A CHIEF MAN AMONG THE BRETHREN, AND A PROPHET (ACTS 15:22, 32) · CALLED IN ACTS 15: SENT FROM JERUSALEM

Silas. Sent from Jerusalem with the council's letter; Paul's partner in Macedonia.

ALSO CALLED

Silvanus

FROM

One of the “chief men among the brethren” in the church at Jerusalem, chosen by the apostles, elders and whole church to go to Antioch.

TRADE

Scripture does not say

FAMILY

Scripture does not say

WRITINGS

None

BACKGROUND

Home, trade and family

FROM

THE CALLING

Called, as 2 accounts tell it

“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”

Acts 15:22 (KJV) →

WHERE HE WENT

Acts and after

  • Jerusalem · A leading man of the church here. Acts 15:22
  • Antioch in Syria · Brought the council's letter; set out from here with Paul. Acts 15:22 Acts 15:30–35 +1 more
  • Syria Acts 15:23 Acts 15:41
  • Cilicia Acts 15:23 Acts 15:41
  • Derbe Acts 16:1
  • Lystra · Paul found Timothy here or at Derbe (Acts 16:1). Acts 16:1
  • Troas Acts 16:8–10
  • Philippi · Beaten and imprisoned with Paul. Acts 16:12 Acts 16:19–40
  • Thessalonica · Also, in a list ascribed to Hippolytus, the see of a “Silvanus” counted as a different man (tradition). Acts 17:1–10
  • Berea Acts 17:10–14
  • Corinth · Preached here with Paul and Timothy. Called its bishop in the list ascribed to Hippolytus (tradition). Acts 18:1 Acts 18:5 +1 more

IN ACTS AND THE LETTERS

  • He was chosen with Judas Barsabas, carried the council's letter to Antioch, and with Judas exhorted the brethren there “with many words”. Acts 15:22–32
  • From the textThe KJV goes on: “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still” (Acts 15:34). That verse is in the Textus Receptus behind the KJV; the site's Tischendorf Greek text and the Revised Version (1881) leave it out. Acts 15:33–34
  • Chosen by Paul, he went through Syria and Cilicia, and on through Derbe and Lystra, where Timothy joined them, delivering the decrees of the apostles and elders. Acts 15:40–16:5
  • At Philippi he and Paul were seized, beaten with many stripes and put in the stocks; at midnight they “prayed, and sang praises unto God”; after the earthquake the jailor fell down before them and was baptized with his house. Acts 16:19–34
  • Next morning Paul refused to be let out secretly: “They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans”. The magistrates came, “and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans”. Acts 16:35–39
  • At Thessalonica some believed and “consorted with Paul and Silas”; after the uproar at Jason's house the brethren sent the two away by night to Berea. Acts 17:1–10
  • At Berea Silas and Timothy stayed when Paul was sent on to Athens; Paul sent word for them to come “with all speed”, and they reached him at Corinth, coming “from Macedonia”. Acts 17:13–15 Acts 18:5
  • Paul reminds the Corinthians that Christ “was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus”. 2 Corinthians 1:19
  • Both letters to the Thessalonians open “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus”. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 2 Thessalonians 1:1
  • 1 Peter closes: “By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly”. 1 Peter 5:12
  • From the textActs names Silas for the last time at Corinth (Acts 18:5); after that he is named only in the letters. Acts 18:5

COMPANIONS

Who was with him

Each line joins him to someone Scripture places beside him.

  • Paul Chose him for the second journey; they were beaten, jailed and freed together at Philippi. Acts 15:40 Acts 16:19–40
  • Judas Barsabas Sent with him from Jerusalem; both were prophets. Acts 15:22 Acts 15:27 Acts 15:32
  • Barnabas Went with them to Antioch with the council's letter. Acts 15:22 Acts 15:25
  • Timothy Joined them at Derbe and Lystra; stayed with Silas at Berea; named with him in the letters to the Thessalonians. Acts 16:1–3 Acts 17:14 Acts 18:5 1 Thessalonians 1:1
  • Lydia Paul and Silas went to her house when they left the prison. Acts 16:40
  • Jason Received them at Thessalonica and was dragged before the rulers for it. Acts 17:5–9
  • Peter Scholars' view1 Peter was written “by Silvanus”; that this is Paul's Silas is an identification (Smith 1884; Moorehead, ISBE 1915). 1 Peter 5:12 [20][28]

