Editing Silas (section)

==Biblical narrative==
Silas is first mentioned in {{bibleverse||Acts|15:22|NKJV}}, where he and [[Judas Barsabbas]] (known often as 'Judas') were selected by the church elders to return with Paul and [[Saint Barnabas|Barnabas]] to Antioch following the Jerusalem Council. Silas and Judas are mentioned as being leaders among the brothers, prophets and encouraging speakers. Silas was selected by Paul to accompany him on his second mission after Paul and Barnabas split over an argument involving Mark's participation. It was during the second mission that he and Paul were imprisoned briefly in [[Philippi]], where an earthquake broke their chains and opened the prison door. Silas is thus sometimes depicted in art carrying broken chains.<ref>[http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/July/30-01.htm The Holy Disciples from the Seventy]</ref> [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2016:25-37&version=NIV Acts 16:25-37].

According to {{bibleverse||Acts|17-18|NKJV}}, Silas and Timothy travelled with Paul from Philippi to [[Thessalonica]], where they were treated with hostility in the [[synagogue]]s. The harassers followed the trio to [[Berea (Bible)|Berea]], threatening Paul's safety, and causing Paul to separate from Silas and Timothy. Paul travelled to [[Athens]], and Silas and Timothy later joined him in [[Ancient Corinth|Corinth]].<ref>{{bibleverse||Acts|18:5|NKJV}}</ref>

These events can be dated to around AD 50: the reference in {{bibleverse||Acts|18:12|NKJV}} to Proconsul [[Lucius Iunius Gallio Annaeanus|Gallio]] helps ascertain this date (cf. [[Gallio inscription]]).<ref>{{Cite book |editor1-last=Cross |editor1-first=F. L. |editor1-link=F. L. Cross |editor2-last=Livingstone |editor2-first=E. A. |editor2-link=Elizabeth Livingstone |title=The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church |date=2005 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=[[Oxford]] |edition=3rd Revised |pages=1243–5 |isbn=978-0-19-280290-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fUqcAQAAQBAJ}}</ref> According to {{bibleverse||Acts|18:6-7|NKJV}}, Paul ceased to attend the synagogue in Corinth as a result of hostility, Silas is not mentioned thereafter in the Acts narrative.

He appears in the salutation of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and is referred to in 2 Corinthians 1:19. This is as expected, as we read of his involvement in Paul's mission when these cities were visited. He also appears in the conclusion of 1 Peter at 5:12, and is perhaps the amanuensis. Peter says he regards Silas as "a faithful brother".