Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 34

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts XV. 35

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Observe again their humility, how they let others also take part in the preaching. And some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good ( ἡ ξίου see note 3, p. 213) to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention (or exasperation) was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other. [[Acts 15.36]]-39 And already indeed Luke has described to us the character of the Apostles, that the one was more tender and indulgent, but this one more strict and austere. For the gifts are diverse — (the gifts, I say), for that this is a gift is manifest — but the one befitting one, the other another set of characters, and if they change places, harm results instead of good. ( b ) In the Prophets too we find this: diverse minds, diverse characters: for instance, Elias austere, Moses meek. So here Paul is more vehement. And observe for all this, how gentle he is. Thought not good, it says, to take him with them that had departed from them from Pamphylia. ( a ) And there seems indeed to be exasperation ( παροξυσμός ), but in fact the whole matter is a plan of the Divine Providence, that each should receive his proper place: and it behooved that they should not be upon a par, but the one should lead, and the other be led. And so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches. [[Acts 15.39]]-41 And this also is a work of Providence. For the Cyprians had exhibited nothing of the like sort as they at Antioch and the rest: and those needed the softer character, but these needed such a character as Paul's. Which then, say you, did well? He that took, or he that left? * ( c ) For just as a general would not choose to have a low person always to his baggage-bearer, so neither did the Apostle. This corrected the other's, and instructed (Mark) himself. Then did Barnabas ill? say you. And how is it not amiss ( ἄ τοπον ), that upon so small a matter there should arise so great an evil? In the first place then, no evil did come of it, if, sufficing each for whole nations, they were divided the one from the other, but a great good. And besides, they would not readily have chosen to leave each other. But admire, I pray you, the writer, how he does not conceal this either. But at any rate, say you, if they must needs part, let it be without exasperation. Nay, but if nothing more, observe this, that in this too is shown what was of man (in the preaching of the Gospel ). For if the like behooved to be shown (even) in