An Unedifying Episode
AN UNEDIFYING EPISODE
ACTS 15:36-41
God can repair relationships and give us a second chance if we let him.
Six verses which offer a fascinating study in early church personalities! Paul and Barnabas both agreed that it was opportune to re-visit the churches of Galatia (15:36); but that was as far as the entente went. Both men had different opinions of John Mark, who had accompanied them on the earlier journey, but had retired somewhat unceremoniously (13:13) at what proved to be only the outset of the tour. The result was a distressing situation—Luke calls it by a strong name, an altercation (Greek, paroxysmos, 15:39) which could only be settled by the two men going their several ways.
Who was right? Probably both men were right—up to a point. Paul, no mean judge of men, saw that Mark’s character at that time was not suited to the strains and stresses of another missionary journey (considering the importance of this venture in the light of the council’s ruling and the need to press onwards resolutely into the heart of the Greco-Roman world with the gospel). Barnabas, on the other hand, was prepared to overlook one lapse in the hope of a stronger character yet to emerge, and perhaps the axiom “blood’s thicker than water” controlled his decision to give his relative a second chance.
At all events, two happier notes are struck in the later story. First, by a division of labor, two missionary parties set out and so more territory was evangelized. Secondly, “all’s well that ends well,” and the final chapter in Mark’s story is that of a recovery. “Failure is not final” (E.M. Blaiklock)—see 2 Timothy 4:11, with its glowing tribute to Mark’s usefulness at the last; 1 Peter 5:13 for Peter’s special interest; and, of course, the Gospel of Mark –
The saint who first found grace to pen
The Life which was the light of men.
Notes 15:37-38: the commentators draw attention to a subtle change in the tenses here. Barnabas wanted to decide to take (aorist, implying a single action), but Paul foresaw the risk of having to take Mark as a continual partner (present tense)—and liable at any moment to desert them. 15:40: Silas was admirably qualified as a Jerusalem Christian and a Roman citizen (16:7ff.).
To think over “An unedifying episode.” Yes, but are there no redeeming features?