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NASB | Acts 15:38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 15:38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. |
Subject: Why did Paul and Barnabas disagree? |
Bible Note: Thank you Steve for a very Scripturally detailed answer! Did John Mark have 'homesickness'? Paul may have questioned the commitment of John Mark after he deserted them in Pamphylia (Acts 15:38), and Barnabas, 'the encourager', thought it wise to take him along and give him a chance, much the same way as he did with Paul in Acts 9:27.. We can learn from the example of Barnabas here. We can also get a greater picture of the calling of Paul, as he was so focused on missions and being fully committed to the Lord. It is also interesting to note that Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10) which would further explain Barnabas' defense of Mark. But of course (as you have pointed out) this dispute came to a close by the time of the writing of 2 Timothy 4:11, where we see the reconciliation of Paul and John Mark. Either way, the Lord works even in our disagreements, since this allowed Paul and Silas to become partners in ministering the Gospel in his second journey, and Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, spreading the Gospel, only to be later reunited with Paul again (2 Tim. 4:11). Good study! Nolan |