεν 2967 5656 V-AAI-3S αυτους 846 P-APM του 3588 T-GSN βουληματος 1013 N-GSN εκελευσεν 2753 5656 V-AAI-3S τε 5037 PRT τους 3588 T-APM δυναμενους 1410 5740 V-PNP-APM κολυμβαν 2860 5721 V-PAN απορριψαντας 641 5660 V-AAP-APM πρωτους 4413 A-APM επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF γην 1093 N-ASF εξιεναι 1826 5750 V-PXN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
27:43 {To save Paul} (diaswsai ton paulon). Effective first aorist active infinitive of diaswzw. And no wonder for the centurion knew now how much they all owed to Paul. {Stayed them from their purpose} (ekwleusen autous tou boulematos.) Ablative case of boulema after ekwleusen (from kwleuw, to hinder, common verb). {And get first to land} (prwtous eis ten gen exienai). this classic verb exeimi occurs four times in Acts (#13:42; 17:15; 20:7; 27:32) and nowhere else in the N.T. It was a wise command.
