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Acts 15:38 But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But Paul thought fit not to take him along, the <i>one</i> having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Paul kept insisting that they should not take along with them the one who had quit <i>and</i> deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Paul did not want to, because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had stopped working with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />However, Paul didn't think it was right to take a person like him along. John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but Paul did not think it was right to take him, because he had not stayed with them to the end of their mission, but had turned back and left them in Pamphylia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But Paul did not think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and did not go with them to do the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But Paul thought fit not to take him along, the <i>one</i> having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But Paul deemed worthy, having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and not having come with them to the work, not to take him with them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Paul desired that he (as having departed from them out of Pamphylia, and not gone with them to the work) might not be received. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Paul was saying that he ought not to be received, since he withdrew from them at Pamphylia, and he had not gone with them in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Paul was unwilling to take him with them, because he had left them when they were in Pam-phyl’i-a, and had not gone with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But Paulus did not want to take him with them, because he had left them when they were in Pamphylia and did not go with them.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But Paul did not think it proper to take with them him who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But Paul thought that he would not take with them, him who having departed from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone along with them into the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But Paul did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but Paul did not think it proper to take one that had quitted them at Pamphylia, refusing to accompany them in their ministry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But Paul was not thinking <i>it</i> proper to take him with them, who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But Paul did not think proper to take him with <i>them,</i> who left them in Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/15-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5152" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Paul's Second Missionary Journey</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3972.htm" title="3972: Paulos (N-NMS) -- Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.">Paul</a> <a href="/greek/515.htm" title="515: ēxiou (V-IIA-3S) -- To account or treat as worthy. From axios; to deem entitled or fit.">thought it best</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">not</a> <a href="/greek/4838.htm" title="4838: symparalambanein (V-PNA) -- To take along as a companion. From sun and paralambano; to take along in company.">to take</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touton (DPro-AMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">him,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">because he</a> <a href="/greek/868.htm" title="868: apostanta (V-APA-AMS) -- From apo and histemi; to remove, i.e. instigate to revolt; usually to desist, desert, etc.">had deserted</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3828.htm" title="3828: Pamphylias (N-GFS) -- From a compound of pas and pura; every-tribal, i.e. Heterogeneous; Pamphylia, a region of Asia Minor.">Pamphylia</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/4905.htm" title="4905: synelthonta (V-APA-AMS) -- From sun and erchomai; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or, cohabit.">had not accompanied</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: ergon (N-ANS) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">work.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">39</span>Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Acts 13:13</a></span><br />After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">2 Timothy 4:11</a></span><br />Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-10.htm">Colossians 4:10</a></span><br />My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-24.htm">Philemon 1:24</a></span><br />as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">2 Timothy 4:10</a></span><br />because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Proverbs 25:19</a></span><br />Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-62.htm">Luke 9:62</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37-38</a></span><br />Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; / and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-50.htm">Mark 14:50</a></span><br />Then everyone deserted Him and fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-66.htm">John 6:66</a></span><br />From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">1 John 2:19</a></span><br />They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Proverbs 24:10</a></span><br />If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6</a></span><br />Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Galatians 2:13</a></span><br />The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21</a></span><br />For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.</p><p class="hdg">who.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Acts 13:13</a></b></br> Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9</a></b></br> The children of Ephraim, <i>being</i> armed, <i>and</i> carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Proverbs 25:19</a></b></br> Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble <i>is like</i> a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/2-31.htm">Abandoned</a> <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Best</a> <a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/acts/5-41.htm">Deemed</a> <a href="/acts/14-20.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/acts/1-20.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/acts/15-35.htm">Good</a> <a href="/acts/12-9.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/acts/12-15.htm">Insisting</a> <a href="/acts/15-35.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/5-34.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/acts/14-24.htm">Pamphylia</a> <a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Think</a> <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-38.htm">Undesirable</a> <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/john/5-13.htm">Withdrawn</a> <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Withdrew</a> <a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/27-20.htm">Abandoned</a> <a href="/acts/24-16.htm">Best</a> <a href="/acts/15-40.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/acts/26-8.htm">Deemed</a> <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-15.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/acts/16-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">Insisting</a> <a href="/acts/16-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/16-2.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/acts/27-5.htm">Pamphylia</a> <a href="/acts/15-40.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Right</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Think</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-28.htm">Undesirable</a> <a href="/acts/26-25.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/acts/23-19.htm">Withdrawn</a> <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Withdrew</a> <a href="/acts/17-25.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-5.htm">The apostles consult about it,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm">and send their determination by letters to the churches.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-39.htm">disagree, and travel different ways.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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His decision here reflects his commitment to the mission and the importance of reliability in ministry. This moment highlights the tension between grace and accountability within the church. Paul's judgment can be seen as prioritizing the mission's success over personal relationships, emphasizing the need for dependable partners in ministry. This decision also sets the stage for the eventual reconciliation and growth of John Mark, illustrating the redemptive potential within the Christian community.