Shipwreck
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In biblical literature, the concept of shipwreck is both a literal and metaphorical theme, illustrating physical peril and spiritual disaster. The Bible contains several accounts and references to shipwrecks, which serve as powerful narratives and allegories for faith, perseverance, and divine intervention.

Literal Shipwrecks

One of the most notable accounts of a shipwreck in the Bible is found in the Book of Acts, detailing the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. In Acts 27, Paul, a prisoner at the time, is being transported by ship when they encounter a violent storm. Despite Paul's warnings, the ship's crew decides to set sail from Crete, leading to a catastrophic shipwreck. The narrative describes the storm's ferocity and the crew's desperate attempts to save the ship:

"When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." (Acts 27:20)

Paul reassures the crew with a message of hope, revealing that an angel of God had assured him of their safety:

"But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not a single one of you will be lost, only the ship will be destroyed." (Acts 27:22)

Ultimately, all aboard are saved, fulfilling God's promise and demonstrating His providence and protection.

Metaphorical Shipwrecks

In addition to literal shipwrecks, the Bible uses the imagery of shipwreck to describe spiritual failure or the loss of faith. The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral letters, warns against the dangers of straying from the truth and the consequences of such actions. In 1 Timothy, Paul speaks of those who have rejected faith and a good conscience:

"Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." (1 Timothy 1:19)

This metaphorical use of shipwreck underscores the importance of maintaining a steadfast faith and adhering to sound doctrine. It serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain vigilant and anchored in their spiritual journey.

Symbolism and Lessons

The theme of shipwreck in the Bible is rich with symbolism. It represents the trials and tribulations that believers may face in their lives, both physically and spiritually. The accounts of shipwrecks highlight the necessity of faith, the importance of heeding divine guidance, and the assurance of God's presence even in the midst of chaos.

The account of Paul's shipwreck, in particular, illustrates the power of faith and the fulfillment of God's promises. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul's unwavering trust in God's word leads to the salvation of all aboard. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to remain faithful, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

In summary, shipwrecks in the Bible serve as poignant reminders of the perils of life and the steadfastness required in faith. They call believers to rely on God's guidance and to remain anchored in His truth, ensuring that their spiritual journey remains on course.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The breaking in pieces, or shattering, of a ship or other vessel by being cast ashore or driven against rocks, shoals, etc., by the violence of the winds and waves.

2. (n.) A ship wrecked or destroyed upon the water, or the parts of such a ship; wreckage.

3. (n.) Fig.: Destruction; ruin; irretrievable loss.

4. (v. t.) To destroy, as a ship at sea, by running ashore or on rocks or sandbanks, or by the force of wind and waves in a tempest.

5. (v. t.) To cause to experience shipwreck, as sailors or passengers. Hence, to cause to suffer some disaster or loss; to destroy or ruin, as if by shipwreck; to wreck; as, to shipwreck a business.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VOYAGE AND SHIPWRECK OF PAUL

voi'-aj, ship'-rek.

See PAUL, THE APOSTLE; PHOENIX; and "Literature" to SHIPS AND BOATS.

PAUL, VOYAGE AND SHIPWRECK OF

See PAUL, THE APOSTLE, V, 9; PHOENIX.

Greek
3489. nauageo -- to suffer shipwreck
... to suffer shipwreck. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: nauageo Phonetic Spelling:
(now-ag-eh'-o) Short Definition: I am shipwrecked, ruined Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3489.htm - 6k
Library

The Shipwreck.
... Homily XII. Chapter XVI."The Shipwreck. "However, that matters might be
thus arranged, I resolved to fabricate a dream, to the ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvi the shipwreck.htm

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... Lesson 42 The Voyage and Shipwreck. [This ... waves.". Paul and the other prisoners
were now threatened by a fate more terrible than shipwreck. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

The Shipwreck of Pilate
... CHAPTER VIII. THE SHIPWRECK OF PILATE. We have lingered long at the
judgment-seat of Pilate. Far too long. Pilate has detained us. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter viii the shipwreck of.htm

Whether Penance is a Second Plank after Shipwreck?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (TEN ARTICLES) Whether Penance is a second plank
after shipwreck? Objection 1: It would seem that Penance ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether penance is a second.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL'S SHIPWRECK. When it was decided that we were to sail
for Italy, Paul and certain other prisoners were placed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

