Silas

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek Silas (likely a shortened form of Silvanus), a Latin-associated name used in early Christian circles
• Period/Era: Early Church, Apostolic Age (Roman Imperial Context)
• Main References: Acts 15–18; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12
• Key Connections: Jerusalem church leaders; Paul; Timothy; churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth

Who was Silas?

Silas was a prominent member of the Jerusalem church who served as a messenger and teacher.
He was chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the Jerusalem council’s letter to Antioch.
Silas later became a key coworker with Paul on missionary travels and was imprisoned with him in Philippi.
In the New Testament letters, he is also known by the name Silvanus.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Helped deliver and explain the Jerusalem council’s decision to Gentile believers — Acts 15:22–35
• Event 2: Traveled with Paul through Syria and Cilicia and into Macedonia, supporting church formation — Acts 15:40–16:5
• Event 3: Endured imprisonment in Philippi and witnessed the jailer’s conversion after an earthquake — Acts 16:19–34

Life Lesson & Legacy

Silas’s ministry reflects sustained participation in apostolic mission and resilience under hardship in the early church.

Key Verse

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." — Acts 16:25, ESV