12 Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son.
14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
***
vs. 11 - "To him belongs..." - Praise the Lord! Eternal glory and Power is Christ's as it is the Father's and the Holy Spirit's. It can belong to none other. He is the almighty, eternal, and glorious Lord God. His life, His miracles, His resurrection and ascension all give proof to His being worthy. See Rev. 4:11 - "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!"
vs. 12 - "in order to encourage you" - This letter was written to encourage us during trouble, persecution and suffering.
It seems that 'Silvanus' may also be another name for 'Silas' who had been a helper for Paul on his journeys. Some of the helpers for Paul and Barnabas, or Peter and John moved from apostle to apostle wherever they were needed most.
"this is the true grace of God" - Go back to verse 10 - two important statements (1) you are called to His eternal glory, and (2) He himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. That is indeed grace - we are helpless, and He is not. He is not selfish and will give us what we do not deserve - because of His love for us.
vs. 13 - "The Church in Babylon" - The Church in Babylon is the Church of Jerusalem - which is a little bit cryptic.
One commentary (Matthew Henry) claims this letter was written from Assyria, or Babylon, and that the Jerusalem church had been driven out, dispersed and landed in Babylon.
Assyria was not Babylon. They were competing powerful nations during the early Jewish kingdoms. Assyria and Babylonia occupied the approximate same territory, roughly from the area now known as Turkey down to the Perisan Gulf. They ruled at different times, often over-running each other in their quest for dominance. The capital of the nation Babylonia was the city of Babylon, located in the southern portion of the area (now know as Iraq). Assyria's capital was Nineveh, or Assur, (see the book of Jonah) located close to the Black sea in the north.
The city of Babylon no longer existed by the time of the apostles. It appears to have declined to ruins after Alexander the Great conquered (approximately 275 BC) the nation. The name Babylon became a title for the Asian area where many churches were founded by Peter and Paul. Babylon was an important center of the Christian faith until the Islam invasion and destruction in the 700s AD.
Peter was visiting the exiled believers, and wrote this letter to encourage other Christians.
vs. 14 - "Peace to all of you" - The Peace of Christ is with us. Jesus promised His peace. See John 14:27. Paul echoes this promise in his letter to the Philippians. "Do not be anxious for anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus... And what you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things And the God of peace will be with you." Phi. 4:6,7,9. In the midst of trials and persecution, appeal to the Lord, and receive His peace. He will never leave your, nor abandon you. What a marvelous thought to ponder each and every day! If He is for us, who or what can be against us. We are His own family. Praise the Lord!
END OF CHAPTER
END OF LETTER
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