“By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.”
as I [Peter] consider him [Silvanus]
Peter gave extensive thought to the kind of man Silvanus was. He was someone Peter could trust. No doubt, Silvanus was better educated than Peter. Peter was a fisherman, but Silvanus was a skilled writer. He wrote polished Greek. Yet, Silvanus willingly submitted himself to Peter’s leadership and faithfully served under him.
Silvanus man was a close associate of both Peter and Paul. They were the two greatest missionaries of the first century. Silvanus was, therefore, a common factor in the most impacting missionary enterprises of the world! The two mighty apostles found a man upon whom they could depend.
PRINCIPLE:
God divinely designs a second-place role for some people.
APPLICATION:
The church can never do without people like Silvanus. He was content to take second place. He willingly served in the background so long as the work of Christ advanced. Both Paul and Peter overshadowed him. He accepted the role of a penman for these two great apostles. He was faithful in that role. Every era of Christianity needs this kind of person. The local church cannot do without them.
Are you someone others can count upon?
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
You do not have to be brilliant or prominent to be faithful. God did not say, “Well done, you famous servant.” Silvanus did not say, “Peter, you ask me to be a mailman? No way. That is beneath my dignity. Don’t you realize who I am? I am a polished Greek scholar.” No, Silvanus became a secretary and carried the mail because he was faithful.
What is beneath your dignity? Show me someone willing to do anything for the Lord, and I will show you someone God will use.
