SILAS

Peter was loud and always in the spotlight. Andrew, was always there, but he was quiet, happy to remain in the background.

Silas is like Andrew.

Dr. Luke introduced Silas into his narrative in the fifteen chapter of Acts. After the Jerusalem Council had concluded their important affairs, a small group of distinguished delegates, all “leading men among the brothers” (Acts 15:22), carried the Council’s letter to the Gentile Christians in Antioch.

“Paul chose Silas and departed” (Acts 15:40) on his second missionary journey, traveling “through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches” (Acts 15:41). Thus, Silas became Paul’s co-laborer, mentioned by Luke eight times while on the first European missionary journey (Acts 16:19, 25, 29; 17:4, 10, 14, 15; 18:5). Though usually inconspicuous and unassuming, Silas was there as the Gospel was carried to the “uttermost” (Acts 1:8, KJV).

Silas was with Paul in Philippi when they were brutally beaten, “severely flogged” (Acts 16:23) and imprisoned. Still bleeding, at “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25).

And though we think of Paul as the author, it was really a joint-venture of “Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy” (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) who addressed both pastoral epistles to the infant church at Thessalonica: “To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2).

More than a decade later, Silas was with Peter in Rome. As Emperor Nero brutalized Christians, Silas stood faithfully and fearlessly by the Apostle’s side and served as a scribe, penning Peter’s letter to the “elect exiles” (1 Peter 1:1, ESV).

“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen. Through Silvanus (Silas), a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” (1 Peter 5:10–12).

Thank you, Silas, for your mostly-silent service!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).