Galatians 2:13 Commentary and Bible Study

That even Barnabas should be carried away was an especial cause of surprise and sadness to Paul. Barnabas had stood by him in all the disputes that he had had with the Judaizers. It was Barnabas who had been sent up to Jerusalem with Paul to resolve the question of the Gentiles’ relation to the law, and together they had told of what great things God had done through their work on their first missionary journey together. On that journey John Mark had turned back, but Barnabas had remained faithful. No wonder Paul says, ‘Barnabas also...’. And yet now, he was confused and did not see what was at stake; he was ready to yield to Peter and others when he ought not to yield. This shows how much Paul stood alone in defending the truth. Barnabas had received his name from the apostles because of his Christian character. The name meant ‘son of consolation’, but Barnabas was anything but this to Paul now. His failure to see the issue clearly only brought Paul further pain. Had not Christ said to Ananias that he would show Paul how great things he must suffer for his name’s sake? And this was surely one of them. This tested his conviction to the utmost.