<p><b>because he had deserted them in Pamphylia</b><br>Pamphylia was a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where Paul and Barnabas had previously ministered. John Mark's departure from them in this region is recorded in <a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Acts 13:13</a>, where he left the missionary journey to return to Jerusalem. This act of desertion was significant enough to cause Paul to question John Mark's commitment. The cultural context of the time placed a high value on loyalty and perseverance, especially in the face of hardship. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early missionaries and the importance of steadfastness in the faith.<p><b>and had not accompanied them in the work</b><br>The "work" refers to the missionary efforts of spreading the Gospel, which involved preaching, teaching, and establishing churches. This was a demanding task that required dedication and resilience. By not accompanying them, John Mark missed the opportunity to contribute to this foundational period of church history. This phrase underscores the importance of active participation in ministry and the impact of one's absence on the collective mission. It also foreshadows John Mark's later contributions, as he eventually becomes a valuable asset to the early church, illustrating the theme of redemption and growth in Christian service.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>A key apostle in the early church, known for his missionary journeys and theological contributions to Christianity. In this passage, he is making a decision about who should accompany him on his mission.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/barnabas.htm">Barnabas</a></b><br>A fellow missionary and companion of Paul. Known for his encouragement and support of new believers, including John Mark.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_mark.htm">John Mark</a></b><br>A young disciple who had previously left Paul and Barnabas during a missionary journey in Pamphylia, leading to Paul's reluctance to take him on another journey.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pamphylia.htm">Pamphylia</a></b><br>A region in Asia Minor where John Mark had previously left the missionary team, which is a point of contention in this passage.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/missionary_journey.htm">Missionary Journey</a></b><br>The context of this passage is the planning of a missionary journey to strengthen the churches and spread the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_ministry.htm">Discernment in Ministry</a></b><br>Paul’s decision not to take John Mark highlights the importance of discernment in choosing ministry partners. It is crucial to consider past experiences and the reliability of those we work with in ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/handling_disagreements.htm">Handling Disagreements</a></b><br>The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark shows that even strong believers can have differing opinions. It is important to handle such disagreements with grace and seek God’s guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/second_chances.htm">Second Chances</a></b><br>Although Paul initially refused to take John Mark, later scriptures show reconciliation and restoration. This teaches the value of giving second chances and recognizing growth in others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_the_work.htm">Commitment to the Work</a></b><br>John Mark’s initial departure serves as a reminder of the importance of commitment and perseverance in ministry work. It challenges us to remain steadfast even when the journey is difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/growth_and_maturity.htm">Growth and Maturity</a></b><br>The eventual reconciliation between Paul and John Mark illustrates the potential for personal growth and maturity over time. It encourages us to be patient with ourselves and others as we grow in faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/barnabas's_traits_and_life_lessons.htm">What are Barnabas's key traits and life lessons?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_paul's_revelation_be_validated.htm">In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul insists he received his gospel through a revelation from Christ; how can such a private claim be validated historically or scientifically?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_gloss_over_mark's_conflict_with_paul.htm">Acts 15:36-39 - Why does the text gloss over the credibility of Mark and the conflict with Paul and Barnabas, if unity was supposedly so crucial?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_cleansing_align_with_grace.htm">(2 Corinthians 7:1) How can Paul's call for believers to 'cleanse themselves' align with the belief that salvation depends on divine grace rather than human effort?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> <span class="accented">- Take with them him</span> for <span class="accented">take him with them</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">withdrew</span> for <span class="accented">departed</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">Withdrew</span>. The Greek word <span class="greek">ἀποστάντα</span> (from which comes the substantive <span class="accented">apostasy</span>) is a strong one, and denotes decided blame, as does the indication of the opposite course, by way of contrast, which he did not take. "He did not go with them to <span class="accented">the work"</span> to which God called them, as he ought to have done. The whole phrase, too, which follows is strongly worded. "Paul thought good," as regards one who had turned back from the work, "not <span class="accented">to take</span> that man." The <span class="greek">μὴ συμπαραλαβεῖν</span> of ver. 38 is, as Meyer observes, sharply opposed to the <span class="greek">συμπαραλαβεῖν</span> of ver. 37. Luke evidently sides strongly with Paul, and almost reproduces the <span class="accented">ipsis-sima verba</span> of the "sharp contention." One would infer that this passage was penned by Luke before the reconciliation which appears in <a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">2 Timothy 4:11</a>, and that we have here an indication of the early date of the publication of "The Acts." Perhaps also there is an indication in the narrative, coupled with Mark's subsequent attach-merit to Peter, that Mark rather leant at this time to Judaizing views, and that his previous departure "from the work" was partly owing to a want of complete sympathy with St. Paul's doctrine. St. Paul would have no half-hearted helper in his grand and arduous work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/15-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Paul</span><br /><span class="grk">Παῦλος</span> <span class="translit">(Paulos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> </span><span class="str2">Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thought it best</span><br /><span class="grk">ἠξίου</span> <span class="translit">(ēxiou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_515.htm">Strong's 515: </a> </span><span class="str2">To account or treat as worthy. From axios; to deem entitled or fit.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to take</span><br /><span class="grk">συμπαραλαμβάνειν</span> <span class="translit">(symparalambanein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4838.htm">Strong's 4838: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take along as a companion. From sun and paralambano; to take along in company.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him,</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτον</span> <span class="translit">(touton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[because] he</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had deserted</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποστάντα</span> <span class="translit">(apostanta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_868.htm">Strong's 868: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and histemi; to remove, i.e. instigate to revolt; usually to desist, desert, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπὸ</span> <span class="translit">(apo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> </span><span class="str2">From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Pamphylia</span><br /><span class="grk">Παμφυλίας</span> <span class="translit">(Pamphylias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3828.htm">Strong's 3828: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a compound of pas and pura; every-tribal, i.e. Heterogeneous; Pamphylia, a region of Asia Minor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">had not accompanied</span><br /><span class="grk">συνελθόντα</span> <span class="translit">(synelthonta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4905.htm">Strong's 4905: </a> </span><span class="str2">From sun and erchomai; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or, cohabit.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰς</span> <span class="translit">(eis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">work.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔργον</span> <span class="translit">(ergon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/15-38.htm">Acts 15:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/15-38.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:38 But Paul didn't think that it was (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>