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Portrait of BarnabasPortrait · Barnabas

Early Church · New Testament

Barnabas

Encourager and Missionary Companion

Name meaning
Son of encouragement
Name origin
Aramaic: bar-nabha, “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36)

Quick facts

Occupation
  • Levite
  • Missionary
  • Church encourager
Birthplace
Cyprus
Modern-day location
The island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Family
  • Levite
  • Cousin of John Mark (Colossians 4:10)
First mention
Acts 4:36-37
Last mention
Acts 15:39; 1 Corinthians 9:6
Key artifacts
  • Field proceeds shared with church
  • Missionary staff
  • Scrolls

Key verses

  • “Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,)”

    Acts 4:36

  • “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles.”

    Acts 9:27

  • “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.”

    Acts 11:24

Biography

Early Life

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus, originally named Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas because of his encouragement.

Defining Biblical Moments

He sold a field to support the church, vouched for newly converted Saul, and partnered with Paul in mission. After a disagreement about Mark, Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus.

Strengths

Barnabas is generous, encouraging, and willing to recognize growth in others.

Weaknesses & Lessons

His sharp disagreement with Paul shows that even devoted coworkers can differ; separating for a time need not erase the value of service.

Life Lessons for Today

His sharp disagreement with Paul shows that even devoted coworkers can differ; separating for a time need not erase the value of service.

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Barnabas appears in The Life of Jesus & The Early Church, alongside more profiles like this one.

Page #37 in The Life of Jesus & The Early Church

The Life of Jesus & The Early Church front cover

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