Who was Barnabas and what was his relationship to Paul? BIB 536-3-1

Although Barnabas’ original name was Joseph, the Apostles gave him a new name, Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement." In my opinion, more than an encourager of Paul, Barnabas was an advocate for Paul and encouraged the original apostles to accept Paul. Barnabas was a friend of Paul’s and walked with him and helped to form home churches.
After Paul’s experience “On the road to Damascus” he became a believer in Jesus and an out-spoken witness. Paul fled Damascus under threat of assassination and wanted to meet with the disciples in Jerusalem. With his reputation for persecuting believers the disciples didn’t trust him. Fortunately Paul had an advocate in Barnabas, the encourager. Barnabas brought Paul before the Apostles. Barnabas told about Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and how he then preached the name of Jesus. Because of Barnabas, Paul was accepted by the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Tarsus where he spent ten years. Jerusalem seemed to have forgotten Paul for years but Paul proclaimed his witness wherever and whenever possible. Finally Barnabas, the encourager, brought Saul to Antioch where they taught and raised funds for the Jerusalem church.
When the Judaizers tried to undermine Paul’s teachings claiming they spoke with James’ approval, it was Barnabas who returned with Paul to Jerusalem.
Barnabas walked with Paul until they went their separate ways due to a dispute over John Mark. John Mark had decided to leave the mission field and return to Jerusalem years earlier and then wanted to re-join Paul and Barnabas in the mission field. Paul was rather rigid while Barnabas (always the encourager) wanted to give John Mark another chance. So Barnabas went his way taking Mark with him, and Silas joined Paul. Good came from this split as it resulted in two teams in the mission field. Barnabas and Paul remained friends and John Mark was later reconciled with Paul.
From Wikipedia, “Although the date, place, and circumstances of his death are, as yet, historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus, in 61 AD.”
With thanks to the First Baptist Peddie Memorial Church, “Interestingly, the word "encouragement" is closely linked to the Holy Spirit, who is known as the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, or Advocate in various translations). The words "encouragement" (paraclesis) and "Comforter" (paracletos) are essentially the same in the Greek, the original language of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the Encourager. Have you ever thought that one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to encourage you? Have you ever prayed for the Holy Spirit to encourage you in times of trials and tribulations?” Good information, excellent suggestion.