Note 6 at Acts 27:17: These helps were cables which they strung under the ship and anchored to the decks. They gave extra strength to the hull of the ship against the violence of the storm. The Greek word that is translated "helps" here is only used twice in the Bible. The other time it is used is in Heb. 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The help that these cables supplied to this ship is very descriptive of the help afforded us by the Lord in time of need.

Note 7 at Acts 27:17: In a storm such as this, it is certain that the sails had already been lowered. Therefore, most scholars believe that this refers to the removal of the mast to which the sails were attached so that the structure of the ship would not be weakened by the working of the mast.