Bible Strands
Acts 11:24
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Luke records this description to the early church regarding Barnabas’s character during the Antioch ministry. The account sits between his encouragement of the new believers in verse 23 and his departure to Tarsus for Saul in verse 25.
The words — The text employs ἀγαθὸς (agathos), literally "good," and πλὴρης (plērēs) πνεύματος ἁγίου, literally "full of [the] Holy Spirit," to define Barnabas. These descriptors establish his moral and spiritual condition before the narrative notes the resulting conversions.
The thread — The pattern of spiritual fullness yielding mass conversion repeats in Acts 5:14 and Acts 11:21, where believers are brought to the Lord. The structural parallel to Psalms 112:5 ties generous, justice-guided leadership to divine favor.
Why it lands — The verse demands that readers evaluate ministry effectiveness by spiritual condition rather than visible results. It requires alignment with God’s work through faith and obedience rather than human initiative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Cross-references
- Acts 5:14 Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.
- Acts 11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
- Psalms 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
- Acts 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
- Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Samuel 18:27 The watchman said, “The first man appears to me to be running like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “This is a good man,” said the king. “He comes with good news.”
- Acts 6:3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
- Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
- Romans 15:15 However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
- Psalms 37:23 The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.