Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 15:39

δὲ for οὖν after ἐγένετο with אABD. Vulg. ‘autem.’

39. ἐγένετο δὲ παροξυσμὸς κ.τ.λ., and there arose a sharp contention, so that, &c. παροξυσμός (from which comes our English paroxysm) intimates a temporary rather than a prolonged dispute, although it may for the time be severe. The result to the Church was that two missionary journeys were undertaken instead of one. Though the Apostles might differ in their estimate of Mark, they were at one with reference to the work of the Gospel. Barnabas is mentioned no more in the Acts after this chapter. His name occurs in St Paul’s Epistles, 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1; Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:13; and Colossians 4:10, in which last passage, written no doubt after the events here related, we can see that Mark had been again received as a fellow-worker by St Paul. We learn too from 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 1:24 that St Paul became warmly attached to him afterwards.

παροξυσμός is twice used in the LXX. (Deuteronomy 29:28; Jeremiah 32:37) of the righteous anger of God against His offending people.

Chrysostom remarks on this contention: τὸ ζητούμενον, οὐχ ὅτι διηνέχθησαν ἐν ταῖς γνώμαις, ἀλλ' ὅτι συγκατέβησαν�. οὕτω μεῖζον�, καὶ πρόφασιν ἐκ τούτου τὸ πρᾶγμα ἔλαβε. τί οὖν; ἐχθροὶ�; μὴ γένοιτο. ὁρᾷς γὰρ μετὰ τοῦτο Βαρνάβαν πολλῶν ἐγκωμίων�. παροξυσμός, φησίν, ἐγένετο, οὐκ ἔχθρα οὐδὲ φιλονεκία.

ἐκπλεῦσαι εἰς Κύπρον, sailed unto Cyprus, in which island Barnabas, and it may be Mark also, was born (Acts 4:36). They chose therefore for their labours a district in which they were likely to have some influence.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 15:39

Old Testament

New Testament