Acts 15:36-41 - Homilies By E. Johnson

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 towards the young disciple. The contention became sharp. Both thought themselves to be contending for Christ; both were unconsciously contending for self. Both were in the right, each from his own point of view aiming at the good of the young man and the furtherance of the kingdom.

2. The consolation of it.