Barnabas: A Son of Encouragement
Introduction. The book of Acts was written by Luke to give a brief historical account of how “God’s eternal purpose” (Eph. 3:8-11) was completed. The main characters in the first few chapters are the apostles. The Holy Spirit used them to fulfill Jesus promise to “build His church” (Mt. 16:16-18). Barnabas is the first disciple mentioned in this account. The events that led Luke to include him are clearly important:
The purpose of this article is to explore why the apostles changed his name. The name given to him by his parents was Joseph, but the apostles, so impressed with his ability, gave him another name to express it. They called him "Barnabas" because he was a “son of exhortation.”
“Son of ...". “Son(s) of...”, “offspring of...”, “children of...”, or “brood of” are idioms in Scripture. They were used to describe a characteristic so strong, it permeated the person's being. When Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, He used this idiom. “You serpents, you offspring (brood) of vipers, how shall you escape the judgment of hell?” (Mt. 23:33). They were “offspring of” or “a brood of” vipers because they were so strongly acting like serpents; it was as though they were born serpents. Since children are born “after their kind,” their “offspring” or “sons” will be exactly like them. Thus Jesus gave James and John the name “sons of thunder” (Mk. 3:17), because they exhibited the booming characteristics of thunder. It is also used of the “son of perdition,” “children of wrath,” or “children of light,” (2Th. 2:3; Eph. 2:3; 5:8).
"… Exhortation". When the apostles called Joseph a “son of” exhortation, they were paying him a high compliment. He acted as though both his mother and father were “exhortation” and he was powerfully exhibiting it. “Exhortation” is also translated “consolation", "comfort", and "encouragement.” Hence, Barnabas was the heart and soul of them. He had given himself to them so fully that the apostles named him Barnabas to express it. Luke later gave an example of his efforts: “and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: (Acts 11:22-23).
Exhortation is a wonderful gift we should all be offering: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: ... 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation” (Rom. 12:6,8). Churches need brethren who care deeply enough for one another that they seek to encourage and comfort one another.
A Son of Exhortation. Barnabas was a “son of exhortation.” He used every means available to him to build people up. He complimented them, he comforted them, and he motivated them with enthusiasm. His whole life was given to talking with brethren about doing better. When in Antioch, he exhorted them all to cleave to the Lord. Later with Paul he exhorted again. “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
While some brethren use their time to discuss weather, news, politics, or hobbies, “sons of exhortation” are talking about cleaving to the Lord or staying faithful in tribulations. They seek to understand the difficulties each disciple encounters and encourage them to remain faithful and strong. They encourage and motivate the weak. They console and comfort the grieving, or those who have repented of their sins. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1Th. 5:14-15).
Conclusion. Every church needs brethren who want to be like Barnabas. A son of exhortation who is kind, patient, loving and wanting to help others. Always using words and deeds to build up and strengthen the souls of others. Are you a Barnabas?
- And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
The purpose of this article is to explore why the apostles changed his name. The name given to him by his parents was Joseph, but the apostles, so impressed with his ability, gave him another name to express it. They called him "Barnabas" because he was a “son of exhortation.”
“Son of ...". “Son(s) of...”, “offspring of...”, “children of...”, or “brood of” are idioms in Scripture. They were used to describe a characteristic so strong, it permeated the person's being. When Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, He used this idiom. “You serpents, you offspring (brood) of vipers, how shall you escape the judgment of hell?” (Mt. 23:33). They were “offspring of” or “a brood of” vipers because they were so strongly acting like serpents; it was as though they were born serpents. Since children are born “after their kind,” their “offspring” or “sons” will be exactly like them. Thus Jesus gave James and John the name “sons of thunder” (Mk. 3:17), because they exhibited the booming characteristics of thunder. It is also used of the “son of perdition,” “children of wrath,” or “children of light,” (2Th. 2:3; Eph. 2:3; 5:8).
"… Exhortation". When the apostles called Joseph a “son of” exhortation, they were paying him a high compliment. He acted as though both his mother and father were “exhortation” and he was powerfully exhibiting it. “Exhortation” is also translated “consolation", "comfort", and "encouragement.” Hence, Barnabas was the heart and soul of them. He had given himself to them so fully that the apostles named him Barnabas to express it. Luke later gave an example of his efforts: “and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: (Acts 11:22-23).
Exhortation is a wonderful gift we should all be offering: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: ... 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation” (Rom. 12:6,8). Churches need brethren who care deeply enough for one another that they seek to encourage and comfort one another.
A Son of Exhortation. Barnabas was a “son of exhortation.” He used every means available to him to build people up. He complimented them, he comforted them, and he motivated them with enthusiasm. His whole life was given to talking with brethren about doing better. When in Antioch, he exhorted them all to cleave to the Lord. Later with Paul he exhorted again. “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
While some brethren use their time to discuss weather, news, politics, or hobbies, “sons of exhortation” are talking about cleaving to the Lord or staying faithful in tribulations. They seek to understand the difficulties each disciple encounters and encourage them to remain faithful and strong. They encourage and motivate the weak. They console and comfort the grieving, or those who have repented of their sins. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1Th. 5:14-15).
Conclusion. Every church needs brethren who want to be like Barnabas. A son of exhortation who is kind, patient, loving and wanting to help others. Always using words and deeds to build up and strengthen the souls of others. Are you a Barnabas?