Psalm 107 Part 4 Deliverance from Storms and Shipwreck; Or, the ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 107 PART 4 Deliverance from storms and shipwreck;
or, The seaman's song. LM Deliverance from storms and ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 107 part 4 deliverance.htm

Psalm 107:4. Fourth Part. LM Deliverance from Storms, and ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 107:4. Fourth Part. LM Deliverance
from storms, and shipwreck; or, The Seaman's song. 1 Would ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 107 4 0 fourth part l.htm

Whether all are Bound to Confession?
... are bound to confession, for Jerome says on Is.3:9 ("They have proclaimed abroad"),
"their sin," etc.: "Penance is the second plank after shipwreck." But some ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all are bound to 4.htm

1 Timothy i. 18, 19
... that thou by them mightest [mayest] war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good
conscience; which some having put away have made shipwreck concerning the ...
/.../homily v 1 timothy i.htm

Against those who Say that Demons Govern Human Affairs, and who ...
... For just as some generous and opulent man who has seen some one escape from shipwreck
and only able to save his bare body from the waves, cradles him in his ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i against those who.htm

Thesaurus
Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To cause to experience shipwreck, as sailors or passengers. ... Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. VOYAGE AND SHIPWRECK OF PAUL. voi'-aj, ship'-rek. ...
/s/shipwreck.htm - 8k

Wreck (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The destruction or injury of a vessel by being cast on shore, or on rocks,
or by being disabled or sunk by the force of winds or waves; shipwreck. ...
/w/wreck.htm - 8k

Voyage (5 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VOYAGE AND SHIPWRECK OF PAUL. ... See PAUL, THE APOSTLE;
PHOENIX; and "Literature" to SHIPS AND BOATS. PAUL, VOYAGE AND SHIPWRECK OF. ...
/v/voyage.htm - 8k

Melita (1 Occurrence)
... creek with a shore." It is about 2 miles deep and 1 broad, and the whole physical
condition of the scene answers the description of the shipwreck given in Acts ...
/m/melita.htm - 10k

Shipwrecked (2 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Shipwreck. ... 1 Timothy 1:19 having faith and a good conscience, which certain
having thrust away, concerning the faith did make shipwreck, (See NIV). ...
/s/shipwrecked.htm - 7k

Hymenaeus (2 Occurrences)
... In the passage in 1Ti Hymeneus is included in the "some" who had put away faith
and a good conscience and who had made shipwreck concerning faith. ...
/h/hymenaeus.htm - 13k

Wind (180 Occurrences)
... east wind thou breakest the ships of Tarshish" (Psalm 48:7). Euraquilo or Euroclydon
(Acts 27:14 the King James Version), which caused Paul's shipwreck, was an ...
/w/wind.htm - 45k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... who, with Hymenaeus and others, promulgated certain heresies regarding the resurrection
(1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Timothy 4:14), and made shipwreck of faith and of a ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Suffered (88 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three
times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. ...
/s/suffered.htm - 32k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... there are four words in use: (1) naus (Acts 27:41, the only place where it occurs,
designating the large sea-going vessel in which Paul suffered shipwreck). ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Resources
Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander, and what does it mean that their faith was shipwrecked? | GotQuestions.org

What should be our response when a Christian leader renounces the faith and falls away? | GotQuestions.org

What is a love feast? | GotQuestions.org

Shipwreck: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 11:25
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 27:27
Your wealth and your goods, the things in which you do trade, your seamen and those guiding your ships, those who make your boards watertight, and those who do business with your goods, and all your men of war who are in you, with all who have come together in you, will go down into the heart of the seas in the day of your downfall.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Shipwreck

Related Terms

Publius (2 Occurrences)

Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)

Lifeboat (3 Occurrences)

Floating (1 Occurrence)

Twenty (282 Occurrences)

Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)

Eziongeber (3 Occurrences)

Castaway (1 Occurrence)

Shipwrights (2 Occurrences)

Hours (4 Occurrences)

Boats (11 Occurrences)

Ships (46 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Ships: Worked by Mariners or Sailors
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