Overview
Phenice was a port city on Crete's southern coast where Paul's centurion-guarded ship attempted to winter during Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner. The ship's officers hoped this harbor would offer superior protection from winter storms compared to their current anchorage at Fair Havens.
Key Scriptures
"Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore." (Acts 27:13, ESV)
"And when much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, 'Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.'" (Acts 27:21, ESV)
Application
Paul's warnings about the journey to Phenice remind us to heed godly counsel and spiritual discernment, even when circumstances appear favorable to human reasoning.