John Calvin Commentary Acts 27:15

"and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way [to it,] and were driven." — Acts 27:15 (ASV)

When the ship was caught. Luke says that what happened here is what usually happens in extreme danger; namely, they allowed themselves to be carried by the winds. Since they had first traveled some distance, and the mariners thought that everything was happening as they wished, undoubtedly they derided Paul’s admonition, just as rash men commonly grow proud if fortune favors them.

Now that they were caught, they were grievously punished for their boldness. Indeed, when they drew near to a harbor, they were no less afraid that they might wreck the ship than they had been before of it overturning. Luke diligently notes all these things, from which we may gather that the storm was so vehement and fierce, and that it continued unabated, so that they were constantly in danger of death.

He also declares that they courageously used all remedies that might save them from shipwreck, and that they did not spare the merchandise and tackling. From this we gather that they were compelled, by a keen sense of danger, to do whatever they could. And Luke adds that when they had attempted all things, they despaired of their safety.

And surely the very darkness of the sky was, as it were, a grave. Nor do we need to doubt that the Lord intended by this means to highlight and make more remarkable the grace of their deliverance which followed shortly after. Nevertheless, He allowed His servant to struggle with the rest, until he thought he was going to die.

For He did not appear to him by His angel before it might seem that he was past hope of recovery. Therefore, his body was not only tossed amidst many storms, but his soul was also shaken with violent temptations. Nevertheless, the outcome shows that he stood firm by faith, so that he did not lose heart.

Luke says nothing of his prayers; but because Paul himself says afterward that the angel of God, whom he served, appeared to him, it is likely that while others were cursing both heaven and earth, he made his prayers to God, and so was quiet, and patiently waited for the Lord’s timing.

And when Luke says that all hope of safety was taken away, this must not be understood as referring to Paul’s own feeling of hopelessness, but only to the human means available; as if to say, that circumstances were so desperate that no safety could be expected from human efforts.