¹³Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Until now, the ministry duo was termed “Barnabas and Saul,” but now Luke uses Saul’s Roman name, “Paul,” and begins to list it first. In this case, Barnabas is not even mentioned, but rather is relegated to Paul’s “companions.” This should not be taken as diminishing the significance of the man whose name meant “son of encouragement.” But clearly the story from here on is about Paul and his ministry for the Lord. Barnabas’ supporting role to the apostle Paul comes to an end; in fact, he fades out of the picture altogether after chapter 15, before the start of Paul’s second mission tour.

While we place the great “heroes” of the faith on pedestals, we sometimes consider the “lesser” players as somehow inferior in their essence. The Bible is full of less significant people. Jonathan, for example, was second to King David in prominence, but should be awarded “best supporting role” honors. Nathan, the prophet, gains our attention for his role in rebuking David, and we know little else about him. The apostle Paul’s life and ministry was dotted with “secondary” players like Timothy, Titus, Silas, Trophimus, and many others named in the book of Acts and Paul’s letters. Barnabas held the distinct honor of being the second of Paul’s earliest influences (Ananias being the first, the one who was sent to Paul immediately after his conversion with a message from God about his ministry assignment for the rest of his life in Acts 9). Barnabas was Paul’s defender, mentor, and discipler. What an honor.

Proud minds spend time in wondering how Barnabas felt about the changing role of prominence. Was he jealous, resentful? Did he feel sidelined? Did this play into the ultimate split in their partnership (Acts 15:36–41)? The writer of Acts, Luke, does not intimate any of this. We take it that Barnabas, being the godly encourager, would have rejoiced to see God at work in Paul’s life. Might Paul have had Barnabas in mind when he extolled Christlikeness?

If there is any encouragement in Christ . . . Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus . . . (Phil. 2:1,3–5)

At this juncture, John abandoned the mission, and that after only the second stop. No reason is given, but Paul later refused to allow him to rejoin them on the second mission tour, causing an insurmountable rift with Barnabas (Acts 15:38–39). Whatever the cause, the team’s makeup had decidedly changed.

Lord, I humbly accept the supporting role to others who receive more attention.