1 Peter 5:12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
We get a glimpse into Peter’s setting in the next few verses as he closes out this letter. Silas was a significant early Christian missionary who traveled with Paul and Peter. Silas may have been involved in the writing of this letter, possibly the secretary or assisted Peter in the writing and distributing of it. It is possible that Peter was in prison in Rome when he wrote this, so he would need help getting it written. The primary reason Peter wrote was to point his readers to God’s grace, which is found in Jesus. This grace would sustain them through their trials, just as it had Peter. It is possible that this is Peter’s life was threatened and would soon be taken by the Emperor Nero. What Peter writes in this letter is not theory. It is his deep insight from close to 35 years of ministry and knowing Jesus. The primary message and application is for us to stand fast or put our confidence in God in the midst of suffering. We must not let the challenges we face diminish our faith but refine our faith until it is purer and stronger.
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