John Calvin Commentary Acts 27:2

"And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us." — Acts 27:2 (ASV)

And there continued with us. Luke seems so to commend one man’s constancy, that he criticizes the rest. For there were more who accompanied him to Jerusalem, of whom we see only two who remained with him. But because it may be that the rest were hindered by some just causes, or that Paul refused to have them minister to him, I will say nothing either way.

Neither is it an unfitting thing to say that Luke had some special reason for which he commends this man above the rest, although he was but one of many. Surely, it is likely that he was a rich man, seeing he was able to bear the expenses he incurred for three years, having left his house.

For we heard before (Acts 17:11) that many of the chief families in Thessalonica received Christ, and Luke says, for honor’s sake, that Aristarchus and Secundus came with Paul into Asia (Acts 20:4). Therefore, let it be sufficient for us to hold to what is certain and good to know: that an example of holy patience is set before us.

This is because Aristarchus is not wearied by any trouble, but willingly shares in Paul's trouble. After he had been in prison with him for two years, he now crosses the seas so that he may likewise minister to him at Rome, not without the reproaches of many, besides the loss of his goods at home, and such great expenses.