In all likelihood, Silvanus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Silas. Since Peter did not explain to his readers who Silvanus was, we may take for granted that his readers were familiar with him (which is not to say that they have all personally met him before). That Silvanus was well-known in the churches is evident from elsewhere in the Bible. Silas was a leading man among the brothers (Acts 15:22) and a prophet (Acts 15:32). So esteemed was he that he was commissioned (along with Barsabbas) to carry the letter containing the conclusions of the council held in Jerusalem to the church in Antioch (Acts 15:22). We later find him as Paul’s companion on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40; Acts 16:25; Acts 17:10; Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 1:19). He is also present with Paul when he wrote his two letters to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1). In the present passage, Silvanus is clearly present with Peter.