Acts 15:39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 15:36-41

We have seen one unhappy difference among the brethren, which was of a public nature, brought to a good issue; but here we have a private quarrel between two ministers, no less men than Paul and Barnabas, not compromised indeed, yet ending well. I. Here is a good proposal Paul made to Barnabas to go and review their work among the Gentiles and renew it, to take a circuit among the churches they had planted, and see what progress the gospel made among them. Antioch was now a safe and quiet... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 15:36-41

15:36-41 Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, "Come now, let us go back and visit the brethren in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, so that we may see how things are going with them." Barnabas wished to take John who was called Mark along with them; but Paul did not think it right to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. There was so sharp a difference of opinion that they were separated from each other and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:39

And the contention was so sharp between them ,.... About this matter; Barnabas insisting on it, that John Mark should go with them, he being a relation of his; and in whose favour it might be urged, that his mother Mary was an excellent good woman, who had received the saints into her house, in a time of persecution; and that it should be considered, that this her son was but a young man, and could not be thought to have that courage, resolution, constancy, and solidity, as older professors... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:39

The contention was so sharp between them - For all this sentence, there is only in the Greek text εγενετο ουν παροξυσμος ; there was therefore a paroxysm, an incitement, a stirring up, from παροξυνω , compounded of παρα , intensive, and οξυνω , to whet, or sharpen: there was a sharp contention. But does this imply anger or ill-will on either side? Certainly not. Here, these two apostles differed, and were strenuous, each in support of the part he had adopted. "Paul," as an ancient... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:36-41

The paroxysm. The proposal of two friends whose fast friendship was of many years' standing; of two brethren loving and beloved; of two apostles of Jesus Christ, who had long labored together to win souls to Christ and to advance the kingdom of God, and who had achieved together the most signal triumphs over the powers of darkness, who had suffered together, who had undergone the most appalling dangers together, who had stuck by one another under every circumstance of trial and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:36-41

Apostles at fault. When a grave and critical juncture had been safely passed without damage done to any, there arose a quarrel about an unimportant and insignificant matter, which had regrettable, not to say deplorable, results. The heart of the earnest and affectionate Paul yearned to know how their converts fared in "every city where they had preached the Word of the Lord" ( Acts 15:36 ). Barnabas immediately acquiesced in Paul's proposal to visit them; everything promised another... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:36-41

Beginning of the second missionary journey. The dissension of Paul and Barnabas, painful in itself, may yield useful matter of reflection. HUMAN INFIRMITY IS MATURE CHRISTIANS . 1. The fact of it. Paul judged severely of Mark on moral grounds. His desertion of him and Barnabas ( Acts 13:13 ) on a former occasion was to his mind a strong proof of inconstancy. But Mark had fallen away from them, not from Christ. And Barnabas would lean to the side of leniency and clemency... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:36-41

Contention amongst brethren. Importance of the record as showing: 1. The sincerity and simplicity of the Christian writers. An impostor would never have inserted such a fact. 2. The overruling grace of God. The treasure in earthen vessels. Infirmities in the agents magnifies him who, notwithstanding, accomplishes his proposes. Notice— I. THE TRUE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN WORK . Constant watchfulness and inspection. "See how they fare;" for encouragement and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:37-39

Symptoms more starting. There is a sense in which human nature and Christian principle are opposed to each other. When in conflict they are indeed two rare antagonists. It is astonishing at how many angles the former can be touched by the latter, and how deeply and incisively this cuts into that. The great dissension in the matter of circumcision and the new Gentile converts filled larger space under the eye; but how often has it faded away from the mental gaze of even the most devout... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:37-39

Contentions and separations. It is sometimes a weakness of dealing with Scripture characters that "inspiration" is not distinguished from "perfection." The place of human infirmity in divinely endowed men is not sufficiently recognized. And yet, for the correction of this very tendency, the frailty of good men is always indicated in the Scripture histories. Of only one man—the Man Christ Jesus—can it be said, "In him was no sin." So when it is manifest that good men have fallen into error... read more

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