Man living at the time of the New Testament
Silas (or Silvanus) was a prominent member of the Jerusalem church who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey and co-wrote some of his epistles.
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Also known as Silvanus
Silas, also known as Silvanus, was a significant figure in the early Christian church, particularly in his role as a companion of the apostle Paul. He is first mentioned in Act.15.22 as a prominent member of the Jerusalem church, along with Judas Barsabbas, chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver the decision of the Jerusalem Council regarding Gentile believers.
Described as a prophet (Act.15.32), Silas played a vital role in encouraging and strengthening the churches. After parting ways with Barnabas, Paul chose Silas as his new companion for his second missionary journey (Act.15.40). Together, they traveled through Syria, Cilicia, and various cities in Asia Minor, preaching the gospel and establishing churches.
In Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned for their ministry but were miraculously freed by an earthquake (Act.16.19-40). They continued their journey, ministering in Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth (Act.17.1-18:5). Silas remained with Paul in Corinth for an extended period, helping him establish the church there.
In addition to his missionary work, Silas is also mentioned as a co-author of some of Paul's epistles, specifically 1 and 2 Thessalonians (1Th.1.1; 2Th.1.1). He is also referred to as Silvanus in 2Co.1.19 and 1Pe.5.12, where he is described as a faithful brother.
Silas' dedication to the gospel, his leadership in the early church, and his partnership with Paul make him an important figure in the spread of Christianity during the first century.
Part of: Paul's Circle · The Jerusalem Church
After the council Silas, a leading man among the brothers, was chosen to accompany Paul. The two were beaten and jailed in Philippi and sang in prison, then preached together in Thessalonica and Berea.
Sources: Scripture
Silas is widely identified with the Silvanus of Paul's letters, who joins Paul and Timothy in greeting the Thessalonians and whom Peter names as his scribe. This would tie Peter and Paul through one co-worker.
Sources: Scripture
After debate, Peter and James spoke, and the letter was carried to Antioch by Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, with Paul and Barnabas.
Sources: Scripture
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Wood, a prominent member of the church at Jerusalem; also called Silvanus. He and Judas, surnamed Barsabas, were chosen by the church there to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their return to Antioch from the council of the apostles and elders (Acts 15:22), as bearers of the decree adopted by the council. He assisted Paul there in his evangelistic labours, and was also chosen by him to be his companion on his second missionary tour (Acts 16:19-24). He is referred to in the epistles under the name of Silvanus (2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:12). There is no record of the time or place of his death.
(contracted form of Silvanus, woody), an eminent member of the early Christian Church, described under that name in the Acts but as Silvanus in St. Paul’s epistles. He first appears as one of the leaders of the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22) holding the office of an inspired teacher. (Acts 15:32) His name, derived from the Latin silva, “wood,” betokens him a Hellenistic Jew, and he appears to have been a Roman citizen. (Acts 16:37) He was appointed as a delegate to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their return to Antioch with the decree of the Council of Jerusalem. (Acts 15:22,32) Having accomplished this mission, he returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 15:33) He must, however, have immediately revisited Antioch, for we find him selected by St. Paul as the companion of his second missionary journey. (Acts 15:40; Acts 17:10) At Berea he was left behind with Timothy while St. Paul proceeded to Athens, (Acts 17:14) and we hear nothing more of his movements until he rejoined the apostle at Corinth. (Acts 18:5) His presence at Corinth is several times noticed. (2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) Whether he was the Silvanus who conveyed St. Peter’s first epistle to Asia Minor, (1 Peter 5:12) is doubtful the probabilities are in favor of the identity. A tradition of very slight authority represents Silas to have become bishop of Corinth.
SI'LAS, Acts 15:40. contracted from SILVA'NUS (woody), 2 Cor 1:19, is called one of the chief of the brethren. Acts 15:22, and a faithful brother. 1 Pet 5:12. He is supposed to have been a native of Antioch, and a member of the Christian church there. Acts 15:37-41. He was the associate of Paul in several of his missionary tours, and his fellow-prisoner at Philippi. Acts 15:40; Acts 16:25, Acts 16:29; Acts 17:4, John 17:10, Lev 17:15. He is called a prophet, Acts 15:32, but what was the precise nature of this office in the days of the apostles is not clear.
SI'LAS, Acts 15:40. contracted from SILVA'NUS (woody), 2 Cor 1:19, is called one of the chief of the brethren. Acts 15:22, and a faithful brother. 1 Pet 5:12. He is supposed to have been a native of Antioch, and a member of the Christian church there. Acts 15:37-41. He was the associate of Paul in several of his missionary tours, and his fellow-prisoner at Philippi. Acts 15:40; Acts 16:25, Acts 16:29; Acts 17:4, John 17:10, Lev 17:15. He is called a prophet, Acts 15:32, but what was the precise nature of this office in the days of the apostles is not clear.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
17 verses in 5 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G4609
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
Not in this translation.
but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
When the girlʼs owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.