HOW THE STORY ENDS

Scripture says, tradition says

SCRIPTURE SAYS

  • From the textThe last we read of him: Acts leaves him at Corinth (Acts 18:5); 1 Peter names a Silvanus as “a faithful brother” (1 Peter 5:12). Scripture does not record where he went or how he died. Acts 18:5 1 Peter 5:12

TRADITION SAYS

  • A list of “the Seventy” ascribed to Hippolytus names “Silas, bishop of Corinth” and, as a separate man, “Silvanus, bishop of Thessalonica”. Its ANF editor calls it “Probably spurious, but yet antique”.[6] Who says so: On the Seventy Apostles, ascribed to Hippolytus, date unknown; the text's own editor judges it spurious but old
  • Smith (1884) calls the bishopric of Corinth “A tradition of very slight authority”.[20] Who says so: Smith's Bible Dictionary, 1884

OPEN QUESTIONS

Where readers have differed

One man: Silas is short for Silvanus

Smith (1884); Easton (1897); Ramsay (1895); Kerr, ISBE (1915)

The two names appear with the same companions in the same places: Silas with Paul and Timothy at Corinth in Acts, Silvanus with Paul and Timothy at Corinth in 2 Corinthians and the letters to the Thessalonians. Ramsay explains the difference as Luke's habit of using the everyday short form. Acts 18:5 2 Corinthians 1:19 1 Thessalonians 1:1 [20][19][16][21]

Two men

the list “On the Seventy Apostles” ascribed to Hippolytus (date unknown)

It lists “Silas, bishop of Corinth” and “Silvanus, bishop of Thessalonica” as two of the Seventy. It gives no reasons.[6]

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 9

Acts 15 Acts 16 Acts 17 Acts 18 2 Corinthians 1 1 Thessalonians 1 1 Thessalonians 2 2 Thessalonians 1 1 Peter 5

PASSAGES · 10

Acts 15:22–35 Acts 15:40–16:5 Acts 16:19–40 Acts 17:1–15 Acts 18:5 2 Corinthians 1:19 1 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Thessalonians 2:6 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Peter 5:12

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Scripture names no family of Silas and does not say where he was born.
  • Scripture does not say whether Silas stayed at Antioch or went back to Jerusalem: the verse that says he stayed (Acts 15:34) is in the KJV but not in the site's Tischendorf Greek text or the Revised Version.
  • Scripture does not say where Silas went after Corinth, or how or when he died.
  • Scripture does not say plainly that the Silvanus of 1 Peter is Paul's companion.

IDENTIFICATIONS THIS PAGE RELIES ON

  • From the textActs always calls him Silas; Paul's letters and 1 Peter call him Silvanus. Both names stand in the same company: Paul, Silas and Timothy in Macedonia and Corinth (Acts 17:14; 18:5), and “me and Silvanus and Timotheus” at Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:19). Acts 17:14 Acts 18:5 2 Corinthians 1:19 1 Thessalonians 1:1 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Peter 5:12
  • Scholars' viewSilas and Silvanus are generally taken as one man, Silas being a short form of Silvanus (Smith 1884; Easton 1897; Kerr in the ISBE, 1915). Ramsay (1895) notes that Luke uses the everyday short forms, Silas and Priscilla, where Paul writes Silvanus and Prisca. This page relies on that identification.[20][19][21][16]
  • Scholars' viewWhether the Silvanus “by” whom 1 Peter was written (1 Peter 5:12) is the same man Smith (1884) calls “doubtful”, though “the probabilities are in favor of the identity”; Moorehead (ISBE, 1915) takes him to be Paul's companion. 1 Peter 5:12 [20][28]
  • Scholars' viewPaul writes that “we” might have been burdensome “as the apostles of Christ” in a letter sent by Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus. Lightfoot (1890) thinks Silvanus is probably included among these “apostles”, but not Timothy, whom Paul elsewhere calls “the brother”. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Thessalonians 2:6 [11]
  • Scholars' viewThat Silas was a Roman citizen rests on Paul's words at Philippi, “being Romans”, said of himself and Silas (Smith 1884; Kerr, ISBE 1915). Acts 16:37–38 [20][21]

