Acts 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Paul and Barnabas were planning another missionary journey to revisit the believers in the cities where they had preached, moved by concern for those new converts and a desire to see them again. The sharp disagreement recorded here was over taking Mark on that next journey, with Paul objecting and Barnabas willing to take him. Paul objected because Mark had left them during their first journey, judging that earlier desertion and withdrawal too serious to excuse as evidence of weakness and unfitness and lack of readiness for the demands of ministry. Barnabas attributed Mark's withdrawal to inexperience, believed it should be considered and forgiven, and saw potential in him for useful service, being convinced he should continue in ministry.
The contention became so sharp that Paul and Barnabas separated from each other and went on separately. Barnabas took Mark by ship to Cyprus to continue the work. In Cyprus Mark assisted Barnabas in the work. Barnabas's support and training helped Mark develop into a valuable gospel worker.
Mark later proved useful in ministry, and Paul was reconciled to him and recognized, commended, and valued him as a useful fellow worker and help in ministry. The sharp contention and parting was a failing and infirmity showing that even apostles favored by God and entrusted with great responsibility were human and no more than human, with common frailties and subject to being overcome by temptation as people today strive, waver, and fall into error. The honest recording of such faults and follies of believers, instead of glossing over or suppressing them, fulfills justice requiring a faithful narration of facts and proves the authenticity of Scripture.
The contention and the failings of faithful people are recorded for benefit, warning, and instruction for later generations, so that seeing them struggle and fall and then through God's grace gain fresh vigor, take heart again, and conquer encourages desponding hearts not to despair of reaching excellence but to renew the conflict, press on, surmount obstacles, and be overcomers.