Silas
of the Acts narrative1 is Silvanus of the epistles2 (cp. Acts 18:5; 2 Cor. 1:19). Having more
than one name in the ancient Greco-Roman world was fairly common (e.g.
Saul/Paul, Tabitha/Dorcas, John/Mark, etc.). The name “Silvanus” is Latin,3
which is not unusual for a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37, 38), while the name “Silas”
is Greek, evidently favored by the Greek Dr. Luke in his historical account. It
is possible that the name “Silas” is simply an abbreviated version of
“Silvanus.”
Silas first appears in the biblical record
in Acts 15, involved in the meeting of the Jerusalem elders and apostles
discussing the circumcision controversy. He is mentioned with Judas Barsabas,4
both described as “leading men among the brethren” (v. 22b NKJV). Being a recognized leader in a congregation that
has apostles and elders is pretty impressive.
After discussing the issue and reaching a
consensus under the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Acts 15:28), it was determined that
Judas Barsabas and Silas would put the decision into writing on the group’s
behalf (vv. 22-23). Note that the verbal form grapsantes is from graphō, which means to “write” (ASV, ERV, HCSB, ISV, N/KJV,
WEB),5 although several
English translations have curiously rendered it “sent” (ESV, NASB, NET, NIV, N/RSV,
cf. NLT). Granted, Judas Barsabas and Silas were the letter carriers (vv. 22a,
27), but someone had to do the writing, and the verb graphō identifies these two men as
the designated scribes.
Not everyone in the
ancient Greco-Roman world (even among the educated) was capable of writing,
much less writing well. The typical procedure in these predominantly oral cultures was
to verbally dictate information to a trained amanuensis (secretary) who was
responsible for putting it into writing. Note that Baruch wrote for Jeremiah
(Jer. 36:1-32), Tertius wrote for Paul (Rom. 16:22), and Silvanus wrote for
Peter (1 Pet. 5:12, discussed further below).6 If
multiple copies of the Jerusalem-conference letter were needed to send to
multiple congregations (cf. Acts 15:23, 30, 41; 16:4), more than one amanuensis
would be preferable. The point is, Silas (as well as Judas B.) was a skilled
writer, a fact that becomes even more significant as this study continues.
The document was hand-delivered and read,
and Judas B. and Silas are identified as “prophets” who gave additional
instruction as they “exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words” (Acts
15:27, 32). Here we learn that Silas (as well as Judas B.) was a divinely
inspired and adept teacher, as well as an encourager.
When the apostle Paul
needed a new missionary partner after he and Barnabas parted ways (Acts
15:36-39), Silas was chosen to fill the void (v. 40). Evidently he was someone
in whom the apostle had a great deal of confidence and is never depicted as a subordinate
or understudy but as an equal partner. After adding a couple more teammates,
the mission team headed to Macedonia (Acts 16:1-12).
In Philippi Silas
participated in preaching Christ’s gospel, leading to the first converts on
European soil (Acts 16:13-15). It was Silas who was working with Paul when the
two were apprehended, dragged before the magistrates, and accused of disturbing
the peace (a very serious charge under Roman law!). They were beaten with rods and
with many stripes, then thrown into the inner prison with their feet secured in
stocks (vv. 19-24). “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (v. 25). The situation
would have been much more daunting for Paul had Silas not been at his side.
Later Paul and Silas
together had the opportunity to teach the word of the Lord to the jailer and
his family, resulting in more conversions (Acts 16:29-34). It is here we learn that
Silas (like Paul) was an ethnic Jew and a Roman citizen (vv. 20, 37, 38). Silas
also helped to evangelize the residents of Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and
Corinth (Acts 17:1–18:5) – leaving behind established congregations7
– before fading out of the Acts narrative, only to reappear in the epistles.
A relatively short time
after Paul, Silas (a.k.a. Silvanus), and Timothy had departed from
Thessalonica, they collectively wrote a letter to the church of the
Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1; 2:17), followed by a second letter not long
thereafter (2 Thess. 1:1).8 Both documents are written almost
entirely in the “we” form of address to “you” the Thessalonian readers. While Paul
was obviously the leading correspondent, he kept his personal comments to a
minimum in both 1 Thessalonians (2:18; 3:5; 5:27) and 2 Thessalonians (2:5;
3:17). Moreover, the implication of 2 Thess. 3:17 is that the actual writing of
the material preceding the postscript was done by someone other than Paul himself.
Seeing that Silvanus was both a prophet and an efficient writer, his
contribution to the Thessalonian correspondence should not be ignored.
Over a decade after
his last known whereabouts in the biblical report, Silvanus reappears as the
apostle Peter’s coworker. At the end of Peter’s first epistle, the acknowledgment
is made: “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written [graphō] to you briefly …” (1
Pet. 5:12). Simon Peter, an uneducated fisherman (Acts 4:13), partnered with
Silvanus, a prophet and competent writer, in producing this inspired document.
Beyond these few
details, little else is known about Silas/Silvanus. The New Testament record
shows that he was:
o
a capable leader
o
an inspired prophet
o
an encouraging teacher
o
a dedicated missionary
o
an invaluable coworker
o
a skilled writer
His writing projects included at least four biblical manuscripts:
the letter embedded in Acts 15:23-29, the Thessalonian correspondence, and 1
Peter.9 His vital role in the establishment and spread of the early
Christian movement cannot be denied, the effects of which are still being
experienced today. How unfortunate that the extent of his work is often overlooked
and underappreciated. May we be
encouraged and motivated by his life of faithful service.
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Acts 15:22–18:5.
2 2 Cor. 1:19 [cf. 10:14]; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2
Thess. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:12.
3 Silvanus (meaning “of the
woods” in Latin) was the name of a Roman deity considered to be the protector
of forests and fields, including crops, herds, and flocks.
4 See The Aramaic Patronymic Bar-.
5 Cf. Acts 1:20; 7:42; 13:29,
33; 15:15; 18:27; 23:5, 25; 24:14; 25:26.
7 Cf. 1
Thess. 2:1-2, 13; 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 1:19. In addition to his initial evangelistic efforts, Silas’ ongoing follow-up work is indicated by
his remaining in Berea (Acts 17:14), returning to Macedonia after meeting Paul
in Athens (Acts 17:15; 1 Thess. 1:1; 3:1-2; Acts 18:5), and potentially
remaining in Corinth after Paul’s departure (Acts 18:5, 18).
9 For his
potential involvement in the writing of Hebrews, see Plural Authorship of Hebrews Part 1,
and Part 2.
Related
Posts: Titus, The Story of Young Jacob
No comments:
Post a Comment