And Now, Farewell!

5:12  It was common practice at the time this letter was written for the real author to take over the pen of the amanuensis and add the final words of personal greeting (Gal. 6:11). This may have happened here. Peter says he has written his letter with the help of Silas, an expression that, according to examples in Greek literature, can have several interpretations. Literally, the Greek is simply “through Silas.” That can mean that Silas was the bearer of the letter, or that he was the writer under Peter’s dictation, or that he composed the letter as a ghost-writer, embodying Peter’s thoughts.

The identity of Silas is not altogether certain, but most assume that he is Paul’s colleague Silvanus, the latter name being a Latinized form of “Silas.” No other Silvanus is known. …