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What the Bible Says About Silas

Overview

The Bible addresses silas across 51 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts, 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians. Closely related themes include Paul, Criminals, Philippi and Prisoners. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Silas, Paul, Jesus and Timothy.

Key Bible verses about silas

New Testament

Acts

Acts 15:22

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:23

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Acts 15:24

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Acts 15:25

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:26

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. mouth: Gr. word

Acts 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Acts 15:30

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Acts 15:31

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. consolation: or, exhortation

Acts 15:32

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Acts 15:33

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Acts 15:34

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Acts 15:40

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Acts 15:41

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 16:19

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, marketplace: or, court

Acts 16:20

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

Acts 16:21

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Acts 16:22

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

Acts 16:23

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Acts 16:26

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Acts 16:27

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

Acts 16:28

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Acts 16:29

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Acts 16:30

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:32

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Acts 16:33

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 16:34

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Acts 16:35

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

Acts 16:36

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

Acts 16:37

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

Acts 16:38

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

Acts 16:39

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

Acts 16:40

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Acts 17:4

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 17:5

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Acts 17:6

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Acts 17:7

Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

Acts 17:8

And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

Acts 17:9

And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Acts 17:10

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:14

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Acts 17:15

And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Acts 18:5

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. was Christ: or, is the Christ

People in the Bible and silas

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying silas for yourself

  • Begin with Acts 15:22, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Acts, 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Silas, Paul and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Paul, Criminals, Philippi and Prisoners.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about silas?

The Bible addresses silas across 51 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts, 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians. Closely related themes include Paul, Criminals, Philippi and Prisoners. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Silas, Paul, Jesus and Timothy.

How many Bible verses are about silas?

The Bible references silas in 51 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention silas?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Acts 15:22: “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”

Which people in the Bible are associated with silas?

Silas, Paul, Jesus, Timothy and Barnabas.

Preach & teach

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