Σιλᾶς

Σιλᾶς, α or Σίλας, ᾶ (still other spellings are attested for the NT; s. B-D-F §53, 2; 125, 2), ὁ (several times in Joseph. as a Semitic name; OGI 604, 4; IGR III 817, 1. Evidently=שְׁאִילָא, the Aram. form [in Palmyrene inscriptions] of שָׁאוּל Saul) Silas. This name, which occurs only in Ac, is borne by a respected member of the church at Jerusalem who was prophetically gifted 15:22, 27; he was sent to Antioch and stayed there vss. 32, 33 [34] v.l.; later he accompanied Paul on his so-called second missionary journey 15:40–18:5 (mentioned nine times). Despite CWeizsäcker, Das apost. Zeitalter² 1892, 247 et al., incl. LRadermacher, ZNW 25, 1926, 295, it is hardly to be doubted that this Silas is the same pers. as the Σιλουανός who is mentioned in Paul and 1 Pt. See the next entry and s. AStegmann, Silvanus als Missionär u. ‘Hagiograph’ 1917. S. also s.v. Ἰωάν(ν)ης 6.—TRE III 609. M-M.