Acts 15:40

“And Paul chose Silas, etc.] To be his companion and assistant; this being the design of the Holy Ghost in influencing his, mind to stay longer at Antioch, after he, with Judas, was dismissed by the church to go to Jerusalem, (<441533>Acts 15:33,34) and departed; that is, from Antioch: being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God; (see Gill on “<441326>Acts 13:26”). The apostle having such a recommendation by the brethren of the church at Antioch, when he departed from them, and nothing of this kind being said with respect to Barnabas, have induced some to think, that the church took the part of the apostle against Barnabas, in the dispute between them; since the one went away…”

“and departed, being recommended . . . to the grace of God--(No doubt by some solemn service; see Act 13:3), as in Act 14:26. It does not follow from the historian's silence that Barnabas was not so recommended, too; for this is the last mention of Barnabas in the history, whose sole object now is to relate the proceedings of Paul. Nor does it seem quite fair (with DE WETTE, MEYER, HOWSON, ALFORD, HACKET, WEBSTER and WILKINSON, &c.) to conclude from this that the Church at Antioch took that marked way of showing their sympathy with Paul in opposition to Barnabas.”

“Being recommended - Being commended by prayer to God. See notes on Acts 14:26. return to 'Top of Page'”

“But Paul departed - Held on his intended course: being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God - We do not find that Barnabas stayed for this. O how mighty is the grace of God! which in the midst of the world, in the midst of sin, among so many snares of Satan, and in spite of the incredible weakness and depravity of nature, yet overcomes all opposition, sanctifies, sustains, and preserves us to the end! It appears not only that Paul and Barnabas were afterward thoroughly reconciled, Co1 9:6; Gal 2:9; but also that John was again admitted by St. Paul as a companion in his labours, Col 4:10; Plm 1:24; Ti2 4:11. Next: Acts Chapter 16”

“15:40-41 Following his disagreement with Barnabas over John Mark, Paul chose Silas as his partner for a second missionary journey through Syria and Cilicia. The two men traveled overland to visit Derbe and Lystra, explaining the decision of the Jerusalem council and strengthening believers in their faith.”

“chose: Act 15:22, Act 15:32, Act 16:1-3 being: Act 13:3, Act 14:26, Act 20:32; Co1 15:10; Co2 13:14; Ti2 4:22; Tit 3:15; Jo2 1:10, Jo2 1:11 Acts 15:41”