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • Eusebius (trans. A. C. McGiffert, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 1), Church History (1890), 3.4.6-7; 6.25.6.
  • A. C. McGiffert, Notes to Eusebius, Church History (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 1) (1890), book 3, chapter 4, notes 607-611 and 614-615; book 6, chapter 25, note 1981.
  • Irenaeus (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1), Against Heresies (1885), 3.1.1; 3.13.3 with note 3538; 3.14.1.
  • Tertullian (trans. Peter Holmes, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3), Against Marcion (1885), book 4, chapter 2; book 5, chapter 3.
  • Unknown (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5), The Muratorian Fragment (Canon Muratorianus) (1886), sections 1-2.
  • Ascribed to Hippolytus (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5), On the Seventy Apostles (1886), list nos. 15-17 and 50, with note 2027 ("Probably spurious, but yet antique").
  • Unknown (ed. James Donaldson; notes by M. B. Riddle; Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7), Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (1886), book 7, chapter 46; Riddle's introductory notice ("not later than the fourth century").
  • Jerome (trans. E. C. Richardson, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 3), Lives of Illustrious Men (1892), chapter 7 (Luke); chapter 135 (written "the fourteenth of the Emperor Theodosius").
  • Clement of Rome (trans. J. B. Lightfoot), 1 Clement (1891), chapter 47 (checked against the 1891 printing, archive.org apostolicfathers00ligh).
  • Suetonius (trans. J. C. Rolfe, Loeb Classical Library), The Lives of the Caesars: The Deified Claudius (1914), 25.4.
  • J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians (10th ed.; scan of a later reprint) (1890), pp. 96-98 ("The name and office of an Apostle", with notes); pp. 104-105 (on 2:3-5); pp. 121-123.
  • F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (1898 printing) (1879), pp. 234-236 ("Was he circumcised?").
  • Brooke Foss Westcott, The Epistle to the Hebrews: The Greek Text with Notes and Essays (2nd ed.) (1892), Introduction, "History and Authorship", pp. lxxiv-lxxix.
  • Marcus Dods, "The Epistle to the Hebrews", in The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. IV (1897 (1910 printing)), Introduction: authorship, pp. 228-229.
  • Charles Bigg, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude (2nd ed. 1902) (1901), Introduction to 1 Peter, p. 5.
  • W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen (1895), ch. III (Titus and the famine visit); ch. IX section 3 ("The coming of Luke"); ch. X; ch. XI (Aquila and the edict); ch. XII sections 1-2 (Cenchreae; Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila); ch. XIII (Titus); ch. XVII (Luke and Antioch).
  • W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life and Epistles of St. Paul, new edition (first published 1852) (1891), ch. XI, pp. 300-301 (Aquila and Priscilla); ch. XII, pp. 330-331 and note (the vow at Cenchreae).
  • Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 1: Apostolic Christianity (revised ed.) (1890), section 82 (Luke), with notes 991-994; section 85 (Acts), with note 1098.
  • M. G. Easton, Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), entries Silas; Timothy; Titus; Luke; Apollos; Aquila; Priscilla.
  • William Smith, Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884), entries Silas; Timothy; Titus; Titus Justus; Luke; Apollos; Aquila.
  • C. M. Kerr, Silas (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • C. M. Kerr, Apollos (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • John Rutherfurd, Timothy (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • John Rutherfurd, Titus (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • A. T. Robertson, Luke, the Evangelist (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (article unsigned in the online text), Acts of the Apostles, part 1 (III. Unity of the Book; IV. The Author) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • Jacob W. Kapp, Aquila (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.
  • William G. Moorehead, Peter, the First Epistle of (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) (1915), section on Silvanus; read online at internationalstandardbible.com; to be checked against a scan of the printed 1915 edition.

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