Silas or Silvanus (Greek: Σίλας / Σιλουανός; fl. 1st century AD) was a leading member of the Early Christian community, who later accompanied Paul on parts of his first and second missionary journeys.
Name and etymologies
Silas is traditionally assumed to be the Silvanus mentioned in four epistles. Some translations, including the New International Version, call him Silas in the epistles. Paul, Silas and Timothy are listed as coauthors of the two letters to the Thessalonians. Second Corinthians mentions Silas as having preached with Paul and Timothy to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:19) and Peter's first epistle regards Silas as a faithful brother (1 Peter 5:12).
There is some disagreement over the proper form of his name: he is consistently called "Silas" in Acts, but the Latin Silvanus, which means "of the forest," is always used by Paul and in the First Epistle of Peter; it may be that "Silvanus" is the Romanized version of the original "Silas," or that "Silas" is the Greek nickname for "Silvanus." Silas is thus often identified with Silvanus of the Seventy. Fitzmyer points out that Silas is the Greek version of the Aramaic "Seila," a version of the Hebrew "Saul," which is attested in Palmyrene inscriptions. The Latin name "Silvanus" may be derived from pre-Roman Italian languages (see, e.g., the character "Asilas," an Etruscan leader and warrior-prophet who plays a prominent role in assisting Aeneas in Virgil's epic poem the Aeneid).
Biblical narrative
Silas is first mentioned in Acts 15:22 when he and Judas are selected by the church elders to return with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch following the Jerusalem Council. Silas and Judas are mentioned as being leaders among the brothers, prophets and encouraging speakers. Silas was selected by Paul to accompany him on his second mission after Paul and Barnabas split over an argument involving Mark's participation. It was during the second mission that he and Paul were imprisoned briefly in Philippi where an earthquake broke their chains and opened the prison door. Silas is thus sometimes depicted carrying broken chains. Acts 16:25-37.
According to Acts 17 and 18, Silas and Timothy travel with Paul from Philippi to Thessalonica where they are treated with hostility in the synagogue by some traditional Jews. The harassers follow the trio to Berea, threaten Paul's safety, and cause Paul to separate from Silas and Timothy. The two catch up with Paul later in Corinth.
Veneration
Silas is celebrated in the Calendar of Saints of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church on January 26 with Timothy and the Apostle Titus, and separately on July 13 by the Roman Catholic Church and February 10 by the Lutheran Churchâ€"Missouri Synod.
See also
- Paul the Apostle
- Agabus
- Barnabas
- Manahen
- Teachings of Silvanus An apocryphal text that is attributed to Silvanus/Silas.
References
