A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 27:32

"Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off." — Acts 27:32 (ASV)

The ropes (τα σχοινια). Diminutive of σχοινος, old word, but in N.T. only here and Joh 2:15. Paul is now saviour of the ship and the soldiers quickly cut loose the skiff and "let her fall off" (ειασαν αυτην εκπεσειν) rather than be the means of the escape of the sailors who were needed. This dastardly scheme of the sailors would have brought frightful loss of life.