Note 4 at Ac 15:39: There is no doubt that Barnabas and Paul had a strong disagreement here. However, the Scripture does not say that strife or hatred was involved. On the contrary, Jas 3:16 states, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." If these apostles had parted because of strife, Satan would have destroyed them and their work.

There is no reason to believe that this was anything more than a difference of opinion or a difference of what each felt the Lord was leading him to do, and they resolved it peacefully by going their own ways. We do not have to always agree in order to walk in unity with our brothers.

Sometimes the Lord will change the hearts or visions of friends for the purpose of leading them in different directions. As much as we might like to, we cannot build three tabernacles and just sit around enjoying fellowship with those we love (Mt 17:4, Mr 9:5, and Lu 9:33). The Lord wants us on the front lines fighting the war. In this case, this separation worked out for the best by actually doubling the missionary force.

Note 5 at Ac 15:39: This is the last mention of Barnabas in Acts. That does not prove, however, that he was the one who was wrong in this dispute. Many of the apostles' exploits were never recorded in the book of Acts, yet no one believes that it was because they were in error.

Whether right or wrong, Barnabas' faith and patience with John Mark paid off. No doubt with the help of Barnabas, Mark went on to prove himself faithful, so years later, the Apostle Paul himself sent for Mark, saying, "He is profitable to me for the ministry" (2Ti 4:11). This is also the Mark that the Lord inspired to write the Gospel of Mark (see Life for Today Study Bible Notes, Introduction to Mark, About the Author), and that has changed the lives of untold numbers of people.