When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Barnabas rejoices not just in conversions, but in seeing God's grace at work, recognizing it as divine intervention. He then urges them to "cleave" to the Lord with "purpose of heart"—a deliberate, unwavering resolve—not just a passive following, but an active commitment to stay connected to Jesus.
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Barnabas has just arrived in Antioch, a bustling Gentile city where many have recently turned to faith in Jesus. He witnesses firsthand the genuine work of God's grace among these new believers, and his heart rejoices at this expansion of the gospel beyond its Jewish roots. Barnabas then encourages them to remain steadfast in their newfound faith, urging them to cling to the Lord with determined resolve.
Imagine arriving in a new place and seeing something truly amazing happen – lives transformed, a community blooming. How does that kind of spiritual growth make you feel?
Barnabas arrives in Antioch and witnesses the tangible work of God's grace in the lives of new believers. The text says he 'was glad.' This wasn't just mild happiness; it was a deep, resonant joy. It's the joy that comes from seeing God actively at work, changing hearts and bringing people into His kingdom. It’s a reminder that true spiritual impact is God’s doing, and our role is to witness it with open hearts and rejoice.
This reaction is significant because it shows Barnabas’s selfless heart. He didn't come to impose his own agenda or to seek personal glory. Instead, he saw God’s grace at work and embraced it, even though these new believers were Gentiles, a group often looked down upon by those with a stricter Jewish background.
Starting something new is exciting, but sticking with it through challenges requires something deeper. What does it take to truly 'stick with' your faith?
Barnabas doesn't just celebrate the new converts; he exhorts them to 'remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.' This isn't a passive wish; it's a call to intentional, unwavering commitment. The original language suggests a firm resolve, a deliberate setting of the heart on Christ.
This 'steadfast purpose' is crucial because faith isn't a one-time decision but a continuous journey. It means choosing to adhere to the Lord, especially when life gets tough or when temptations arise. It's about actively cleaving to Him, not just in moments of spiritual high, but in the everyday grind. Barnabas understood that God's grace provides the power, but believers must actively choose to remain connected to that power.
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Understand the original words
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited, undeserved favor of God shown toward sinful humanity. It is the foundation of salvation, provided through Christ, and is the power that transforms the believer's life and sustains them.
parakaleō · Greek Verb
To encourage, urge, or console. In a biblical context, it involves calling someone to live in accordance with God's truth, often with urgency and warmth.
prothesis kardias · Greek Noun
A quality of the heart characterized by unwavering commitment, resolve, or a settled determination to hold fast to Christ despite obstacles.
Barnabas's arrival in Antioch, after the scattering of believers due to persecution, highlights a pivotal moment where the Gospel's reach expands to Gentiles, requiring a call to intentional, steadfast faith amidst this significant expansion.
c. AD 33
Stephen's Martyrdom and Scattering
Following the stoning of Stephen, a severe persecution erupts against the early Christian church in Jerusalem, forcing many believers to flee the city.
c. AD 33-36
Disciples Reach Antioch
Scattered believers travel to Phenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, sharing the message of Jesus primarily with Jewish communities in these new locations.
c. AD 36— this verse
Barnabas Arrives in Antioch
News of the growing Christian community in Antioch reaches Jerusalem, and the church there sends Barnabas to investigate and offer guidance.
c. AD 36-40
Barnabas's Ministry in Antioch
Barnabas witnesses the 'grace of God' among the new Gentile converts in Antioch and encourages them to remain steadfast in their faith.
This passage echoes the call to 'remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose' by urging believers to continue living in Christ, deeply rooted and built up in Him, just as they were taught. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of faith and the need to be firmly established.
Hebrews 3:14This verse highlights the consequence of not maintaining purpose, stating that believers become 'partners with Christ' only 'if they hold fast to the end the beginning of our confidence.' It underscores the importance of perseverance, a core theme in Barnabas's exhortation.
1 Corinthians 15:58Paul's strong encouragement to be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord' directly mirrors Barnabas's exhortation to cleave to the Lord with steadfast purpose. It shows that this call to resolute faithfulness was a vital teaching throughout the early church.
Matthew 13:20-21Jesus' parable of the sower describes seeds falling on rocky ground, representing those who receive the word with joy but fall away when trials come because they have no 'root.' This illustrates why Barnabas's emphasis on a 'steadfast purpose' was so crucial for enduring faith.
ellicottActs 11:23: "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."
(23) And exhorted them all. —The tense implies continuous action; and the verb in the Greek is that from which Barnabas took his name as the “Son of Comfort” or “Counsel.” (See Note on Acts 4:36 .) With purpose of heart.—The preacher had seen the grace of God, and had rejoiced at it; but he knew, as all true teachers know, that it is possib…
jfbActs 11:23: "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."
- when he … had seen the grace of God—in the new converts.was glad—owned and rejoiced in it at once as divine, though they were uncircumcised.exhorted them all that with purpose of heart—as opposed to a hasty and fickle discipleship.they would cleave unto the Lord—the Lord Jesus.
Barnabas rejoices not just in conversions, but in seeing God's grace at work, recognizing it as divine intervention. He then urges them to "cleave" to the Lord with "purpose of heart"—a deliberate, unwavering resolve—not just a passive following, but an active commitment to stay connected to Jesus.
Barnabas has just arrived in Antioch, a bustling Gentile city where many have recently turned to faith in Jesus. He witnesses firsthand the genuine work of God's grace among these new believers, and his heart rejoices at this expansion of the gospel beyond its Jewish roots. Barnabas then encourages them to remain steadfast in their newfound faith, urging them to cling to the Lord with determined resolve.
Barnabas has just arrived in Antioch, a bustling Gentile city where many have recently turned to faith in Jesus. He witnesses firsthand the genuine work of God's grace among these new believers, and his heart rejoices at this expansion of the gospel beyond its Jewish roots. Barnabas then encourages them to remain steadfast in their newfound faith, urging them to cling to the Lord with determined resolve.
"When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose," — Barnabas rejoices not just in conversions, but in seeing God's grace at work, recognizing it as divine intervention. He then urges them to "cleave" to the Lord with "purpose of heart"—a deliberate,…
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Last reviewed October 2026