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Silas

Paul’s companion who sang hymns at midnight in a Philippian prison.

New Testament · 1st century · Acts, 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Peter · Also known as Silvanus

About Silas

Silas was one of the "chief men among the brethren" in the Jerusalem church, chosen to carry the council’s letter to Antioch, and a prophet. When Paul and Barnabas parted, "Paul chose Silas," and they set out together. At Philippi they were beaten and locked in the stocks, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Silas, called Silvanus in the letters, is named as co-author of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, and Peter wrote through him.

Silas’ words are always spoken together with Paul’s, so this guide speaks about him. Like Paul, he was a Roman citizen. "Silas" is the short form of "Silvanus," the name used in the letters.

The story

Chief men among the brethren

The Jerusalem council sent its decision to Antioch with "Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren." "And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them."

Acts 15:22-32

Paul chose Silas

After Paul and Barnabas parted over Mark, "Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."

Acts 15:39-41

At midnight

In Philippi, after Paul freed a slave girl from a spirit, her owners had them beaten and thrown into prison, their feet "fast in the stocks." "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake... and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed."

Acts 16:19-26

What must I do to be saved?

The jailer, about to kill himself, heard Paul cry, "Do thyself no harm: for we are all here." "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." He washed their wounds and was baptised with all his household.

Acts 16:27-34

Searched the scriptures daily

In Berea, the people "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Silas’ name, as Silvanus, opens Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, and Peter wrote, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you... I have written briefly."

Acts 17:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12

Key moments

Questions about Silas

Why did Paul choose Silas?

Acts doesn’t give Paul’s reasons, but Silas’ background fits well. He was one of the "chief men among the brethren" in Jerusalem, trusted by the apostles, and a prophet who "exhorted the brethren with many words." He had carried the council’s ruling that Gentile believers need not keep the whole law, exactly the message Paul was taking to the churches. And, like Paul, he was a Roman citizen.

How could they sing in prison?

Beaten and in the stocks, "at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." Scripture doesn’t explain their feelings, but Paul later wrote from another prison, "Rejoice in the Lord alway." Their joy didn’t depend on their circumstances, and the other prisoners were listening.

Is Silas the same as Silvanus?

Almost certainly. "Silas" is a short form of "Silvanus." Acts uses Silas; the letters use Silvanus: "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians," and Paul recalls preaching in Corinth "by me and Silvanus and Timotheus." Peter wrote, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you."

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Start with Acts 15:22-40; 16:16-40.

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