5:12
The Greek actually says Silvanus rather than Silas, Silvanus is a variant of Silas. This sentence implies that Silas delivered the letter. Peter declares that the content of the letter is the “true grace of God” and exhorts them to stand firm in it. It is very easy to misunderstand the grace of God. Examples include:
- God will definitely make me rich (financially)
- I can do what I like and get away with it
- God will give me an easy life
No doubt you can think of others. The truth is rather different. The gospel is certainly not about carrying on sinning but being forgiven, and there is no promise of an easy life, rather following Christ is likely to involve times of cost and suffering. But in the midst of these things we will find the grace of God enabling us to be more than conquerors.
5:13,14
Babylon here is probably a reference to Rome, as it was in Revelation. In the Old Testament Babylon was for a time the all dominant power, and for a time the Israelites were exiles in Babylon. In Peter’s day Rome was the dominant power. Mark is probably John Mark who was a companion of Paul and Barnabas, and may be the person who wrote Mark’s gospel. “my son” indicates a closeness between Peter and Mark, and Mark’s gospel is generally thought to have been written with considerable input from Peter.
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