1 Peter 5:12-14

VIII. PERSONAL MATTERS AND SALUTATIONS 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein.

Expanded Translation

By (or through, or by means of) Silvanus (Silas) your faithful and trustworthy brother, as I estimate him, I have written you this short letter, exhorting (or, perhaps, encouraging) you, and bearing my testimony that this is the true (real) grace of God: stand fast (stay put) in it![32]

[32] Thayer and others would give eis the meaning of enter here, rather than in, translating enter and stand fast, But the simple meaning in seems more appropriate to me.

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By Silvanus

Silas is a contracted form of this man's name. I see no reason to doubt, as some do, that this is the same man who traveled extensively with Paul, He is always referred to as Silas in Acts, and as Silvanus in the epistles. He may have been Peter's secretary, or scribe, but more than likely he only served as the messenger. See the Introduction.

exhorting

Parakaleo, which sometimes combines the ideas of exhorting, encouraging, and comforting.

and testifying that this is the true grace of God

Epimartureo, signifies to bear testimony, testify solemnly, establish by testimony, usually with the thought of giving evidence, So Peter had done regarding those matters that make up the life of the real Christianthe life that is in the sphere of God's true grace, They had experienced this grace in conversion and in the blessedness and progress of their life with Christ. This was no delusion, as they were tempted to suppose by their troubles and afflictions, but the genuine grace of God!

stand ye fast therein

That is, in the realm of the grace of God, Christ's church, the place where God's grace is diffused. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

1 Peter 5:13-14 She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son, Salute one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be unto you all that are in Christ.

Expanded Translation

She (the church) that is in Babylon, who have been elected to Gospel privileges along with you, greet (salute, express good wishes to) you; also Mark my son. Greet one another with a kiss, which is an expression of (your Christian) love.
Peace and tranquility be to all of you that are in fellowship with Christ.

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She that is in Babylon

The word church (ekklesia) is feminine in gender, and the salute here given is to be taken as from the congregation of believers in the city of Babylon.[33] Babylon was not as yet entirely destroyed, and there seems to be no real reason for believing Rome is meant here, or some Babylon of another country. See the Introduction.

[33] Church actually appears in Syriac and Vulgate versions.

Mark my son

Peter may have been instrumental in turning this man to Christ and therefore refers to him in this endearing manner. Paul spoke of Timothy and Titus as his children: 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:1, Titus 1:4.

salute one another with a kiss of love

Evidently the same as the holy kiss mentioned in Paul's writings (Romans 16:16, etc.). Greeting by means of a kiss seems to have been a common practice in the early church and for several centuries following the apostolic era.[34]

[34] See The Anti-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, p. 291 and Vol. 7, p. 422.

There is reason to believe that, as a rule, men only thus greeted men, and women, women.-' The eastern kiss was on the cheek, forehead, beard, hands, and even feet, but not the lips. In modern times, Christendom has substituted the kissing of the altar, the sacred elements, or the stole of the clergy.[35]

[35] This point is made by the Shaff-Herzog Ency., The International Standard Bible Ency., Woods.

peace be unto you all that are in Christ

Others do not have such an assurance. The peace Christ gives is not as the world gives (John 14:27), but far more lasting and satisfying. If our trust is in him, the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).