In these three verses there are some neat nuggets hiding out. This brief paragraph got me to thinking about God’s grace, and how that INCLUDES our trials and sufferings.

Here is the video link to today’s podcast:

Final Remarks

As usual – Spotify and iTunes Podcast links are to the right.

Here is the transcript for today’s podcast:

5:12-14 Farewell

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, 

Silas is undoubtedly the same person as the one mentioned in Acts 15, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians.

Acts 15:22-33

22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 

Acts 15:36-41

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

1 Thessalonians 1:1

1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

2 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Silas 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.

As we can see, Silas was indeed a prominent leader, but was always seen as a companion of Paul. But here Silas is connected with Peter. How did this happen? Though this is conjecture, I believe Silas was with Paul in Rome, as this letter was written from Rome during the last few years of Paul’s life, A.D. 60-65. Silas was closely tied to the other Apostles – being called “…one of their own…” in Acts 15. So it was probable he was trusted by Peter as well as Paul. As a result, Silas being connected with Peter was no coincidence.

I get the sense that Peter and Paul had a close connection as well, even after Paul’s confrontation with Peter in Galatians chapter 2, where Paul called out Peter’s hypocrisy (read the entire account in Galatians 2). And when you consider that the recipients of Peter’s letters were to the believers that occupied the area North and East of the churches planted out of Ephesus by Paul, you know there had to be some overlap and connection between the two of them. Therefore, I can see how Silas, primarily seen as a companion of Paul, would also have involvement with Peter, now in Rome with PAul. Hence Silas’ involvement in the writing of this letter.

Though it might seem odd to delve into a biography of Peter at the end of this letter instead of the beginning, I think it serves a particular purpose.

Firstly, the authoritative, wise and level-headed leader we see in this letter is so far removed from the mercurial, impulsive man we saw in the Gospels – the one who denied Jesus who tried to fight for Jesus in the Garden with a sword, and had a temper issue.

This letter was written a few years before his death at the hands of Nero, very close to Paul’s death at the hands of the same emperor. Nero started out as a good emperor for Rome but in the last few years of his life, he went completely off the rails, persecuting the church. Peter, being in Rome as Nero was beginning to become unhinged, could see the persecution coming, which was perhaps the impetus for this letter, as this first epistle concerned itself with external suffering and persecution.

So Peter and Paul… and Silas. Together in Rome – witnesses up close and personal to the insanity of the Emperor of Rome and his vitriol unleashed against them and by extension, the Church that Peter and Paul represented.

I have written to you briefly, 

I get the sense that this is a quickly written letter – perhaps written as Peter is beginning to see Nero begin his insane moves against the church. There is an urgency – though this letter is well thought out, it is important that his constituency get this NOW.

encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

This is the true grace of God… everything he has written to them about is contained within the framework of the grace of God. This is important – he has written about the suffering they are and will be experiencing in the very near future. How in the world can suffering be part of God’s grace? 

Remember – grace is God’s unmerited favor given to us – not earned… given. Within the scope of God’s sovereignty and grace are trials, as well as victory. God’s will is to mold us into the image of His Son… and suffering is part of that. Getting fired and experiencing the loss of almost every material possession I had was used by God to change my thinking and attitude about money and spending. THAT trial was NOT fun… but necessary. 

The phrase “stand fast in it” evokes Ephesians 6, where Paul draws a picture of a Roman soldier who has done all he can in the battle… and yet still stands. In the midst of your battle and trial… stand.

13 She who is in Babylon, 

By this time, “Babylon” became code for Rome. and “She” is code for the Church – their fellow believers in Rome. Remember where Peter is – Nero was sniffing out believers – especially in Rome, so Peter was taking care to protect those around them.

chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 

Mark was a primary companion of Peter. This is the Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark. Some folks call Mark’s gospel the Gospel of Peter, and is primarily a collection of what Mark heard Peter say about Jesus. The phrase “…my son, Mark” displays Peter’s feelings about him.

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Peter begins and ends this letter with “peace”. In chapter 1, he said “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” Here he repeats – “Peace to all of you who are in Christ”. This is not his hope that they escape the coming trials and sufferings. The thing about Godly peace is that you are so at rest in your knowledge of God and His ability to protect and guide you that you do not feel the need to retaliate when persecution comes. One preacher used to tell me that peace is the “cessation of againstness”. So what if the enemy of our souls wipes us off the face of the planet? The very second that takes place we are in the Presence of the One Who has saved us. Where is the loss? There is no loss. Peace to all of you.

Wow.

In His Peace,