Act 15:36-39 | RWP | e4.org | Let us return now and visit the brethren ( επιστρεψαντες δε επισκεψωμεθα τους αδελφους ). Paul takes the initiative as the leader, all the more so if the rebuke to Peter and Barnabas in had already taken place. Paul is anxious, like a true missionary, to go back to the fields where he has planted the gospel. He uses the hortatory subjunctive ( επισκεψωμεθα ) for the proposal (see on for this verb). Note the repeated επ ( επι-στρεψαντες and επισκεψωμεθα ). There is special point in the use of δη (shortened form of ηδη ), now at this juncture of affairs (cf. ). How they fare ( πως εχουσιν ). Indirect question, "how they have it." The precariousness of the life of new converts in pagan lands is shown in all of Paul's Epistles (Furneaux). So he wanted to go city by city ( κατα πολιν πασαν ).

‏ Acts 15:36-39

Let us return now and visit the brethren ( επιστρεψαντες δε επισκεψωμεθα τους αδελφους ). Paul takes the initiative as the leader, all the more so if the rebuke to Peter and Barnabas in Ga 2:11-21 had already taken place. Paul is anxious, like a true missionary, to go back to the fields where he has planted the gospel. He uses the hortatory subjunctive ( επισκεψωμεθα ) for the proposal (see on 15:14 for this verb). Note the repeated επ ( επι-στρεψαντες and επισκεψωμεθα ). There is special point in the use of δη (shortened form of ηδη ), now at this juncture of affairs (cf. 13:2).

How they fare ( πως εχουσιν ). Indirect question, "how they have it." The precariousness of the life of new converts in pagan lands is shown in all of Paul's Epistles (Furneaux). So he wanted to go city by city ( κατα πολιν πασαν ).

Was minded to take with them ( εβουλετο συνπαραλαβειν ). Imperfect middle ( εβουλετο ), not aorist middle εβουλευσατο of the Textus Receptus. Barnabas willed, wished and stuck to it (imperfect tense). Συνπαραλαβειν is second aorist active infinitive of the double compound συνπαραλαμβανω, old verb to take along together with, used already about John Mark in 12:25 and by Paul in Ga 2:1 about Titus. Nowhere else in the N.T. Barnabas used the ingressive aorist in his suggestion.

But Paul thought not good to take with them ( Παυλος δε ηξιου--μη συνπαραλαμβανειν τουτον ). The Greek is far more effective than this English rendering. It is the imperfect active of αξιοω, old verb to think meet or right and the present active infinitive of the same verb ( συνπαραλαμβανω ) with negative used with this infinitive. Literally, "But Paul kept on deeming it wise not to be taking along with them this one." Barnabas looked on it as a simple punctiliar proposal (aorist infinitive), but Paul felt a lively realization of the problem of having a quitter on his hands (present infinitive). Each was insistent in his position (two imperfects). Paul had a definite reason for his view describing John Mark as "him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia" ( τον αποσταντα απ' αυτων απο Παμφυλιας ). Second aorist active articular participle of αφιστημ, intransitive use, "the one who stood off from, apostatized from" (our very word "apostasy"). And also as the one who "went not with them to the work" ( κα μη συνελθοντα αυτοις εις το εργον ). At Perga Mark had faced the same task that Paul and Barnabas did, but he flinched and flickered and quit. Paul declined to repeat the experiment with Mark.

A sharp contention ( παροξυσμος ). Our very word paroxysm in English. Old word though only twice in the N.T. (here and Heb 10:24), from παροξυνω, to sharpen ( παρα, οξυς ) as of a blade and of the spirit (Ac 17:16; 1Co 13:5). This "son of consolation" loses his temper in a dispute over his cousin and Paul uses sharp words towards his benefactor and friend. It is often so that the little irritations of life give occasion to violent explosions. If the incident in Ga 2:11-21 had already taken place, there was a sore place already that could be easily rubbed. And if Mark also joined with Peter and Barnabas on that occasion, Paul had fresh ground for irritation about him. But there is no way to settle differences about men and we can only agree to disagree as Paul and Barnabas did.

So that they parted asunder from one another ( ωστε αποχωρισθηνα αυτους απ' αλληλων ). Actual result here stated by ωστε and the first aorist passive infinitive of αποχωριζω, old verb to sever, to separate, here only and Re 6:4 in the N.T. The accusative of general reference ( αυτους ) is normal. For construction with ωστε see Robertson, Grammar, pp. 999f.

And Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus ( τον τε Βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον Μαρκον εκπλευσα εις Κυπρον ). Second infinitival clause εκπλευσα after ωστε connected by τε. The same participle is used here minus συν, παραλαβοντα (second aorist active). Barnabas and Mark sailed out ( εκπλευσα from εκπλεω ) from the harbour of Antioch. This is the last glimpse that Luke gives us of Barnabas, one of the noblest figures in the New Testament. Paul has a kindly reference to him in 1Co 9:6. No one can rightly blame Barnabas for giving his cousin John Mark a second chance nor Paul for fearing to risk him again. One's judgment may go with Paul, but one's heart goes with Barnabas. And Mark made good with Barnabas, with Peter (1Pe 5:13) and finally with Paul (Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11). See my little book on John Mark (Making Good in the Ministry). Paul and Barnabas parted in anger and both in sorrow. Paul owed more to Barnabas than to any other man. Barnabas was leaving the greatest spirit of the time and of all times.