Daily EncouragementSample

This was the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark, which resulted in their parting company. The facts are well known. Paul felt that Mark’s desertion in Pamphylia made it unwise to take him again. Barnabas was all for giving him a second chance. Howard Marshall wisely comments, “It is a classic example of the perpetual problem of whether to place the interests of the individual or of the work as a whole first, and there is no rule of thumb for dealing with it.” There is much to be said for Paul’s view. Christian work is not a holiday adventure. It is a warfare calling for soldiers who will endure, and those who go back deserve to be labelled as deserters. Any haste in re-enlisting such people is clearly unwise. There is much, too, in favour of Barnabas’ attitude. Mark needed to face up to the high standard which Paul’s view reflected, but he also needed the hope of a second chance which Barnabas’ outlook provided. In the end the combination of these attitudes proved successful: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me.” (2 Tim. 4:11). It is regrettable that Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp disagreement,” but it does at least show that they were like us - and there is some comfort in that.