A third important worker with Paul was Silas. There is no doubt as to the authors of the letters to the Thessalonians. “From Paul, Silas, and Timothy,” 1 Thessalonians 1:1 / 2 Thessalonians 1:1. Both letters are from Paul, Silas, also known as Silvanus and Timothy.
Of these three, the apostle Paul was the main author. We do not know how much of the letter Silas and Timothy wrote, but all three of them were in agreement with what the letter contained. Together with Paul, he established the church in Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-4.
Silvanus, also known as Silas, was originally a messenger from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, Acts 15:22 / Acts 15:27. Since Paul had rejected Mark as a travelling companion, Silas was the one selected to accompany him on his second missionary journey, Acts 15:40-41.
He was probably a Roman citizen, as was Paul. Silas was present at the meeting in Jerusalem over circumcision, Acts 15:22, and was one of those selected to convey the conclusions of that meeting to the churches in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, Acts 15:22-26.
He was recognised as a prophet who encouraged the brethren in Antioch, Acts 15:32. Silas accompanied Paul as he revisited churches in Syria, Cilicia, Galatia, Phrygia, and Mysia, where they delivered the decree written in Jerusalem and at the same time strengthened the churches, Acts 15:41.
pon the call for help in Macedonia, they set sail for Greece, Acts 16:6-10. At Philippi, Lydia, a seller of purple, was converted with her household. They are invited to stay with her while in Philippi, Acts 16:14-15.
We probably remember Silas the best because he and Paul ended up in jail in Philippi after being scourged, Acts 16:23. That night, they prayed and sang hymns, Acts 16:25.
What a strange sound this must have been to the jailer and the prisoners. An earthquake in the middle of the night secured their miraculous release, Acts 16:26.
The final result was that the jailer and his family were converted, Acts 16:29-34. When the magistrates learned that they had punished two Roman citizens, they were afraid and asked them to leave the city, Acts 16:37-39.
After a short visit with Lydia, Acts 16:40, they departed for Thessalonica. Many were converted there, Acts 17:4, but Paul is compelled to escape by night to Berea because of a mob, Acts 17:10-15.
Paul was forced to move on to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind, Acts 17:14. They finally catch up with Paul in Corinth, Acts 18:1-11. No further mention is made of Silas in this second missionary journey.