Barnabas Character Bible Study Background and Lessons

Barnabas Character Study

Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 1 Cor 10:6

Meaning of Name: Son of Encouragement

Acts 4:36-37 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. His original name was Joseph,

The name “Barnabas” means “Son of Encouragement.” He was given this name by the apostles because of his encouragement toward other believers. Barnabas was very good at building people up. He was very good at seeing positive things in others and reinforcing that, even when others didn’t see it. Barnabas was the first one to reach out and welcome Paul, later introducing him and putting in a good word for him to the church. Later, Barnabas would also go and find Paul and bring him to minister at Antioch. This is a man who is a great mentor. He was very gifted at building people up. It seems that he always looked on the bright side and saw the strengths of people and what they could become by God’s grace.

We can learn a lot from the way Barnabas comes alongside and encourages people, helping them reach their full potential in Christ.

His Ancestry and Family Life:

Acts 4:36 – Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

He was a Levite and was born on the island of Cyprus.

When and Where He Lived:

Other than the record that he was born on Cyprus, little is known about where he lived. He was living in Jerusalem (Acts 11:22) when the issue of the Greek disciples who were preaching the gospel arose. He went to Antioch (Acts 11:22) to investigate this. From there he went to Tarsus (Acts 11:25) to seek Paul to assist him with following up and discipling the young converts at Antioch (Acts 11:26).

Training He received and His Occupation:

Apparently, he was trained by Jesus. Likely he was one of the seventy whom the Lord sent out. (Acts 11:22; 14:14) No mention is made of his occupation, though he had enough means to own a field.

Place in History:

• He and Paul were largely responsible for establishing for the church at the Jerusalem Council the liberty of believers in Christ. They overcame the intense pressure from the Jews for Gentile believers to be required to obey the Law as well as follow all the rituals of Judaism.

Special traits:

• He had the gift of encouragement. (Acts 4:36; 9:26,27; 11:23; 15:37-39)
• He was an apostle. (Acts 14:14)

Weaknesses:

• Maybe he allowed his emotions to affect his judgment about taking along John Mark (Acts 15:37-39).
• Surprisingly, he was influenced by the hypocrisy of Peter and others in not associating with Gentile believers (Gal 2:13). This is particularly surprising in light of the fact that Barnabas previously was the one who embraced and strongly encouraged the Greek believers who were preaching the gospel in Antioch (Acts 11:20-24).

Strengths:

• Generous                  Acts 4:36-37
• Courageous              Acts 9:26-27; 15:25,26
• Supportive                Acts 9:26-27
• Persuasive                Acts 9:28
• Doctrinally Sound     Acts 11:20-22
• Dependable              Acts 11:22; 12:25
• Responsible              Acts 11:22, 1 Cor 9:6
• Good                       Acts 11:24
• Godly                       Acts 11:24
• Discerning                Acts 11:24,25
• Humble                    Acts 11:30-13:7 àBS X 5; Acts 13:42-15:36àPB X 9, BP X 4
• Encourager               Acts 4:36; 9:26,27; 11:23; 15:37-39
• Diligent                     Acts 11:26, 1 Cor 9:6
• Trustworthy              Acts 11:22,30

1. Encouraging and welcoming (Acts 9:26-31) –

Barnabas welcomed Paul.

Many believers shunned Saul. Barnabas went out of his way to welcome Saul. He first listened to his story. Then he introduced Saul to the apostles and told them about Saul’s conversion.

Barnabas displayed a profound ability to forgive. He did not hold Saul’s sins against him but forgave as Jesus did. This was a man who understood God’s grace, lived in it, and extended it to others.

Many believe that Barnabas had the gift of encouragement. He played a vital role in Saul’s early ministry, welcoming him, vouching for him, and helping him gain a platform for ministry.

Barnabas was originally named “Joseph,” but his apostles gave him the name “Barnabas” because of the way he encouraged others.

