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Silas — fellow-missionary

A leading member of the Jerusalem church and a Roman citizen, chosen by Paul as his companion for the second missionary journey after the parting with Barnabas. He was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi and shared much of the Macedonian and Greek mission.

Role: Companion of Paul

Also known as: Silvanus

Lived: 1st century AD

What we know — and how we know it

Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Name & titles

ScholarlySilas (Greek Silas) is widely taken as a hellenized form of the Aramaic Sheila, the counterpart of Hebrew Shaul, "asked for" or "prayed for." Paul and Peter refer to the same companion by the Latin cognomen Silvanus (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12), the two names denoting one man.

Onomastic/textual point on the Silas–Silvanus equivalence; Sheila/Shaul derivation.

Where in scripture

Acts 2 Corinthians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Peter

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
Acts 15:22

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
Acts 15:27

Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
Acts 15:32

but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
Acts 15:40 — Chosen for the second journey

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Acts 16:19

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25 — Imprisoned with Paul at Philippi