Acts xv. 22.SILAS, or Sylvanus, was, according to St. Luke, one of the chief Men among the Brethren; which gives Room to judge, that he was of the Number of the Seventy Disciples. When a Dispute was rais’d at Antioch, about the Observation of the Legal Ceremonies, they chose Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, to go to Jerusalem, to advise with the Apostles concerning this Question. ‘Tis believ’d to be the same Hieron. Grot. Fromond.Silas, who is mention’d by the Name of Sylvanus, in the Title of the two Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. St. Peter sent his first Epistle by him from Rome, wherein he stiles him a faithful Brother. Silas join’d himself to St. Paul; and after Acts xv. 37—41. In the Year of Christ 51.that Paul and Barnabas parted, on Account of John Mark, Silas follow’d St. Paul, and went with him to visit the Churches of Syria and Cilicia. Thence they passed into Lycaonia, into Phrygia, and Galatia; and lastly, they cross’d the Sea, and came into Macedonia. The Reader may see the Article of St. Paul, who had the chief Part in all these Transactions.
Acts xvi. 11,12,&c.Being at Philippi, they found a Woman who was possess’d with a Spirit of Python, from which St. Paul dispossess’d her. Upon which, the Masters of the young Woman were much provoked, for they got great Gains by the Predictions and Oracles the Devil pronounced, by making use of her Organs; wherefore they seized upon Paul and Silas, dragg’d them before the Magistrates, and accused them of introducing Customs among them, that were contrary to those of the Romans. The People flock’d together in a tumultuous manner, and the Magistrates gave Orders that Paul and Silas should be publickly whipp’d, and then put into Prison. In the Night there was a great Earthquake, the Doors of the Prison open’d, and the Fetters of the Prisoners fell off on their own accord. The Jailor thinking the Prisoners had made their Escape, was going to lay violent Hands on himself; but Paul call’d out to him, and bid him do himself no Harm, for all the Prisoners were safe. At this the Jailor was converted, and received Baptism, with his whole Family, as has been already related in the Article of St Paul. The Day following, the Magistrates sent Orders to set Paul and Silas at Liberty; but Paul reply’d, that Roman Citizens were not to be us’d thus, and that the Magistrates themselves might come and fetch them out of Prison. These Words of St. Paul give Room to judge, that Silas also might have the Freedom of the City of Rome.
From Philippi they went to Thessalonica and Berea, where they preached Jesus Christ; and St. Paul proceeding from Berea to Athens, he sent Silas thither, who however did not join him again ‘till they met at In the Year of Christ 52. 2 Cor. i. 19.Corinth; ‘twas there they wrote together the two Epistles to the Thessalonians. Silas was very useful to him in preaching the Gospel. The Roman Martyrology places the Feast of St. Silas upon the 13th of July. Ado says, he died in Macedonia, and seems to hint, that it was by Martyrdom. The Greeks improperly distinguish between Silas and Sylvanus, and put both their Feasts upon the 30th of July. There are some that refer to Silas, what St. Paul says to the Corinthians; And we have sent with 2 Cor. viii. 18, 19.him the Brother, whose Praise is in the Gospel, throughout all the Churches: And not that only, but who was also chosen of the Churches to travel with us, with this Grace which is administred by us, to the Glory of the same Lord, and Declaration of your ready Mind.
Silas and Carpus. ‘Tis pretended, that these were the two Disciples sent by John Matth. xi. 2, 3, &c.the Baptist to Jesus Christ, to enquire whether he were the Christ or no. Not that he had any Doubt about it, but to give these two Disciples an Opportunity of knowing our Saviour, of being instructed by him, and of being satisfy’d who he was. See Gerhard. Comment. ad Matth. xi. & Baron. Not. in Martyrol. Rom. xiii. Jul. & xiii. Octob.
Concerning the Motive of this Deputation of John the Baptist to Jesus Christ, there are many Sentiments both in ancient and modern Commentators; some thinking, that John had entertain’d some Suspicion about Jesus Christ; others, that it was only his Disciples that doubted of his Mission; others, that John desired Instructions from him, concerning the other Life. To this Purpose, the Reader may consult our Commentary upon the Eleventh Chapter of St. Matthew.