Silas (Silvanus)

Silas enters as one of the Jerusalem church’s own leading men, chosen to carry the council’s Gentile-freedom letter to Antioch, where – “being prophets themselves” – he and Judas Barsabbas “encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words” (Acts 15:22-32). When Paul and Barnabas split over Mark, Paul chose Silas for the second journey: a partner with Jerusalem’s trust, a prophet’s gift, and – it would matter – Roman citizenship.

Philippi made the partnership legend. Stripped, beaten with rods, and fastened in the stocks of the inner prison, “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening” (Acts 16:25) – the church’s first recorded worship service in Europe, held in its least likely venue. The earthquake, the jailer’s conversion, and the magistrates’ panic on learning they had flogged Roman citizens finished the episode; Silas shared every stroke of it. He shared the Thessalonica riot and the Berean Bible studies too, and co-signed both letters back to the church they had been forced to abandon: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy…” (1 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

Years later he surfaces in Peter’s service: “By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you” (1 Peter 5:12) – secretary, and likely courier, of 1 Peter. Two apostles, two bodies of letters, one dependable Silas in the credits of both.

In the New Testament

• Courier and prophet of the council (Acts 15:22-34)
• The second journey: Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth (Acts 15:40-18:5)
• Co-sender of the Thessalonian letters (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19)
• Peter’s amanuensis (1 Peter 5:12)