Unexpected Legacies: Silas, The Scribe ***REPOST***

Greetings, 

This is a throw back to my post on the HHH Blog on January 1st, 2025. You can see the original post here. I am re-posting this here as an introduction to a few posts that will be added to help me build consistency in my posts. May you find encouragement through it. 

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Ancient Painting of Silas

Scribes in the early church make for an interesting study. Silvanus, also known as Silas, is among them. The New Testament offers insights into who they were and what role they played. Similar to John Mark, Silas committed himself to ministry. He traveled with Peter and Paul, supporting their evangelistic work. He was a scribe for them both. Scribes, according to the dictionary, were not just writers; they were members of a powerful elite, who had a good standing and respect. Educated and learned, they served as teachers, editors, and historians, committed to the study of sacred texts. 

Today, the Bible is available to pretty much anyone who needs it. Those who served as scribes in the early church played a role in making this a possibility. Without them, we would have nowhere close to the amount of history that we have today. They were the keepers of history in a lot of ways. Although not always the original authors, these scribes preserve the historical accounts we have today. They preserved the inspiring words of those who shared their thoughts and ideals with their people. 

AI Generation of an Ancient Scribe

Although Silas worked as a scribe, he was also a respected member of the Jerusalem church. He traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey (2 Corinthians 1:19) and also experienced the harsh realities of imprisonment. There are even moments in scripture where he endured beatings just like Paul did (Acts 16:16-20). According to scriptures like 1 Peter 5:12, there is a strong indication that Silas accompanied Peter on missionary journeys as well. While Silas spent time with both of them, he also had his own missionary work. There is substantial evidence Silas spent a great deal of time in Antioch of Syria  (Acts 15:32). Many of those we learn about as traveling companions to Paul valued him. 

Some experts even affirm that there is a strong possibility that he was the author of one of the most educational letters in the New Testament, The Letter of Hebrews. Francine Rivers wrote an entire book about it called The Scribe. Although the authorship of Hebrews remains a mystery, Silas’s involvement as a potential author highlights his significant role in the early church’s growth. I strive to avoid placing my own theories in these historical articles. My personal research has led me to believe that Silas was involved in writing Hebrews, at least. I am actually working on a book right now that speaks to this idea. 

AI Generation of Paul and Silas in Prison 

The role that Silas played in the ministry of Paul and Peter was supportive, but there is a legacy in that type of ministry as well. Without support roles in the world we live in today, many things would go undone. Even in hard times, it’s the encouragement of others that keeps humanity going. People like Silas hold those in authority accountable for fulfilling their duty as leaders in society, regardless of what year it is. He is a great example of someone who used his gifts to serve others in humility and faithfulness. It is through that kind of loyalty that Silas becomes someone worth remembering. 

Ancient Writing

In all reality, the world of that time needed scribes like Silas to help build the foundations of the early church. Through everything, they stood by those they were called to support. We need more people like the scribes of the New Testament in the world today. With support like that, I am sure things would be much different. Scribes like Silas knew what they were getting into and were loyal to those they served. They were experts in an ancient, forgotten craft. The art of keeping records has fallen into a digital age and I, for one, believe in having those physical papers in hand. 

While we have people today, such as copywriters and editors, there was something significant about scribes who had to take the time to create the papyrus and ink they used to write within their time. Those of us who consider ourselves writers today honestly have it much easier than the scribes of the New Testament era. With a humility that rivaled even the most loyal servants of their time, scribes left behind a legacy of loyalty that would be hard to match in today’s world. Silas was a significant part of that. 

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.