15:36-41 How great was the contention between Paul and Barnabas here?
15:36-41 How great was the contention between Paul and Barnabas here?
Some Bible commentators argue that the "sharp contention" between Paul and Barnabas here did not necessarily imply anger or ill-will toward each other; that they simply agreed to disagree and go their separate ways.
Others claim that there was a violent confrontation between them, while still others suggest that Paul was in error because he changed his mind later and arranged for Timothy to bring John Mark to Rome with him to help Paul in the ministry (CP 2Ti 4:11).
It is clear from a study of the Greek construction of Ac 15:36-41 that there was a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over john Mark's defection during their first apostolic mission, and their parting was certainly not amicable.
But more important is the fact that they all became reconciled again (CP 1Cor 9:6; Col 4:10; Phm 24). The fact that they all became reconciled again proves that there was no bitterness between them. Christians can fall out with each other in some instances as is quite obvious from the record of this incident, but they must never harbour a grudge toward each other or allow bitterness to come between them.
They must always be willing to be reconciled with each other (CP Eph 4:26, 31-32). See also comments on Jn 13:34-35; Ro 13:8; 1Cor 12:31; Ga 5:1-8, 5:13; 1Th 3:12; 1Jn 2:7, 3:15, 3:16-18, 3:19-22, 4:7-21; Rev 3:7-13 and author's study How Christians are to Love One Another in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith. Ac 15:36-41 signified the commencement of Paul's second apostolic mission which was completed in Ac 18:22
(see comments on Ac 18:22 and author's study Paul the Apostle - a Chosen Vessel unto God in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2)).