Silas first appears as one of the leading men among the brothers in Jerusalem. The apostles and elders chose him to carry their letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, and as a prophet he encouraged and strengthened the church there with many words.
When Paul and Barnabas parted ways, Paul chose Silas for his second journey. In Philippi the two were beaten with rods and fastened in the stocks. About midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God, and an earthquake opened every door. Silas went on with Paul to Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth, and his name, as Silvanus, stands beside Paul's at the start of two letters. Peter later called him a faithful brother.
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About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Name means
Likely a short form of Silvanus, a Roman name
Home
Jerusalem
Role
Prophet, leader, Paul's traveling partner
Read in
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Silas's story
Open chains at midnight
Beginning
Chosen to carry the letter
A leading man sent with good news to the Gentiles.
High point
Strengthening the church
As a prophet he encourages the believers in Antioch.
Turning point
Paul's new partner
Paul chooses him for the second journey.
Low point
Beaten and in the stocks
Beaten with rods in Philippi and thrown into prison.
High point
Hymns at midnight
They sing; the doors open; the jailer believes.
Ending
A faithful brother
Peter writes through him and calls him faithful.
Starts as a leading man in Jerusalem. Ends as a faithful brother to two apostles.
Where Silas lived and went
Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.
HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.
How Silas is wired
Why there's no type here
Scripture records none of Silas's own words, too little to type him honestly.
Strengths & struggles
What's good in Silas
Trusted by the Jerusalem church (). Encouraged others (). Joyful under suffering (). Faithful ().
Silas sang in chains because his Lord had already broken death's.
He had risked his life for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (). That night in Philippi the jailer asked what he must do to be saved, and the answer was simple: believe in the Lord Jesus (). The prisoners heard hymns, and a household heard the gospel.
Questions to sit with
1
Silas sang at midnight with his back bleeding. What would it look like to worship in your worst hour?
2
Most of his work was helping others lead. Where are you called to be the steady second?
Study Silas with your group
Ready-to-lead group studies with discussion questions and a leader's note are on the way.
