Originally a leader in the church in Jerusalem, Silas—or Silvanus, with is a Greek variant of the name—would eventually become Paul's fellow traveller and worker on the apostles Second Missionary Journey.
Silas first comes to our attention when he was chosen, together with "Judas (called Barsabbas)", by the apostles to accompany Paul and Barnabas when they returned with a letter bearing the decision of the apostles to the church in Antioch at the end of the Jerusalem Council into order "to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing" (Acts 15:22-27).
Luke tells us additionally that Judas and Silas "who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers" in Antioch. After some months there they returned to Jerusalem, though some manuscripts suggest that Silas decided to stay on in Antioch. At any rate, Paul and Barnabas decided to return to the towns where they had preached before but they became divided over whether John Mark should go on the journey with them (Acts 15:37-38). With the fallout, Paul decided to make Silas his coworker (v40).
Silas proved a faithful companion, co-prisoner (Acts 16:19-40) and co-worker. He was included in Paul's greetings to the churches on at least two occasions (1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1) and acknowledged as a dependable colleague (2 Cor 1:19).
The apostle Peter spoke of "the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother" (1 Pet 5:12). It is not improbable that the same person is meant though how and why he came to so to be referenced, and well spoken of, by Peter remains unknown.
What became of Silas after Paul's second missionary journey is unknown.
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