Silas

Silas (also called Silvanus in the epistles — likely the more formal Latin name for the same person) was a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church who became Paul's companion on his second missionary journey. He and Judas Barsabas were chosen by the Jerusalem council to carry the letter resolving the Gentile circumcision controversy to Antioch (Acts 15:22–33). When Paul and Barnabas separated over John Mark, Paul chose Silas to accompany him through Syria, Cilicia, and into Macedonia (Acts 15:40–41).

Silas was with Paul at Philippi, where both were beaten and imprisoned after Paul cast out a spirit from a slave girl; their midnight singing of hymns and the subsequent earthquake that freed them is one of the memorable episodes of Acts 16. He continued with Paul in Thessalonica and Berea. As a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37), Silas shared Paul's legal standing. He is named as co-author of both Thessalonian letters (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and appears to have served as Peter's secretary for 1 Peter (1 Peter 5:12).