Silas(silvanus)
Summary
A prominent leader in the early church who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey, was imprisoned with him at Philippi, and served as co-author of letters to the Thessalonians.
☩The Jerusalem Council
Silas first appears in Acts as one of the 'leading men among the brethren' at Jerusalem, holding the office of prophet. When the Jerusalem Council decided that Gentile believers need not be circumcised, Silas and Judas Barsabas were chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to deliver this crucial letter to the churches of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. As prophets, they further confirmed the letter's contents by inspired teaching, exhorting and strengthening the brethren. His name, likely derived from the Latin silva (wood), suggests Hellenistic Jewish background, and he was a Roman citizen.
☩Companion of Paul
When Paul set out on his second missionary journey after separating from Barnabas, he chose Silas as his companion. Together they traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches, then through Galatia where they were joined by Timothy. The narrative in Acts records their journey through Macedonia—Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—where Silas shared both the triumphs and persecutions of gospel proclamation.
☩Imprisonment at Philippi
At Philippi, Paul and Silas were seized after casting a spirit of divination from a slave girl whose masters lost their income. They were beaten with rods and thrown into prison with feet fastened in stocks. At midnight, praying and singing hymns, they experienced an earthquake that opened the prison doors, leading to the conversion of the jailer and his household. Their Roman citizenship, revealed only after the beating, caused the magistrates to fear and personally escort them from prison.
☩Later Ministry
At Thessalonica and Berea, Silas faced Jewish opposition alongside Paul. When Paul departed for Athens, Silas remained in Berea with Timothy, later rejoining Paul at Corinth. He is named with Paul and Timothy in the opening of both Thessalonian letters, indicating his role in their composition. He is likely the 'Silvanus' mentioned by Peter as the one through whom he wrote his first letter, describing him as 'a faithful brother.'
Related Verses18 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Silas," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Silas," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Silas," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Silas," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).