Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Character Study of Silasa character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionSilas is a somewhat obscure New Testament character–a man in the thick of things, but not fortunateenough to have a letter or two named after him like Timothy or Titus. Silas spent a great deal of time withPaul–perhaps too much to expect a letter as well, and so what we know of Silas is largely learned fromLuke’s first-person accounts of their travels together and a few scant notes from Paul himself.Nevertheless, Silas distinguishes himself as a tireless messenger of the good news.DiscussionI. His CharacterA. Background1. lexicographers reason that Silas (pronounced see'-las) is probably a contracted form of thename, Silvanus (pr. sil-oo-an-os', meaning “woody”), 61 and that those two apparent New Testamentcharacters are likely one in the same2. speculation continues to suggest that Titus and Silas are the same person (based onSecond Corinthians 1:19, 8:23), and that Silas is also the author of the letter to the Hebrews, but there isreally isn’t any credible evidence to sustain either proposition 623. one thing that does seem clear is that, like Paul, Silas held the status of Roman citizen (see Acts16:37)B. Jerusalem’s Messenger to the Gentiles1. along with Judas Barsabbas, Silas was one of the leading men of the Jerusalem church selectedto convey the apostles’ and elders’ sentiments about the circumcision question to the Gentile communities(Acts 15:14-23, 27-28)2. Judas and Silas did more than carry a letter, however, confirming the genuine support of theJewish church by cooperating with the Gentile brethren in the gospel (Acts 15:30-33)C. Paul’s Partner in the Second Missionary Journey1. Silas’s main claim to fame is his companionship with the apostle Paul, beginning on the secondmissionary journey (Acts 15:36-41)2. Paul and Silas were joined by Timothy and passed through Phrygia and Galatia, eventuallyreaching Troas, where Luke rounded out the group on its way to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-12)3. they found sweet success in the conversion of Lydia, but things soon turned sour for Silas andhis friends (Acts 16:16-24)4. their faith in God, even while imprisoned, was soon rewarded (Acts 16:25-26); the police andmagistrates ended up apologizing to Paul and Silas both for imprisoning them and allowing them to bebeaten, not realizing that both were Roman citizens and due better treatment (see Acts 16:35-40)5. from there, Silas and his friends made their way to Thessalonica, making many converts beforebeing resisted again (Acts 17:1-14)D. Faithful Brother1. if it is true as seems apparent that Silas and Silvanus are the same person, we read of him againin several of Paul’s letters, including a reference to some work done among the Corinthians (SecondCorinthians 1:12-22; see also First Thessalonians 1:1 and Second Thessalonians 1:1)2. finally, Peter uses faithful Silvanus in his original messenger role, carrying his first inspiredletter to the pilgrims of the Dispersion (First Peter 5:12)II. Some ApplicationsA. Reliable Messenger1. Silas is typical of most Christians who toil in relative obscurity for most of their discipleship,only emerging for a little while in moments of great importance to take their stand before disappearingagain2. humility and dedication make that arrangement all right, for most of us never attain muchcelebrity or notoriety, but contribute to the stability of the church simply by being consistent and faithful225