1 Peter 5:12-14
12 By [dia] Silvanus [Silouanos], a faithful [pistos]
brother [adelphos] unto you [humin], as [hos] I suppose [logizomai], I have written [grapho]
briefly [dia] [oligos], exhorting [parakaleo], and
[kai] testifying [epimartureo] that this [taute] is [einai] the true [alethes] grace [charis] of God [theos] wherein [eis] [hos] ye stand [histemi].
13 The church that is at [en]
Babylon [Babulon], elected together with [suneklektos] you, saluteth [aspazomai]
you [humas]; and [kai] so doth Marcus [Markos] my [mou] son [huios].
14 Greet ye [aspazomai] one
another [allelon] with [en] a kiss [philema] of charity
[agape]. Peace [eirene] be with you [humin] all [pas] that are in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous]. Amen [amen]. KJV-Interlinear
12 Through Silvanus, our faithful
brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying
that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with
you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace be to you all who are in Christ. NASB
Peter closes this
letter with the mention of Silvanus, whom most believe to be the same Silas
mentioned in Acts, also named as Silvanus by Paul, in both Thessalonians as
well as in 2 Corinthians.
By these mentions,
Silvanus appears to have been well known throughout the Christian groups in
those early decades, and it also indicates that most of the early Christians
knew of each other and their respective circumstances.
Knowledge of Christ, the
scriptures, and those who taught them, was well known. Without any telephone, internet, television, or
news reporting, as we know it today, information regarding Christ and doctrine
spread throughout the region and beyond, almost effortlessly.
Absent the modern
conveniences and technology, if Christianity is able to spread throughout the
world back then, how much more so can it spread in our current day?
Jesus Christ controls
history.Jesus Christ executes all of
the details of Gods plan, even the spread of doctrine to every individual on
the planet. Doctrine is never forced, but when anyone develops an interest, God
knows, and therefore supplies the gospel and doctrine as it is needed and
desired.
The reference to Mark
is probably John Mark mentioned in Acts.
And the reference as his son, is simply an expression of affection, not
implying a father-son relationship.Many
older folks will call younger men by the name of son.
Peter closes his letter
of encouragement by telling those readers and hearers, that despite their
suffering, whatever their situation might be, to hold on, be patient, and trust
in Christ.
Peace is the ultimate
goal and objective of the spiritual life spiritual maturity. It is the symbol of completion of ones life
to the maximum, and a designation for attaining the ultimate of all that is
attainable in life, which includes security, prosperity, wealth, contentment
and more.
Bible doctrine is the
only means of attaining peace.