It’s Not That Great to Be a Barnabas

We first hear about Barnabas whose name was Joses in the book of Acts.  We find out he was a generous man.

[36] And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, [37] Having land, sold it , and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ~Acts 4:36-37 KJV

Barnabas was a man in the New Testament who was willing to give people a chance because he had a big heart. It was through Barnabas that Paul was able to be accepted by the apostles. Paul, formerly known as Saul, used to kill Christians because he thought he was doing the right thing by cutting out heresy from the land before He got saved. Therefore, Christians were afraid of him. It was Barnabas who convinced them of Paul’s conversion.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ~Acts 9:27 KJV

Paul and Barnabas became good friends and we see throughout the book of Acts chapters 13-15, that they preached the Word of God together. However, Paul was the type of man who drew a line. He knew that he did not want to work with a man who was unfaithful, but Barnabas wanted to give those types another chance. As a result, Paul and Barnabas fought about it and separated to do their own ministry.

[36] And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” [37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; [40] And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. ~Acts 15:36-40 KJV

First, Barnabas took his man and left. Although Barnabas was helpful, he was compromising. We find out that Mark was his cousin. However, Paul chose Silas and had brothers who recommended him to the grace of God. Later, we also discover that Barnabas was the one who ended up deceived.

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ~Galatians 2:13 KJV

Paul was the one who corrected them all. Paul wrote most of the New Testament and he was chosen as a master builder to build the foundation, which is Christ. It may seem to some that Barnabas was equally helpful, but ultimately we see that Paul was the accurate one who was used more mightily because of his higher standards and sobriety. However, later Paul requests Mark because he proved himself to be profitable.

[10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. ~2 Timothy 4:10-11 KJV

Unfortunately, we no longer hear about Barnabas as a fellow laborer. Paul also does not mention his name directly in his greetings.

It seems that the lesson we can learn through Paul and Barnabas is that God loves charitable people, but when they are compromising, they can easily slip into temptations. This is why God chose Paul for greater works.

This is another story that supports the fall of King Saul of the Old Testament; the message of that story was “obedience is better than sacrifice.” Paul was obedient first while Barnabas gave offerings first. Paul put the first commandment–first.