Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

5:12 Some scholars have suggested that by Silvanus . . . I have written designates Silvanus as the secretary who helped compose the letter, but the Greek construction here (dia plus genitive of a person's name) would indicate instead that Silvanus delivered the letter (see, e.g., Acts 15:23, where the same construction occurs with this meaning). Silvanus is elsewhere called "Silas" (e.g., Acts 15:22; 16:19; 17:4; 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1). Peter sums up his letter by emphasizing that this is the true grace of God, urging his readers, in the midst of persecution and suffering, not to forsake the faith and to stand firm in that grace.

5:13 She who is at Babylon, who is . . . chosen almost certainly refers to the church in Rome, not a literal woman (cf. "elect lady," 2 John 1, 13). Although the Babylon of the OT was in ruins, the reference resonates with the OT, where "Babylon" represents a center of earthly power opposed to God (cf. Isaiah 13-14; Jeremiah 50-51; see also Revelation 17-18), and in Peter's day that city would be Rome. The language of "Babylon" and "chosen" forms an inclusio (a literary envelope) with the first verse of the book: the OT background to "Babylon" reminds believers that though they are exiles, they are "elect exiles" (1 Pet. 1:1) who will receive the promised inheritance. Mark is the same John Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (cf. Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13; 15:36-39). Though he left Paul and Barnabas, he was later restored to his former usefulness (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Peter would have known Mark from the earliest days, because the church met in his mother's home (Acts 12:12). In addition, this verse shows a close relationship between Peter and Mark (my son) and is one indication of the validity of the early church tradition that Mark wrote his Gospel at Peter's direction (see Introduction to Mark: Author and Title).

5:14 kiss of love. See note on 1 Cor. 16:20; cf. also Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26. Peter closes his letter with a final prayer that his readers will know peace, which will be their portion because they are in Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 1:2 and note on John 14:27).