make use of it to excuse our own intemperate heats and passions, or to rebate the edge of our sorrow and shame for them; we must not say, "What if I was in a passion, were not Paul and Barnabas so? No; but it must check our censures of others, and moderate them. If good men are soon put into a passion, we must make the best of it; it was the infirmity once of two of the best men that ever the world had! Repentance teaches us to be severe in reflections upon ourselves; but charity teaches us to be candid in our reflections upon others. It is only Christ's example that is a copy without a blot.
2. That we are not to think it strange, if there be differences among wise and good men; we were told before that such offences will come, and here is an instance of it. Even they that are united to one and the same Jesus, and sanctified by one and the same Spirit, have different apprehensions, different opinions, different views, and different sentiments in point of prudence. It will be so while we are in this state of darkness and imperfection; we shall never be all of a mind till we come to heaven, where light and love are perfect. That is charity, which never fails.
3. That these differences often prevail so far as to occasion separations. Paul and Barnabas, that were not separated by the persecutions of the unbelieving Jews, nor the impositions of the believing Jews, were yet separated by an unhappy disagreement between themselves. O the mischief that even the poor and weak remainders of pride and passion, that are found even in good men, do in the world, do in the church! No wonder the consequences are so fatal where they reign!
IV. The good that was brought out of this evil. Meat out of the eater, and sweetness out of the strong. It was strange that even the sufferings of the apostles, (as Phil. 1. 12.) but much more strange that even the quarrels of the apostles, should tend to the furtherance of the gospel of Christ; yet so it proved here. God would not permit such things to be, if he knew not how to make them serve his own purposes.
1. More places are hereby visited. Barnabas went one way; he sailed to Cyprus, (v. 39.) that famous island where they began their work, (ch. 13. 4.) and which was his own country, ch. 4. 36. Paul went another way into Cilicia, which was his own country, ch. 21. 39. Each seem to be influenced by their affection to their native soil, as usual; (Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine cunctos ducit.—There is something that attaches us all to our native soil;) and yet God served his own purposes by it, for the diffusing of gospel-light.
2. More hands are hereby employed in the ministry of the gospel among the Gentiles; for, (l.) John Mark, who had been an unfaithful hand, is not rejected, but is again made use of, against Paul's mind, and, for aught we know, proves a very useful and successful hand; though many think it was not the same with that Mark that wrote the gospel, and founded the church at Alexandria, he whom Peter calls his son, 1 Pet. 5. 13. (2.) Silas who was a new hand, and never yet employed in that work, nor designed to be, but to return to the service of the church at Jerusalem, had not God changed his mind; (v. 33, 34.) he is brought in, and engaged in that noble work.
We may further observe,
[1.] That the church at Antioch seemed to countenance Paul in what he did. Barnabas sailed with his nephew to Cyprus, and no notice was taken of him, nor a bene discessit—a recommendation given him. Note, Those that in their service cf the church are swayed by private affections and regards, forfeit public honours and respect. But when Paul departed, he was recommended by the brethren to the grace of God. They thought he was in the right in refusing to make use of John Mark, and could not but blame Barnabas for insisting upon it, though he was one who had deserved well of the church, (ch. 11. 22.) before they knew Paul. And therefore they prayed publicly for Paul, and for the success of his ministry, encouraged him to go on in his work, and though they could do nothing themselves to further him, they transferred the matter to the grace of God, leaving it to that grace, both to work upon him, and to work with him. Note, Those are happy at all times, and especially in times of disagreement and contention, who are enabled so to carry themselves as not to forfeit their interest in the love and prayers of good people.
[2.] That yet Paul afterward seemed to have had, though not upon second thoughts, yet, upon further trial, a better opinion of John Mark than now he had; for he writes to Timothy, (2 Tim. 4. 11.) Take Mark and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry; and he writes to the Colossians concerning Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, that if he came to them they should receive him, bid him welcome, and employ him, Col. 4. 10. Which teaches us, First, That even those whom we justly condemn, we should condemn moderately, and with a great deal of temper, because we know not but afterward we may see cause to think better of them, and both to make use of them and make friendship with them, and we should so regulate our resentments, that if it should prove so, we may not afterward be ashamed of them. Secondly, That even those whom we have justly condemned, if afterward they prove more faithful, we should cheerfully receive, forgive and forget, and put a confidence in, and, as there is occasion, give a good word to.
[3.] That Paul, though he wanted his old friend and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, yet went on cheerfully in his work; (v. 41.) He went through Syria and Cilicia, countries which lay next to Antioch, confirming the churches. Though we change our colleagues, we do not change our principal President. And observe, Ministers are well employed, and ought to think themselves so, and be satisfied, when they are made use of in confirming those that believe, as well as in converting those that believe not.
CHAP. XVI.
It is some rebuke to Barnabas, that after he left Paul we hear no more of him, of what he did or suffered for Christ. But Paul, as he was recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, so his services for Christ after this are largely recorded; we are to attend him in this chapter from place to place, wherever he came, doing good, either watering or planting, beginning new work, or improving what was done. Here is, I. The beginning of his acquaintance with Timothy, and taking him to be his assistant, v. 1..3. II. The visit he made to the churches for their establishment, v. 4, 5. III. His call to Macedonia, (after a restraint he had been under from going to some other places,) and his coming to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, with his entertainment there, v. 6..13. IV. The conversion of Lydia there, v. 14, 15. V. The casting of an evil spirit out of a damsel, v. 16..18. VI. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them, v. 19..24. VII. The miraculous conversion of the jailer to the faith of Christ, v. 25..34. VIII. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates, v. 35..40.
1.THEN came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2. Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
