As the church in Antioch continued to grow, Barnabas and perhaps others sensed the need for Saul"s help. Consequently Barnabas set out to track him down in Tarsus, where Saul had gone ( Acts 9:30). Saul was an ideal choice for this work since God had given him a special appointment to evangelize Gentiles ( Acts 22:21). Moreover he had considerable experience in ministry already, probably about nine years of it since his conversion. [1][source]
Some Bible scholars have deduced that Saul"s family in Tarsus had disinherited him (cf. Philippians 3:8). Some also believe he endured some of the afflictions he described in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 while he ministered in and around Tarsus. These included persecution by the Jews, probably for trying to evangelize Gentiles. Furthermore some say he had the revelation to which he referred in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 while he was ministering near there. He was undoubtedly very active in missionary work around Tarsus during his residence there even though we have no record of it. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Acts 11:19-30 - Knitting Together The Church
The development of God's plan is still further disclosed in the events recorded in this section, which describe the same phenomenon of Gentile conversion, but in different circumstances. In this case, it was not an Apostle that was God's chosen instrument, but a few unknown and unrecognized disciples, who were fleeing north from persecution, and had reached the gay, volatile city of Antioch. The hand of the Lord was with them, as it certainly had been with Peter, and large numbers of converts were gathered into a church. In this instance, also, the mother church felt bound to make inquiry, so they sent forth Barnabas, Acts 11:22.
Barnabas was a good man, and his unaffected piety enabled him to recognize at once that this movement was of God. All the signs of true conversion were present. He saw undoubted evidence of the grace of God, and pleaded with the new converts for tenacity and constancy. The secret of perseverance is in the phrase to cleave unto the Lord, Acts 11:23. In addition to the other beautiful traits of his character, we must add the spirit of tender brotherhood that carried Barnabas to Tarsus to find Saul. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 11
1Peter, being accused for preaching to the Gentiles, 5makes his defense; 18which is accepted 19The gospel being spread in Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, 22Barnabas is sent to confirm them 26The disciples are first called Christians at Antioch 27They send relief to the brothers in Judea in time of famine
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:25
To seek for Saul [αναζητησαι Σαυλον] First aorist (effective) active infinitive of purpose. Αναζητεω Anazēteō is a common verb since Plato, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 2:44,Luke 2:45, to seek up and down Barnabas knew his own limitations and knew where the man of destiny for this crisis was, the man who already had the seal of God upon him. The hour and the man met when Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. The door was open and the man was ready, far more ready than when Jesus called him on the road to Damascus. The years in Cilicia and Syria were not wasted for they had not been idle. If we only knew the facts, it is probable that Saul also had been preaching to Hellenes as well as to Hellenists. Jesus had definitely called him to work among the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). In his own way he had come to the same place that Peter reached in Caesarea and that Barnabas now holds in Antioch. God always has a man prepared for a great emergency in the kingdom. The call of Barnabas was simply the repetition of the call of Christ. So Saul came. [source]
To seek [ἀναζητῆσαι] Strictly, like our “hunt up ” ( ἀνά ). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 11:25
2 Corinthians 12:2Fourteen years ago [προ ετων δεκατεσσαρων] Idiomatic way of putting it, the preposition προ pro (before) before the date (Robertson, Grammar, p. 621f.) as in John 12:1. The date was probably while Paul was at Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25). We have no details of that period. Caught up (αρπαγεντα harpagenta). Second aorist passive participle of αρπαζω harpazō to seize (see note on Matthew 11:12). Even to the third heaven It is unlikely that Paul alludes to the idea of seven heavens held by some Jews (Test. of the Twelve Pat., Levi ii. iii.). He seems to mean the highest heaven where God is (Plummer). [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:25
First aorist (effective) active infinitive of purpose. Αναζητεω Anazēteō is a common verb since Plato, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 2:44, Luke 2:45, to seek up and down Barnabas knew his own limitations and knew where the man of destiny for this crisis was, the man who already had the seal of God upon him. The hour and the man met when Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. The door was open and the man was ready, far more ready than when Jesus called him on the road to Damascus. The years in Cilicia and Syria were not wasted for they had not been idle. If we only knew the facts, it is probable that Saul also had been preaching to Hellenes as well as to Hellenists. Jesus had definitely called him to work among the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). In his own way he had come to the same place that Peter reached in Caesarea and that Barnabas now holds in Antioch. God always has a man prepared for a great emergency in the kingdom. The call of Barnabas was simply the repetition of the call of Christ. So Saul came. [source]
Strictly, like our “hunt up ” ( ἀνά ). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 11:25
Idiomatic way of putting it, the preposition προ pro (before) before the date (Robertson, Grammar, p. 621f.) as in John 12:1. The date was probably while Paul was at Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25). We have no details of that period. Caught up (αρπαγεντα harpagenta). Second aorist passive participle of αρπαζω harpazō to seize (see note on Matthew 11:12). Even to the third heaven It is unlikely that Paul alludes to the idea of seven heavens held by some Jews (Test. of the Twelve Pat., Levi ii. iii.). He seems to mean the highest heaven where God is (Plummer). [source]