Barnabas – The Son of Encouragement
A Quiet but Powerful Man in the Book of Acts
Most of us, as we read through the book of Acts, tend to pass right over Barnabas. We don’t give him much thought.
But I believe he was one of the most important and influential men in the early church.
He never wrote a book of the Bible. He was never the central figure like the Apostle Paul. Yet without Barnabas, the story of Paul and the spread of the Gospel would have been very different.
The apostles gave this man a special name: Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.”
The Greek Gem
The name Barnabas comes from the Greek word Paraklesis (παράκλησις).
- Para means “alongside”
- Kaleo means “to call”
So Paraklesis means one who comes alongside to strengthen, comfort, exhort, and put courage into another person.
This is the same word family used for the Holy Spirit, He is called the Parakletos, the Comforter and Helper. Barnabas was a man who walked in that same encouraging spirit.
Five Ways Barnabas Encouraged Others
- He used his resources generously for others
Barnabas owned a piece of land. He sold it and brought the entire amount and laid it at the apostles’ feet to help the needy believers.
“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:36-37 (NKJV)
- He used his influence to take risks on people others rejected
When Saul of Tarsus first came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him. But Barnabas took him by the hand and brought him to the apostles.
“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles…”Acts 9:27 (NKJV)
- He celebrated the work of God in others – even when it looked different
When the Gospel began to reach the Gentiles in Antioch in a fresh new way, some were unsure about it. But Barnabas came, saw the grace of God at work, and rejoiced. He encouraged the people to stay close to the Lord with all their hearts.
“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” Acts 11:23 (NKJV)
- He created space for other people’s God-given destiny
Barnabas went all the way to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch so Saul could be part of what God was doing there. He made room for Saul to grow and minister.
“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.” Acts 11:25 (NKJV)
- He gave people second chances
When John Mark failed on the missionary journey and left the work, Paul didn’t want to take him again. But Barnabas believed in giving him another chance. He took Mark with him to Cyprus.
“Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.” Acts 15:39 (NKJV)
Because Barnabas gave Mark that second chance, John Mark later wrote the Gospel of Mark, one of the four precious Gospels we have today.
Personal Application
Folks, Barnabas shows us that you don’t have to be the most gifted or well-known person to be greatly used by the Lord. Even if you are in a church situation where you sometimes feel friction or weariness, you can still be a son or daughter of encouragement right where God has placed you.
You can use what you have, your time, your kind words, your resources, stand up for those others have rejected, rejoice in what the Holy Spirit is doing (even when it looks different), make room for others to grow, and be willing to give people second chances, just as Jesus has done for us.
In this discouraged world, and even in our own churches, the Lord is still looking for Barnabases, men and women who will lift up the weary and point them back to Jesus Christ.
