If in fact Silvanus is the courier Peter used to deliver his letter to the brethren in the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, it would be expected that any questions arising from Peter’s letter would be directed first to the man who has just come from Peter’s place; he, after all, would be expected to be familiar with Peter’s thoughts. So the words a faithful brother as I regard him serve as Peter’s statement of confidence in Silvanus; Peter trusts that Silvanus is indeed able to answer questions fairly and accurately. The term faithful brother speaks to their joint relation to God the Father in Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:17).