Barnabas took the risk to befriend Saul when he really needed one.

Application – Go out of your comfort zone to befriend newcomers in your church or Christian circle. Consider if there is a new person or family whom you can reach out to as Barnabas did with Saul.

2. Barnabas built up the believers –

Acts 11:22-23 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

We see several good character qualities in Barnabas.

He was observant. He clearly saw the grace of God. He noted what God was doing, and he jumped on board.

He exhorted them all to remain faithful. Barnabas is an encourager. Wherever he goes, you can see him encouraging people. He didn’t come in with a critical mindset to jump on their weaknesses. Instead, he saw their strengths and encouraged them to keep it up. Oftentimes, words of encouragement are more powerful than criticisms.

Reflect – Which comes more naturally to you, encouraging or criticizing? Which helps others grow more?

He was full of the Holy Spirit. Barnabas’s relationship with God is what empowered him to be so effective in building God’s kingdom. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, how can you go about it?

3. Barnabas was a good team player –

Acts 11:25-26 – So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

This event is several years after Saul’s conversion. Saul had spent time in Arabia (Galatians 1:11-20) and Damascus. Barnabas found him in Tarsus. That was a journey of about one hundred fifty miles (240 KM) each way. It would have taken a week on foot or donkey.

Although the “fetching of Saul” is not one of the most taught events in Acts, it is a major one. It was after Barnabas took the initiative to get Saul (he had already welcomed Saul into the church before) that Saul’s mission really started to take off.

Barnabas was a good team player. He saw the huge task that needed to be completed. So he recruited Saul to help him. Barnabas wasn’t interested in hogging the spotlight. He wasn’t afraid of or jealous of other people’s giftings because it was not about him. Instead, he saw their gifts and happily partnered with them while graciously nudging them to use those gifts for God’s glory.

I once heard a story of a pastor who went on a trip. He asked a junior pastor in his church to preach while he was gone. The junior pastor’s sermon got a very strong positive response. Some asked the senior pastor to let him speak more often. But the senior pastor was jealous. He complained, “Why don’t you say anything positive when I preach?” Instead of rejoicing at how God used his junior and nurtured that gift, he refused to let him speak again because he didn’t want to share the spotlight. Barnabas never would have done this. When God’s work is being done, we should rejoice no matter who is doing it.

God did not design a “lone ranger” model of Christianity where every believer is doing his own thing. Instead, the church is compared to a body where every part, though not equal in prominence or doing the same thing, has a specific and vital function (1 Corinthians 12). We should seek opportunities to partner with and hear from other believers.

Reflect – What are some of the benefits of ministering together with other believers instead of on our own? Why did Jesus originally send out the disciples two by two?

Application – Think about others on your team (family, ministry, church, work, etc.). How can you help them nurture their gifts and abilities? How can you affirm them and help them grow?

Important Acts and Events:

Acts 4:36-37 – Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

• Barnabas strength of being an encourager was well known to the apostles.
• Barnabas was very generous.

Acts 9:26-28 – When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

• When others were afraid of Saul, thinking that he was trying to deceive them to bring them harm, Barnabas courageously took Saul under his wing and vouched for him. He took the risk to be a friend when Saul really needed one.

Acts 11:19-26 – So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

• They trusted Barnabas to correctly assess the doctrinal soundness of the teaching of these Greeks who were preaching Jesus.
• Barnabas faithfully exercised his gift of encouragement.
• As many were coming to know the Lord there at Antioch, Barnabas correctly surmised that it would be helpful to have Paul there to help follow up and disciple these new converts.

Acts 11:29-30 – And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

• Barnabas and Saul were entrusted to take the contribution to the brethren in Judea.

Acts 12:25 – And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

• They accomplished the mission they were sent on.

Acts 13:1-3 – Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

• Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were set apart by the Holy Spirit for the very first missionary journey.

