1 Peter 5:12 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

By Silvanus The person probably of that name, whom St. Paul united with himself in writing the epistles to the Thessalonians, namely, Silas, who (Act 15:22) is called a chief man among the brethren, and a prophet, Acts 15:32. Being Paul's constant companion in travel after the defection of John Mark, he, no doubt, assisted in planting churches in Galatia, and the other countries of the Lesser Asia, mentioned chap. 1 Peter 1:1. So being well known to the brethren in those parts, he was a fit person to carry this letter to them from St. Peter; to whom, probably, after Paul's death, he had attached himself as an assistant. A faithful brother, as I suppose As I judge upon good grounds, though not by immediate inspiration; I have written briefly Δι ολιγων, in few words; exhorting and testifying Or adding my testimony, as επιμαρτυρων signifies; namely, to that which they had before heard from Paul; that this is the true grace of God The true and only doctrine proceeding from the grace of God, and wherein the grace of God is offered and bestowed upon all penitent believers; and therefore earnestly exhorting you to attend to and seriously consider it.