SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:12
Por Silvano, el hermano fiel, (segn yo pienso), os he escrito brevemente, amonestndoos, y testificando que esta es la verdadera gracia de Dios, en la cual estis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 5:12
Verse 12. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose] To say the least of this translation, it is extremely obscure, and not put together with that elegance which is usual to our translators. I see no reason why the clause may not be thus translated: I have written to you, as I consider, briefly, by Silvanus, the faithful brother. On all hands it is allowed that this Silvanus was the same as Silas, Paul's faithful companion in travel, mentioned Acts xv. 40; xvi. 19; and, if he were the same, Peter could never say as I suppose to his faith and piety: but he might well say this to the shortness of his epistle, notwithstanding the many and important subjects which it embraced. See the Syriac, Vulgate, &c. If the words be applied to Silvanus, they must be taken in a sense in which they are often used: "I conclude him to be a trustworthy person; one by whom I may safely send this letter; who will take care to travel through the different regions in Asia, Pontus, Galatia, and Bithynia; read it in every Church; and leave a copy for the encouragement and instruction of Christ's flock." And in such a state of the Church, in such countries, no ordinary person could have been intrusted with such a message. Exhorting] Calling upon you to be faithful, humble, and steady.
And testifying] epimarturwn, Earnestly witnessing, that it is the true grace - the genuine Gospel of Jesus Christ, in which ye stand, and in which ye should persevere to the end.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you , etc.] Silvanus is the same with Silas, so often mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, as a companion of the Apostle Paul; whom Peter met with in his travels, and sent this letter by him, or used him as his amanuensis, or both: his character is, that he was a faithful brother to those persons to whom this epistle is written; that is, he was a faithful minister of the Gospel to them, who with great sincerity and integrity preached the word unto them, as the apostle was well informed, and had reason to believe; for what follows, as I suppose , does not suggest any doubt of it, but, on the contrary, a firm belief; for the word used signifies to repute, to reckon, to conclude a thing upon the best and strongest reasons; though some connect this phrase, as that also unto you, with the following clause, I have written briefly ; as does the Syriac version, which renders the whole thus, these few things, as I think, I have written unto you, by Silvanus, a faithful brother; and then the sense is, this short epistle, as in my opinion it is, I have wrote and sent to you by Silvanus, who is faithful and upright, as a brother, a minister, and a messenger. The Arabic version seems to refer the above clause, as I suppose, neither to the character of Silvanus, nor to the brevity of the epistle, but to the matter of it, rendering it thus, these things, in a few words, I have written unto you, according to my sense; according to my judgment and reason, as I think, by which you will see and know my real sentiments and thoughts of things; for what I have written is according to the best of my understanding and knowledge: exhorting, and testifying, that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand ; or have stood, and still continue to do so: the Syriac version renders it, I am persuaded and testify; expressing his great confidence and assurance, that the Gospel of the grace of God, which springs from the grace of God, is full of it, and declares it, and which he had delivered in this epistle, and they had formerly received, and had stood fast in, and abode by, was the true Gospel. The Arabic version gives another sense, rendering the words thus, entreating and beseeching, that this grace of God, in which ye stand, may be true and firm; that is, that ye may still continue truly to embrace and profess it, and firmly abide by it; though the meaning rather is, that the apostle bears a testimony to the truth of the Gospel, and of the Christian religion, as held and professed by them with constancy hitherto; and exhorts them unto the consideration of the truth of it, which might be depended upon, to cleave unto it with full purpose of heart.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-14 - In conclusion, the apostle prays to God for them, as the God of all grace. Perfect implies their progress towards perfection. Stablis imports the curing of our natural lightness and inconstancy. Strengthe has respect to the growth of graces, especially where weakest an lowest. Settle signifies to fix upon a sure foundation, and may refe to Him who is the Foundation and Strength of believers. Thes expressions show that perseverance and progress in grace are first to be sought after by every Christian. The power of these doctrines on the hearts, and the fruits in the lives, showed who are partakers of the grace of God. The cherishing and increase of Christian love, and of affection one to another, is no matter of empty compliment, but the stamp and badge of Jesus Christ on his followers. Others may have false peace for a time, and wicked men may wish for it to themselve and to one another; but theirs is a vain hope, and will come to nought All solid peace is founded on Christ, and flows from him __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
δια 1223 σιλουανου 4610 υμιν 5213 του 3588 πιστου 4103 αδελφου 80 ως 5613 λογιζομαι 3049 5736 δι 1223 ολιγων 3641 εγραψα 1125 5656 παρακαλων 3870 5723 και 2532 επιμαρτυρων 1957 5723 ταυτην 3778 ειναι 1511 5750 αληθη 227 χαριν 5485 του 3588 θεου 2316 εις 1519 ην 3739 εστηκατε 2476 5758
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Silvanus. Probably the companion of Paul known in the Acts as Silas (xv. 22, 27, 32, 34, 40, etc.), and called Silvanus by Paul in 2 Corinthians i. 19; 1 Thess. i. 1; 2 Thess. i. 1.
A faithful brother. Brother has the definite article, the faithful brother, designating him as one well known for his fidelity. Rev. renders our, with the in margin.
Unto you. Construe, not as A.V., a brother unto you, but I have written unto you. So Rev.
As I suppose (wv logizomai). Too feeble, since the verb denotes a settled persuasion or assurance. See Rom. iii. 28, "we conclude" or reckon, as the result of our reasoning. Compare Rom. viii. 18; Heb. xi. 19. Rev., as I account him.
I have written (egraya). Lit., I wrote. An example of what is known as the epistolary aorist. The writer regards the time of writing as his correspondent will do when he shall have received the letter. We say in a letter, I write. Paul, writing to Philemon, says ajnepemya, I sent; since to Philemon the act of sending would be already past. Therefore in using this form of expression Peter does not refer to the second epistle, not to another now lost, but to the present epistle.
Briefly (di oligw). Lit., through few (words). Compare Heb. xiii. 22, where the expression is dia bracewn, through brief words.
Testifying (epimarturwn). Only here in New Testament. See on ver. 1. Wherein ye stand (eiv hn esthkate). The best texts read sthte, imperative. So Rev., stand ye fast therein. Lit., "into which stand," the preposition with the verb having the pregnant force of entering into and standing fast in.
