John Calvin Commentary Acts 27:33

"And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing." — Acts 27:33 (ASV)

And when the day began. Whatever the mariners think, Paul’s faith does not waver; but he leans steadfastly on the promise that was made to him. For he does not only exhort them to eat food, as did the one who, in extreme despair, uttered these words, "Dine, soldiers, we shall sup in hell"; but continuing steadfast in his prophecy, he desires them to be of good courage.

The power of faith reveals itself when it arms us with patience and valiantly bears off and beats back those assaults with which Satan tries to shake it.

But when he says that they continued fasting for fourteen days, it may seem absurd and false. One man might be found who can endure fasting for a long time, but it is scarcely credible for such a great multitude.

We may easily answer that their unusual abstinence from food is improperly called fasting, because they had not eaten their fill during all that time, and because those who are in sorrow and heaviness almost loathe food.

And because despair was the cause of this loathing of food, he affirms again that they shall live, provided they are of good courage.

For a faithful minister of the Word must not only deliver the promises but also counsel people to follow God wherever He calls them, and urge them not to be slothful and sluggish.

Furthermore, the meaning of the words is this: God has determined to save you; this confidence ought to animate you and make you joyful, so that you are not negligent in your own affairs.