Acts 14:11-18 – When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. 16 ” In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

At Lystra, Paul and Barnabas are worshiped as gods. They are greatly distressed and tear their robes at this. They relate to the crowd that they are merely men and with difficulty persuade the crowd not to worship them.

It is interesting in verse 14 that both Barnabas and Paul are referred to as apostles. Besides “The Twelve” and Paul, there are very few other apostles named.

• James, the Lord’s brother. Gal 1:19
• Timothy and Silvanus 1 Thess 1:1 with 1 Thess 2:6

Acts 14:19-28 – But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ” Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

• Jews came to Lystra and won over the crowds. Paul was stoned and left for dead. For some reason Barnabas does not seem to be present. Paul
• Barnabas and Paul continue their journey preaching the gospel and strengthening and encouraging the saints. This is a prime example of follow-up and disciplemaking.
• Further support that Paul and Barnabas were both apostles is that they appointed elders in all the churches they visited.
• Upon returning to Antioch, they give a full report about how God was using them to minister to the Gentiles

Acts 15:1-4,12 – Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

• Because of a great dissension with some Jews about requiring believing Gentiles to be circumcised and follow the Law, Barnabas and Paul travel to Jerusalem to present their case before the apostles and elders. They relate all that God was doing through them with the Gentiles.

Acts 15:21-29 – Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 and they sent this letter by them,

” The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.

24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 

28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

• The council in Jerusalem concludes that Gentiles should not be burdened with keeping the Law.
• They send a letter by Barnabas and Paul to communicate this to the believers at Antioch.
• This produces great rejoicing in the church there.
• The letter commends Barnabas and Paul for risking their life to serve the Lord Jesus.

Acts 15:35 – But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.

• Barnabas and Paul remain in Antioch preaching and teaching the Word of the Lord.

Acts 15:36-41 – After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

For the second missionary journey, Barnabas and Paul had a sharp disagreement over whether they should take John Mark with them. As a result, they parted ways. Barnabas took John Mark and Paul took Silas. Clearly, at least one of them was wrong in this disagreement. I think that Paul was in the right and Barnabas erred in this dissension. Here are some reasons.

• Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:1; Col 1:1; Tit1:1) and Barnabas should have deferred to him.
• When Paul chose Silas, they were “committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.” No such statement is made of Barnabas and Mark.
• Barnabas is never mentioned again in the book of Acts and is only briefly mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Paul, of course, is mentioned extensively and wrote much of the New Testament.

1 Corinthians 9:6 – Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?

Barnabas is cited as an example of a missionary working in a secular position to support himself.

Galatians 2:1,2,9,10 – Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas , taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor —  the very thing I also was eager to do.

• Though not perfectly clear, this seems to be the same incident with the Jerusalem Council that is related in Acts 15:1-35.

Galatians 2:11-13 – But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.

• The comment “that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” conveys how highly Paul thought of Barnabas.

1 Corinthians 9:3-6 – My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?

• This is the only certain mention of Barnabas following his split with Paul, but it is clear from Paul’s statement here that at this point in Paul’s ministry, he had a very high opinion of Barnabas. This is a strong indication that they reconciled though the actual reconciliation is not recorded.

How He Died:

Barnabas’ death is not recorded in the New Testament.

Lessons from His Life:

1. Godly people sometimes disagree –

Paul and Barnabas were faithful and godly. They had ministered closely together for many years. As travel companions, they had faced many hardships. They had often risked their lives for the Lord.

But they disagreed about welcoming Mark back. Their unique personalities and backgrounds caused them to see this situation differently. It was a gray area where they could find no black-and-white answer from the Bible. There is no record of the Holy Spirit revealing what to do to either of them. That doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit was silent. It could be that one of them was not listening, or it could be that both were doing what God wanted them to (see D below).

Scripture does not always tell us exactly what to do in every situation. There are principles that can guide us, but sometimes even these principles can appear to point us in different directions.

