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BARNABAS.—A surname given by the Apostles to Joseph, the Levite, whose first recorded deed (Act_4:36) was the selling of his property and the devotion of its proceeds to the needs of the Christian community. In this generous act St. Luke sees a proof that Barnabas is, in accordance with the popular etymology of his name, ‘a son of comfort.’ His kindly introduction of Saul to the Christians at Jerusalem disarmed their fears (Act_9:27); his broad sympathies made him quick to recognize the work of grace amongst the Greeks at Antioch (Act_11:23), and to discern the fitness of his gifted friend for that important sphere of service (Act_11:25 f.). After a year’s fellowship in work at Antioch, Barnabas and Saul were appointed to convey ‘the relief’ sent thence to the brethren in Judæa (Act_11:30). From Jerusalem they brought back, as a helper, John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Act_12:12; Act_12:25; cf. Col_4:10).
The church at Antioch solemnly dedicated Barnabas and Saul to missionary service (Act_13:1 f.); with John Mark the two friends sailed for Cyprus, and from this point, with three exceptions, their names occur in the order ‘Paul and Barnabas.’
Harnack (PRE [Note: RE Real-Encykl. für protest. Theol. und Kirche] 3 ii. 411) explains these three passages thus: Act_14:14 is accounted for by Act_14:12; Act_15:12; Act_15:25 by the closer association of Barnabas with the Jerusalem church.
At Lystra (Act_14:12), as doubtless at other places, Paul was the chief speaker; he was also the more prominent figure at the Jerusalem conference (Act_15:2 ff., Gal_2:1. See Paul). Between Paul and Barnabas ‘there arose a sharp contention’ concerning John Mark (Act_15:35 ff), and they agreed to work apart; Gal_2:13 also records Paul’s adverse judgment of Barnabas’ attitude in regard to the circumcision controversy. But the interesting reference to Barnabas in 1Co_9:5 affords welcome proof of St. Paul’s familiarity with the work of his friend. All that is definitely known of Barnabas after he bade Paul farewell is that with his cousin Mark he ‘sailed away unto Cyprus’ (Act_15:39). For the spurious Epistle attributed to Barnabas, see Canon of NT, § 2.
J. G. Tasker.