Silas, Silvanus [Sī'las,Sĭl vā'nus]—lover of words. A distinguished member and prophet of the Apostolic Church at Jerusalem who figures as the companion of Paul in his triumphs and trials. From the Book of Acts we learn that:

I. He was one of the chief men among the brethren and therefore of Jewish birth (Acts 15:32).

II. He was sent as a delegate from the Apostolic Council with Paul and Barnabas to report the Council’s decision (Acts 15:22).

III. He was probably a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37).

IV. His double qualification as a leading Jewish Christian and a Roman citizen eminently fitted him to take the place of Barnabas as Paul’s companion (Acts 15:40).

V. He suffered with Paul in prison (Acts 16:19, 25, 29), joining in the prayers and praises that midnight hour resulting in the conversion of the keeper of the prison.

VI. He was also associated with Peter, acting as bearer or scribe of Peter’s first Epistle (1 Pet. 5:12).

VII. He is probably the Silvanus who preached the Apostolic doctrine (2 Cor. 1:19; see 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1).