Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 15:41

"And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." — Acts 15:41 (ASV)

Paul’s selection of Silas (or “Silvanus,” as he is referred to more formally by his Latinized name in 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12) to accompany him on his return visit to the churches was wise. He had evidently come to appreciate Silas in their contacts at Jerusalem and Syrian Antioch and concluded that he would make a congenial colleague. More than that, Silas was a leader in the Jerusalem congregation (15:22) and was explicitly identified in the Jerusalem letter as one who could speak with authority on the attitude of the Jerusalem church (v.27). He was also, it seems, a Roman citizen who could claim, if need be, the privileges of such citizenship along with Paul (16:37). This was not true of Barnabas. Likewise, Silas was a prophet (15:32), who appears to have been fluent in Greek (15:22, 32) and a helpful amanuensis (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12). Thus Paul and Silas set out with the blessing of the Antioch congregation. The churches in Syria and Cilicia that they revisited and strengthened were presumably founded through the efforts of Paul (15:23, 36). Because of that, they would be receptive to the decision and letter of the Jerusalem Council.