<p>11:23 <i>Who, when he had arrived and had seen the grace of God</i>- The idea is not simply that Barnabas saw how kind God had been in accepting the Gentiles. The gift <em>charis</em>, s.w. &quot;grace&quot; of God would have referred to the gift of the Spirit. With Cornelius, the receipt of the Spirit gifts by him was proof enough to the Jewish brethren that his conversion was <em>bona fide</em>. And so it was the same in Antioch- when Barnabas saw the evidence of the <em>charis</em> of God, the work of the Spirit, then he was assured that the conversions were valid.</p><p><em>Was glad</em>- There is a play on words here. <em>Chairo</em>, &quot;glad&quot;, is similar to <em>charis</em>, &quot;grace&quot; or &quot;gift&quot;. The joy of Barnabas was exactly because the Gentile converts had been given the gift of the Spirit, which was the proof of their legitimacy as converts. When those who have formally held a privileged position open the doors to others, it's a hard thing to be truly glad that you have lost your position of privilege. The joy of Barnabas and other Jewish brethren therefore indicates their utter humility and genuineness.</p><p><i>And he encouraged them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave to the Lord</i>- The Spirit gift of cleansing the heart must be responded to; 'use it or lose it' would be the appropriate slogan. Having seen evidence that they had received the gift of God, Barnabas urged them to do their part in maintaining that way of thinking / spirit.</p>