1 Peter 5:12-14 12Through Silvanus, the faithful brother as I consider, I have written briefly to you, encouraging and testifying that this is the true grace of God, in which you must stand firm. 13She who is in Babylon, who is also chosen, greets you, and Mark, my son. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
These verses mark the closing and final greetings of the letter. We get a glimpse into Peter’s setting in these verses. Silvanus is the long version of “Silas.” Silas was a significant early Christian missionary who traveled with Paul and Peter. He may have been involved in helping Peter write this letter, possibly as the scribe or assisting Peter in the topics and wording. The Greek of this letter is rather sophisticated at points, which suggests a native speaker was involved. It is possible that Peter was in prison in Rome when he wrote this, so he would need help getting it written and distributed.
The primary reason Peter wrote was to point his readers to God’s sufficient grace found in Christ. This grace would sustain the Christians of Asia Minor and beyond through their trials, just as it had helped Peter. It is possible that Peter’s life was threatened and would soon be taken by the Emperor Nero. What Peter writes in this letter is not theory but deeply personal and relevant to his own life. The letter reflects his deep insights from over 35 years of ministry and knowing Jesus. The primary message and application of the letter are to stand fast and 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.
Verse 13 contains more historical references and clues about Peter’s situation. First, we do not know to whom the feminine pronoun she refers. As a feminine, it could refer to a woman or to a feminine noun in Greek, such as the “church” (ekklesia). Second, Babylon is likely a veiled reference to the city of Rome (Revelation 14:8; 17:5, 9, 18; 18:2). Rome had a reputation of being like ancient Babylon. This reference implies that Peter was in Rome when he wrote the letter. He may still have had some freedom to move, minister, and write this letter with the help of Silas. The details of his stay in Rome are unknown. Third, we see a reference to Mark. According to tradition, this was the Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark and traveled with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12). The New Testament has several references to Mark (Philemon 24, Colossians 4:10, and 2 Timothy 4:11). He had a significant role as an assistant to the apostles. Tradition also claims that Mark got the information for his Gospel from Peter, possibly during the days when both were in Rome. The connections and deep fellowship shared among the early Christians provide a role model for us today. Collaboration and companionship are much needed in our fractured, divided, and tension filled world.
Verse 14 gives Peter’s closing thought and encouragement to his readers to lean into one another and into Christ. They faced many challenges as a small minority. The call to holiness made them different from their culture, and this difference caused friction within families, households, and the sider community. The kiss of love represents a cultural symbol of deep fellowship and bond between early Christians (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26). In some cultures, a firm handshake would be similar. Showing closeness and concern in fellowship is important for life as a community. Peter ends with how he began (1:2), with a blessing of peace in Christ upon the scattered churches. The world desperately needs the peace available in Christ. Such a closing statement is more than a “goodbye” but reveals the only lasting source of peace in a troubled world.