Free Bible Commentary
“First Peter 5:12-14”
Categories: First Peter“Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.”
---End of Scripture verses---
It was actually the Apostle Paul’s frequent travelling companion, Silas (Silvanus) that wrote this letter according to Peter’s dictation, and he may have delivered it to its original recipients as well (verse 12). Silvanus proved himself over and over again to be a dependable and “faithful brother” in Christ. It was Silas who was beaten and imprisoned with Paul in Philippi for dutifully preaching salvation in Christ Jesus. “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). This is the type of brother anyone would want to be in the company of.
The ultimate purpose for Peter writing this letter was to “exhort” and “testify” about “the true grace of God.” It is by grace that God saves us through our obedient faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is the favor that God bestows upon His children, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us so very much and wants only the best blessings for us. But we have an important part to play in the reception and retention of God’s saving grace. We must repent of our sins and be immersed in water to enter into His grace and have our sins forgiven (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21), and we must remain faithful to the Lord with firm conviction in the face of trials and persecution. God does not extend His grace unconditionally. God’s grace is a gift but it is incumbent upon us to “stand firm in it!”
The “she” that extended her greetings was likely a local church, and “Babylon” may well have been a reference to the city of Rome (verse 13). The Apostle John referred to the capital city when he wrote, “And on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, ‘BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH’” (Revelation 17:5). The word “Babylon” is synonymous with sin, corruption and “abominations,” and let’s face it—that’s where we live now! But God’s people remained faithful to Him under the most oppressive governments and debased cultures of the past, and we can live virtuous lives of conviction in this day and age as well.
Peter closed by extending “love” and “peace” to “all who are in Christ” (verse 14). Brothers and sisters in Christ should love one another and it should be obvious. A “kiss” is not a command but there are other ways that we can show our appreciation and affection for our spiritual family members. Let’s look for appropriate ways to do that.
Lord willing we will have a brief introduction to the Second Epistle of Peter tomorrow.
Peace be to you all who are in Christ!
If you are not in Christ, what are you waiting for?!
That’s where all of God’s peace and grace reside!
-Louie Taylor
