To Be Found Faithful

As I began reading this morning, I immediately stopped when I read the name of a great hero of the Christian faith. Silvanus! Most people would say, WHO?" He is only mentioned 4 times in scripture, but what is said of him is all positive.


In 2 Corinthians 1:19, Paul says that the gospel was preached by him to those in Corinth. This shows him to be faithful, knowledgeable, and available for the work and spread of the gospel.

In 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:1, Paul mentions him as sending greeting to the believers in Thessalonica. Silvanus is mentioned in 1 Peter also. This shows his endurance in the work of the gospel. There is an over 10 year difference in the writing of these letters. Being mentioned in these letters shows that he continued to serve Paul and other believers faithfully.

Finally, in 1 Peter 5:12, Peter says that he had written to the readers through Silvanus. I am not sure if this meant Silvanus delivered the letter, or that Silvanus actually wrote the letter while Peter dictated to him. Either way Silvanus lives up to the title Peter uses for him, "faithful brother."

Silvanus lived up to that title. Yet he worked and stayed in what we would consider the background. He doesn't have a letter in the Bible bearing his name. He is not considered as great among those mentioned in the Bible. I have never heard a sermon about him and his faithful work. Without people like him, those who accomplished great things for Christ would never have done so. We all need people around us to lift us up and encourage us and support us when we serve Christ. In that, Silvanus was a great and faithful friend. In the end, what more or better can be said of us who know Christ than to say we have been faithful?Lord, help me be a Silvanus.