What does Acts 27:25 mean?
Paul has spent the last two years trying to convince people that God's word to him is true. When a mob tried to kill him outside the temple (Acts 21:30–31), he explained that Jesus appeared to him, revealed He is the Messiah, and commissioned him to spread His offer of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 22:3–21). Next, he tried to convince the Sadducees in the Sanhedrin that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 23:1–10). During his first trial, he testified to Governor Felix he was innocent of the Sanhedrin's charges; Felix believed him but didn't free him from custody (Acts 24). Governor Festus was not much better (Acts 25:1–12). He almost convinced King Agrippa II that Jesus is the Messiah, but Agrippa pulled back at the last minute. At least Agrippa admitted Paul hadn't committed a crime (Acts 26).More recently, Paul tried to convince the captain and pilot of his ship that if they left the shelter of southern Crete, they risked their ship, the cargo, and every life onboard. The sailors insisted they needed to go farther west to a better port, but barely got underway before a strong wind blew them into a violent storm that seemed to never end (Acts 27:9–20).
Now, Paul tries to convince the other 275 passengers and crew members they are going to live. He starts his pep-talk with a reminder that he was right (Acts 27:21). This is not for his own ego, but so they'll believe him now when he repeats the message God has given him. He trusts God, even when no one else does, and he will not stop bringing God's message to others. God has spoken: the ship and cargo will be lost, but everyone will live. They still have at least a week to go, but they will live.
