Paul and Barnabas (2)—When Godly Motives Clash - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.
Acts 15:37-39 NKJV

Paul and Barnabas (2)—When Godly Motives Clash
Paul and Barnabas were about to begin their second missionary journey. Barnabas was "determined" to bring along John Mark, a young relative of his, who had accompanied them on their first journey. Paul "insisted" that they not take Mark with them—he had proved unreliable during their first mission. If he had abandoned the work once, he might do it again. Paul's concern was legitimate; he needed reliable workers who could be trusted, who would not run when circumstances got tough, which indeed they would. Barnabas, on the other hand, ever ready to see the best in others and encourage them spiritually, thought it good to give the young man a second chance. He saw something in Mark, a potential to be serviceable for God, and perhaps giving him a second chance would solidify that. Paul reasoned that it had been a mistake to take him the first time, so why make the same error twice? The stakes were too high and the price too costly.

Both Paul and Barnabas had valid points, both had godly motives, yet a "sharp" contention, or "warm feeling" (jnd), had occurred between them. If the names of those involved in this conflict between brethren had been anonymous, we might have thought, "What else is new?" But, Paul and Barnabas!

Differences of opinion happen among us at times—it is inevitable. However, we should be slow to impute bad motives to one another. This incident resulted in a temporary separation between two servants of Christ, yet God would bring blessing out of it. What a lesson for our hearts: even the best of men are at best just men. We are all prone to failure!

-- Brian Reynolds