Application – If even Barnabas and Paul disagreed, we should expect that disagreement may come into our Christian team as well. When it does, don’t be shocked. God created each of us differently, and we have different experiences, backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives. When those disagreements come, let’s humble ourselves and deal with it graciously and biblically.

2. Godly people sometimes fail – 

It is not stated that either Paul or Barnabas was in sin. Scripture tells us that there was a strong disagreement. It does not tell us who was right or even if they both were. Yet it is possible that pride was involved. It is also possible that one or both of these revered missionaries had fault. If so, we should not be surprised.

Paul and Barnabas, as faithful as they were, were not perfect. They were flesh and blood like you and me. Throughout Scripture, we see that even godly believers stumble and make mistakes. Their stories are actually an encouragement to us. They are a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient. God does not cast us aside the moment we fall short. Neither does He say, “I will only use a perfect instrument.” God graciously uses us as His tools even with our weaknesses. As He uses us, He grows and refines us. 

Barnabas definitely fell short when he stopped eating with Gentiles and was influenced by the Judaizers. We all fail. The shortcomings of believers highlight God’s grace.

3. Not all failures are failures –

Was Paul right or was Barnabas right?

Scripture does not directly tell us. We do know that Paul and Mark eventually reconciled (Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11). This tells us that Mark was not a lost cause. Evidently, he grew. He grew so much that Paul would later say that Mark was “very useful to me” (2 Timothy 4:11). From this, it would appear that Barnabas accurately discerned something useful in Mark and was right not to give up on him. However, we can step back to consider why each of them may have come to the conclusion that they did.

We can learn a lot from the way Barnabas comes alongside and encourages people, helping them reach their full potential in Christ.

Paul was an apostle. He had been through many hardships doing frontier evangelism. Paul pioneered the concept of mission teams. He knew how important it was to have dedicated, loyal, and faithful team members who could be counted on in the face of extreme hardships and persecution. Paul wanted to ensure that the team he took was strong and able to keep going in the face of difficulties.

It wasn’t like doing ministry today where if one team member doesn’t work out, they can just take a flight back home. There were months of travel by foot and by boat. If a team member quit in the middle, it would be dangerous for him and the team. Finding a replacement would be difficult. Wanting to take someone that could be relied upon through thick and thin, Paul refused to try Mark again, since Mark had already failed once. As team leader, he was responsible for the actions of his team.

We can learn from Paul the importance of faithfulness, loyalty, and assembling strong teams. He also demonstrates how important it is to take the responsibility of being a team leader seriously.

Reflect – What decision would you have made and why?

God had a purpose in this.

God is sovereign. Throughout Acts, we see that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating everything to build the church. He was also using this split between Barnabas and Paul.

Here are some of the positive results we see:

– Two mission teams went out instead of one. Thus, there was multiplication and the gospel went out to more places. They covered more ground.
– Under Barnabas’ mentorship, Mark grew and matured. Later he was accepted back as a “very useful” team member. Not to mention, he wrote the Gospel of Mark!
– Paul selected Silas to go with him. Silas proved to be an excellent companion. His mission trip was ultimately very successful.

There are many other results that we don’t see. God doesn’t always tell us His purposes, but He is always working.

Other lessons from his life:

• Do not allow fear to ever prevent you from taking a stand for what is right.
• By demonstrating confidence in people, you can often bring out the best in them.
• Even if you have a great strength in your life, you must always temper it by exercising it in accordance with the spiritual truths revealed in Scripture.
• If you are sure you are in the Lord’s will, never allow pressure from peers or superiors to alter your course.
• More will be accomplished if you humbly step aside and allow someone more gifted than yourself to take the lead.
• Don’t insist that things be done the way they have always been done. Often a new approach is superior.
• Often, the rewards that come from stepping out and taking a courageous risk exceed our wildest expectations.
• Maintaining the status quo is often the greatest risk of all!
• Following up and discipling young converts is so important that you might need to get assistance to make sure it takes place.

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