Silvanus, also known as Silas, is a prominent figure in the New Testament, recognized for his role as a missionary and companion of the Apostle Paul. His contributions to the early Christian church are noted in several key passages, highlighting his dedication and service to the spread of the Gospel.

Name and Identity

Silvanus is the Latinized form of the name Silas, and both names are used interchangeably in the New Testament. The name Silvanus appears in the epistles, while Silas is more commonly used in the Acts of the Apostles. This dual naming reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the early Christian community, which often adapted names to suit different audiences.

Role in the Early Church

Silvanus first appears in the biblical narrative in Acts 15:22, where he is described as a leading member of the church in Jerusalem. He was chosen, along with Judas called Barsabbas, to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with the letter from the Jerusalem Council. This mission was crucial in resolving the dispute over Gentile circumcision, as recorded in Acts 15:23-29.

Silvanus's role as a trusted leader is further emphasized in Acts 15:32, where he is described as a prophet who encouraged and strengthened the believers in Antioch. His ability to exhort and build up the church was a significant asset to the early Christian mission.

Missionary Journeys

Silvanus is best known for his missionary work alongside Paul. After the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, Silvanus was chosen by Paul to accompany him on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40). Together, they traveled through regions such as Syria, Cilicia, and Macedonia, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches.

In Philippi, Silvanus and Paul were imprisoned for casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl (Acts 16:16-24). Despite their imprisonment, they prayed and sang hymns, leading to a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors. This event resulted in the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34).

Silvanus continued to work with Paul in Thessalonica and Berea, where they faced opposition from local Jews (Acts 17:1-14). His steadfastness in the face of persecution demonstrated his commitment to the mission and his unwavering faith.

Co-Authorship of Epistles

Silvanus is also recognized as a co-author of several Pauline epistles. In 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1, Paul includes Silvanus in the opening greetings, indicating his significant role in the composition and delivery of these letters. His involvement in the writing process underscores his theological insight and pastoral concern for the early Christian communities.

Additionally, Silvanus is mentioned in 1 Peter 5:12, where the Apostle Peter refers to him as a "faithful brother" and credits him with helping to write the letter. This association with both Paul and Peter highlights Silvanus's respected position within the apostolic circle and his influence in the early church.

Legacy

Silvanus's legacy is that of a dedicated missionary, a faithful companion, and a trusted leader in the early Christian movement. His contributions to the spread of the Gospel and the strengthening of the church are evident in the New Testament accounts. Through his work, Silvanus exemplified the qualities of perseverance, faithfulness, and courage, serving as a model for Christian service and discipleship.Silvanus

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Silvanus

[SILAS]

Silvanus

See SILAS.

SILVANUS

sil-va'-nus (Silouanos (2 Corinthians 1:19)).

See SILAS.

4610. Silouanos -- "sylvan," Silvanus, alt. form of the name Silas
... 4609, 4610. Silouanos. 4611 . "sylvan," Silvanus, alt. form ... Paul. Word Origin
a Latin form of Silas Definition "sylvan," Silvanus, alt. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4610.htm - 6k

4609. Silas -- Silas, a fellow missionary of Paul
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Silas Phonetic Spelling: (see'-las) Short Definition:
Silas Definition: Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4609.htm - 6k

To Silvanus the Primate.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, XV. To Silvanus the Primate. ... Footnotes: [1637]
cf. note on p. 261. Nothing is known of this Silvanus. [1638] Genesis 2:24. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xv to silvanus the primate.htm

Miracle Performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas Formerly of ...
... Book VII. Chapter XXXVII."Miracle performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas formerly
of Philippopolis. Silvanus was formerly a rhetorician ...
/.../chapter xxxvii miracle performed by silvanus.htm

The Confession of Eustathius, Silvanus, and Theophilus, the ...
... Book VI. Chapter XI."The Confession of Eustathius, Silvanus, and Theophilus,
the Deputies of the Macedonians, to Liberius, Bishop of Rome. ...
/.../chapter xi the confession of eustathius.htm

Death of the Tyrants Magnentius and Silvanus the Apostate. ...
... Book IV. Chapter VII."Death of the Tyrants Magnentius and Silvanus the
Apostate. Sedition of the Jews in Palestine. Gallus C??sar ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter vii death of the tyrants.htm

Monks of Palestine: Hesycas, Epiphanius, who was Afterwards in ...
... Book VI. Chapter XXXII."Monks of Palestine: Hesycas, Epiphanius, who was
afterwards in Cyprus, Ammonius, and Silvanus. Many monastical ...
/.../chapter xxxii monks of palestine hesycas.htm

Letter cclvi. To the Very Well Beloved and Reverend Brethren the ...
... To the very well beloved and reverend brethren the presbyters Acacius, Aetius, Paulus,
and Silvanus; the deacons Silvinus and Lucius, and the rest of the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclvi to the very.htm

Of what Befell the Orthodox Bishops at Constantinople.
... leading men. Of these were Eustathius of Armenia, Basilius of Galatia, Silvanus
of Tarsus, and Eleusius of Cyzicus. [578] On their ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxiii of what befell the.htm

Of the Council Held at Seleucia in Isauria.
... But Cyrillus passed by Antioch, which he had found without a pastor, and came to
Tarsus, where he dwelt with the excellent Silvanus, then bishop of that see. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxii of the council held.htm

The Macedonians, Pressed by the Emperor's violence Toward Them ...
... They sent for this purpose Eustathius bishop of Sebastia, who had been several times
deposed, Silvanus of Tarsus in Cilicia, and Theophilus of Castabala in the ...
/.../chapter xii the macedonians pressed by.htm

The Bishops of the Church that Evinced by their Blood the ...
... of the spiritual flocks of Christ: Tyrannion, [2556] bishop of the church of Tyre;
Zenobius, a presbyter of the church at Sidon; and Silvanus, [2557] bishop of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii the bishops of the.htm

Silvanus (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SILVANUS. sil-va'-nus (Silouanos (2 Corinthians
1:19)). See SILAS. Multi-Version Concordance Silvanus (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/silvanus.htm - 8k

Silva'nus (4 Occurrences)
Silva'nus. Silvanus, Silva'nus. Silver . Multi-Version Concordance
Silva'nus (4 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 1:19 for the Son of ...
/s/silva'nus.htm - 7k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... I. CANONICITY OF 1 PETER 1. External Evidence 2. Internal Evidence II. THE ADDRESS
Silvanus III. PLACE AND TIME OF COMPOSITION 1. Babylon: Which? ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Timotheus (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you
by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him ...
/t/timotheus.htm - 15k

Silas (22 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Wood, a prominent member of the church at Jerusalem;
also called Silvanus. He and Judas, surnamed Barsabas ...
/s/silas.htm - 21k

Thessalo'nians (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the assembly of Thessalonians
in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace ...
/t/thessalo'nians.htm - 7k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... 1:18, `according to the prophecies which went before in regard to thee') which
suggested the choice of Timothy as assistant of Paul and Silvanus, and his ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

Apostle (25 Occurrences)
... gifts. Paul was greater than Barnabas or Silvanus, just as Peter and John
were greater than Thaddaeus or Simon the Cananean. But ...
/a/apostle.htm - 87k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... The letter was Sent to the churches "by Silvanus, our faithful brother," the author
affirming that his object in writing was to exhort and testify concerning ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Assembly (371 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from ...
/a/assembly.htm - 38k

Who was Silas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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