seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Oh this looks like such a mundane set of verses. When I got to the commentary, I saw that this was more than a mundane little spat over who would be on which team. John called Mark: John Mark had previously left the missionary party under what seemed to be less than honorable circumstances (Acts 13:13). This probably made Paul unwilling to trust him on future endeavors.
Barnabas was determined… But Paul insisted: Luke did not give us a clue as to who was right and who was wrong in the dispute between Paul and Barnabas. But it is never good when personal disputes flare up among those serving in the ministry.
i. Then the contention became so sharp: Wherever there is sharp…contention, someone is wrong, and usually there is wrong on both sides. There could be no way that both Paul and Barnabas were each walking in the Spirit on this issue.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus: Since Barnabas was John Mark’s cousin , and because Barnabas had such an encouraging, accepting character , it is easy to see why he would be more understanding towards John Mark.
Paul chose Silas: Silas (also called Silvanus in several passages) became an important part of Paul’s team in doing the work of the ministry.
- Silas was recognized as one of the leading men among the brethren.
- Silas was a prophet.
- Silas was a Roman citizen.
- Silas probably spoke Greek.
- Silas wrote out one of Peter’s letters and maybe some of Paul’s.
