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SILAS

(Gk. Sílas) (also SILVANUS)

A leader of the Jerusalem church and companion of Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:22–18:5). He is the same as Silvanus in the Epistles (2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; cf. Acts 16:19-24; 18:1-5; 1 Thess. 2:2). Silvanus is the Latin form and Silas either a Semitic name or Greek abbreviation.

Silas is one of the “leading men” from the Jerusalem church who was chosen to deliver and explain to the believers in Syria and Cilicia the decision of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:22). He and Judas (Barsabbas) accompanied Paul and Barnabas on this important mission, and as prophets (Acts 15:32) they encouraged and strengthened those in Antioch. Apparently after Silas reported back to Jerusalem (Acts 15:33) he returned to Antioch.

Following his disagreement with Barnabas, Paul chose Silas to accompany him on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40) beginning in Syria and Cilicia. Silas’ presence gave to their ministry the sanction of Jerusalem (cf. Acts 16:4), and like Paul he was a Roman citizen (16:37-38), another benefit in their travels. Joined at Lystra by Timothy and at Troas by Luke, they ventured into Macedonia (Acts 16:8-11), where they ministered in Philippi and were briefly imprisoned (vv. 19-40), and then to Thessalonica and Beroea before Paul was forced to flee to Athens. Although Silas and Timothy may have come to Paul at Athens for a time (Acts 17:15), they apparently ministered in Macedonia before rejoining Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:5; 2 Cor. 1:19). There Silas is listed along with Paul and Timothy as a co-sender of the Thessalonian epistles (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1).

Silas (Silvanus) was apparently later at Rome, where he assisted Peter with his first letter (1 Pet. 5:12), either as Peter’s amanuensis or courier. Peter’s personal commendation of Silas and the absence of a salutation from Silas to the recipients (cf. Mark in 1 Pet. 5:13) favor the latter.

Bibliography. F. F. Bruce, The Pauline Circle (Grand Rapids, 1985), 23-28; D. E. Hiebert, Personalities Around Paul (Chicago, 1973), 88-97; B. N. Kaye, “Acts’ Portrait of Silas,” NovT 21 (1979): 13-26.

W. Edward Glenny

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SILAS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)