Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 5:12

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account [him], I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand ye fast therein." — 1 Peter 5:12 (ASV)

Silas is undoubtedly the same person as the one mentioned in Ac 15:22–33; 15:40–18:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1. He was one of the leading men in the early church. What help he gave Peter in writing this letter is uncertain. If he was the writing secretary (amanuensis), it would have been normal for him to have a significant part in writing, perhaps even using his own words to convey Peter’s message.

Peter says this letter is brief, and he characterizes it as exhortation and testimony. The reference to “encouraging” (GK 4151) reminds us of the commands for ethical living he has given his readers, while the reference to “testifying” (GK 2148) stresses the reliability of what he has borne witness to. His final exhortation, “Stand fast in it,” relates to the “grace of God,” which no Christian earns or merits but which all Christians are obligated to abide in.