In verse 37, we read that Barnabas wished to take with them his nephew "John, the

one called Mark". There may have been a variety of motives for this. Barnabas was a

near kinsman of John Mark. No doubt he had felt grieved to think that his nephew had

turned back at the first, and rejoiced now to know that he had returned and was willing to

serve. We cannot say that Barnabas was entirely free from personal motives; his

intensions, like those of most of us, were probably mixed. Neither is there any reason to

regard Paul's attitude as faultless. We know that Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips,

and Asaph rebuked himself saying, "This is my infirmities". David, also, said "in his

haste" that all men were liars. Paul himself, when he stood before the High Priest, had to

confess that he had spoken words not seemly to be uttered to one in such an office. We

do not attempt, therefore, to apportion the blame.

The word used to indicate Paul's decision is axioo--"Paul thought not good"

(Acts 15: 38). This is the word that gives us "worthy" in Eph. 4: 1, and suggests a

process of weighing, to ascertain the "worth". The word occurs again in Acts 28: 22,

where it is translated "desire". In this passage the rulers of the Jews say in effect, We

know that this sect is everywhere spoken against, but we feel the time has come for some

short of investigation to be made, and having weighed the matter over, we should like to

know what you think.

Throughout the N.T. record, whether in the Acts or in the epistles, we find that Paul is

kind and courteous, although he can be moved to burning point where the truth is at

stake. He weighs the matter over here, and decides that the claims of the gospel and the

success of these early ventures of faith must not be imperiled by allowing half-hearted

service to be condoned, or by allowing the slightest intrusion of favouritism in the choice

of witnesses. And so: "Paul did not deem it fitting to take with them one who withdrew

from them from Pamphylia, and went not to the work" (Acts 15: 38). So ended the

fellowship that saw the planting of the gospel of the grace of God in Cyprus and Galatia.

Paul does not re-visit Cyprus, leaving this for Barnabas and his nephew.

We now look beyond the movements of men, and see the hand of the Lord at work.

Barnabas was a Levite and would therefore have considerable influence with his own

people, but the Lord was about to call Paul and his associates to a wider field. Before this

second missionary journey was finished, Europe was to be entered. In such a sphere a

Levite would have no special influence, but a Roman citizen would be invaluable

(Acts 16: 37, 38). Possibly Silas had been present at Antioch when Peter and Barnabas

had momentarily given way to the Judaisers, and being a Spirit-guided man, and a

prophet, he may have foreseen what would happen. Paul would naturally feel the need

for loyal companionship, and Silas seemed the heaven-sent man. The names of both

Barnabas and Paul appeared in the letter sent from Jerusalem, and the absence of one of

the principals might have given a handle to the enemy, but Silas was also named and his

evidence would therefore be sufficient justification.

The Church seems to have endorsed Paul's attitude for we read: