Just me thinking out loud here. I think this is a perfect example of how we are to encourage one another. Paul was using the tough love method, and Barnabas (son of Consolation) was using a more consolation type approach, and it seems John/Mark needed it after he departed from them in Pamphylia, and I bet it worked!
Many times I have seen these two types of encouragement being used here and to good effect. Although it takes the love of Christ and the wisdom to know which type to use on a person depending on the situation. Almost always after someone has had a dose of tough love I have noticed someone else follow up with a more tender approach, and the person often ends up for the better. Thats what I love about this place, you all are trying to strengthen, exhort, admonish, and encourage one another through the love of Christ. For what other reason has Christ given us to one another?
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
1Th 5:14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.
1Th 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Heb 12:11 At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
Heb 12:12 So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!
Heb 12:13 Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
Thanks Marques for your post, and thanks all for your responses.
Peace, G.Driggs