Had seen the grace of God - That is, had seen the effects produced by the grace of God. By the grace of God, we are to understand:

1. His favor.

2. The manifestations of that favor in the communication of spiritual blessings. And,

3. Principles of light, life, holiness, etc., producing effects demonstrative of the causes from which they sprung.

Barnabas saw that these people were objects of the Divine approbation; that they were abundantly blessed and edified together as a Christian Church; and that they had received especial influences from God, by his indwelling Spirit, which were to them incentives to faith, hope, and love, and also principles of conduct.

Was glad - Not envious because God had blessed the labors of others of his Master's servants, but rejoiced to find that the work of salvation was carried on by such instruments as God chose, and condescended to use. They who cannot rejoice in the conversion of sinners, because they have not been the means of it, or because such converts or their ministers have not precisely the same views of certain doctrines which they have themselves, show that they have little, if any thing, of the mind that was in Christ, in them.

With purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord - These converts had begun well; they must continue and persevere: God gave them the grace, the principle of life and action; it was their business to use this. If they did not, the gift would be resumed. Barnabas well knew that they must have the grace of God in them to enable them to do any good; but he knew, also, that its being in them did not necessarily imply that it must continue there. God had taught him that if they were not workers together with that grace they would receive it in vain; i.e., the end for which it was given would not be answered. He therefore exhorted them, τῃ προθεσει της καρδιας, with determination of heart, with set, fixed purpose and resolution, that they would cleave unto the Lord, προσμενειν τῳ Κυριῳ, to remain with the Lord; to continue in union and fellowship with him; to be faithful in keeping his truth, and obedient in the practice of it. To be a Christian is to be united to Christ, to be of one spirit with him: to continue to be a Christian is to continue in that union. It is absurd to talk of being children of God, and of absolute, final perseverance, when the soul has lost its spiritual union. There is no perseverance but in cleaving to the Lord: he who in his works denies him does not cleave to him. Such a one is not of God; if he ever had the salvation of God, he has lost it; he is fallen from grace; nor is there a word in the book of God, fairly and honestly understood, that says such a person shall absolutely and unavoidably arise from his fall.

seen.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you.

Colossians 1:6 Which is come to you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it...

1 Thessalonians 1:3,4 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...

2 Timothy 1:4,5 Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy...

2 Peter 1:4-9 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature...

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

and exhorted.

Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them...

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith...

John 8:31,32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed...

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you...

1 Thessalonians 3:2-5 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you...

Hebrews 10:19-26,32-39 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus...

2 Peter 3:17,18 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked...

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence...

purpose.

Psalm 17:3 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me, and shall find nothing...

Proverbs 23:15,28 My son, if your heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine...

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank...

2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh...

2 Timothy 3:10 But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

cleave.

Deuteronomy 10:20 You shall fear the LORD your God; him shall you serve, and to him shall you hold, and swear by his name.

Deuteronomy 30:20 That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may hold to him: for he is your life...

Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God...

Joshua 23:8 But hold to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...

Peter's Apologia
'And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5. I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

What God Hath Cleansed
'There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Breaking Out of Discord
'And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts