First Epistle of Peter
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:12 (KJV)
"By Silvanus"
There is little question but that Silvanus here is the Silas we read of so often in the Acts and also in the epistles. Silas is a contraction of Silvanus. Silas travelled much with Paul, as recorded in Acts. After Barnabus and Paul were separated about the trouble over John Mark, Paul chose Silas for his partner and Barnabas chose Mark (Acts 15:36-40). No doubt Silas was often in these regions of Asia Minor and was known to those to whom this epistle was written. Paul was either in prison or perhaps executed and Silas was now with Peter.
Some have thought that Peter dictated this letter while Silas wrote it out. However, we rather think that when Peter says, "By Silvanus...I have written briefly" he means Silas was to be the messenger, carrying the epistle to them." Paul had need of someone to write his epistles for him, because it is commonly supposed he had very poor eye sight; but we have nothing to indicate that Peter needed such a writer.
Of course, this is mere supposition, but it may be that the Asia Minor Christians sent Silas to Peter to receive confirmation of the teachings of Paul. They were suffering so severely that they may have begun to wonder whether they were perhaps wrong on something. Peter's epistle has the two-fold purpose of confirming Paul's teaching and telling them that their suffering was a normal experience and also how they were to behave under those sufferings.
"a faithful brother"
Perhaps better "the faithful brother". This would indicate Silas was well known to the readers. This is a nice little touch regarding Silas by Peter. Too often servants of the Lord offer too few good words of one another. Peter says, "Silvanus, the faithful brother." There seemed to have been no jealousy or rivalry between early Christian workers. Paul took Peter to task openly, as we read in Galatians 2:11. Peter, without doubt, was in the wrong in that case. However, Peter did not hold a grudge. In 2 Peter 3:15, he calls him "our beloved brother Paul." If there was more of this love and respect for one another among servants of the Lord today, perhaps the work would get along much better.
No doubt, Silas was just what Peter called him, "a faithful brother." Could this same thing be said of us? No more wonderful thing could be said. Notice, Peter did not say "the very right reverend Silvanus," not even "Rev. Silas", although no doubt, Silas was a successful preacher or Paul would never have chosen him as partner. Such man-made titles are of recent origin and savor much of man-worship.
"unto you, as I suppose"
The "unto you" here is generally believed to apply to the expression, "I have written" rather than to "faithful brother." This would make the verse read, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother, I have written unto you briefly."
The expression, "as I suppose" does not mean that Peter questioned Silas' faithfulness, but rather means, "As I account him" as it is in the Revised Version. In other words, Peter is giving his estimation of Silas. He figures him to be a faithful brother. This is rather a commendation than a question mark.
"written briefly"
Peter says he has "written briefly." His epistle, although quite lengthy, is shorter than some of Paul's. Perhaps when thinking of the great importance of the subjects dealt with in it, he figures the epistle brief. The book of Hebrews is much longer, but the writer says a very similar thing at the end of it (v. 22), "And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation; for I have written a letter unto you in few words."
"exhorting"
Peter's purpose is not to teach these Christians new doctrines, but to exhort them to live a Christ-like life in the midst of great persecution. Exhortation is a needed work. Many Christians do not need more truth, but need rather to be told how to live out that which they know. Too much food with too little exercise produces indigestion. One brother said, "Many Christians are hog-fat, they eat plenty, but do little with it." A little running along the Christian pathway will keep them spiritually fit.
"and testifying that this is the true grace of God"
No doubt, "testifying" here is to the truth of the teachings of Paul and Peter. Paul certainly taught grace. It is the keynote of his preaching and Peter agrees that this is right. Perhaps they were especially asking for confirmation on this point. Peter desires to magnify Paul's teaching.
Peter mentions grace eight times in this epistle, and "the Lord is gracious" once. He starts his epistle with grace in chapter 1:2, and finishes with it here in 5:12. He must think it as important as Paul does.
"wherein ye stand"
They truly were standing in "the true grace of God." However, the original puts it in the imperative form and would better read, "stand ye therein". The Revised Version has "stand ye fast therein." This is an exhortation that we may well apply to our own hearts. Never let anyone shake you from the platform of the true grace of God.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:13 (KJV)
"The church"
The word "church" does not appear in the original. The Revised Version has "she that is in Babylon, elect together with you." This is a more accurate translation. Some have thought that Peter was referring to his wife, who was travelling with him or perhaps some other notable woman in Babylon. Both of these are probably unlikely. Why should he use the expression "elected together with you" of one lone woman in Babylon? How could they know who he meant? If it was his wife he meant, why would he not say so? It was probably more or less a custom to call a body of Christians or church by the title "she" or "lady". Is not the church "the bride of Christ?" Certainly you would not say of a bride, "He or "it" but "she". Therefore, Peter probably meant the church in Babylon. It is understandable that the believers as a group would send salutations to the saints in Asia Minor. The references to "she" and "lady" in 2 John would confirm the idea of a local church being called "she". Interpreting it as meaning the church, at least in the epistle of John, makes sense to us.
"Babylon"
This probably means the literal city of Babylon.
"so doth Marcus my son"
This could be the John Mark of the Acts and the epistles. While John Mark was not a real son of Peter's, he had acted a son to him. Mark had travelled with Paul and Barnabas, but left them at Pamphilia. For this reason, Paul would not take him along again, as we read in Acts 15:38. This caused contention between Paul and Barnabas and they went separate ways, Paul taking Silas and Barnabas taking Mark. Here, strange to say, we have Silas and Mark with Peter. We read in 2 Timothy 4:11that Mark was restored in favor with Paul, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." Here we find Mark saluting these Asia Minor Christians. No doubt, he had been in that country and they knew him well.
That John Mark was well known to Peter is evident from Acts 12:12. It is thought by many that Mark, who wrote the gospel known by his name, got some of his information from Peter. It might be that some of Mark's gospel was written during this stay at Babylon.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:14 (KJV)
"Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity"
The word "charity" here, as elsewhere, should be translated, "love".
The customary form of greeting in the east is still the kiss. Even in France today many people greet one another in this way. If we lived in the east or perhaps even in France, we might advocate greeting one another with a kiss of love. This certainly was the custom in the early church.
Five times, once in each of his five chapters, Peter makes some reference to loving other Christians. In 1:22 he speaks of "unfeigned love of the brethren." In 2:17, he says "love the brotherhood." In 3:8 we have "love as brethren." In 4:8, "love covers a multitude of sins," and here, "a kiss of love." Loving others is not the theme of the book, but he deemed it so important that he brings it in these many times.
"peace be with you all"
Peace was the last salutation that Christ left for His disciples, and Peter does the same here (See Luke 24:36). Every Christian, through salvation, has peace with God, so the salutation must refer to the peace of God. What great peace it gives in the heart to know that we are right with God, and that He is working all things out for our good, and that at last we will be at home with Him in heaven.
"in Christ Jesus"
This is an expression so common to Paul's epistles. Peter uses it once before in 3:16. What a wonderful place to be, "In Him." May we ever be content to be in Him, and our great desire be to do His will. Outside of Him there is no peace.
