1Peter 5:12-14 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so doth Marcus my son. Greet you one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

‘Silvanus’ the same as Silas (2Cor. 1:19; 1Thess. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:1). Paul’s companion on his second missionary journey. He took part in the founding of the congregations in Macedonia (Acts 15:40-18:18). He was a chief man in the congregation at Jerusalem. Took Peter’s letter to Asia Minor (5:12).

‘The church that is at Babylon’ the congregation of believers at Babylon, not the modern version of churches as we know it today.

‘Babylon’ this refers to the city of Babylon on the River Euphrates, the only literal Babylon mentioned in Scripture. It is a historical fact that Babylon was still in existence at that time and that there were many Jews there. Josephus writes of Babylon about the same time.

‘Marcus’ this is John Mark, a convert of Peter and the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was the nephew of Barnabas (Col. 4:10) and a disciple of Jesus (Acts 12:12). Paul and Barnabas took him on the first missionary journey but he got homesick and left the party (Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13). Paul and Barnabas separated over Mark when they started on the second missionary journey (Acts 15:33-39). He later worked with Paul (Col. 4:10-11; 2Tim. 4:11; Phm. 1:24). He was not the actual son of Peter, but a son in the faith in the same way that Timothy and Titus were sons of Paul (1Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4).

‘Greet you one another with a kiss of charity’ this was the eastern greeting, as well as a way that the Christian believers greeted one another (5:14; Rom. 16:16; 1Cor. 16:20; 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thess. 5:26).

‘Peace be with you’ to have the peace of God one must be in Christ Jesus, that means to be in unity with Him and of one mind with His Word. We must permit the peace of God to garrison or keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ (Php. 4:7) without allowing the cares of this world to consume our hearts and minds. Men have peace societies, temples, and plans, but arm for war all the while. They killed the Prince of Peace (Acts 4:27) and ignore Him still, so they will have no peace until He comes to reign (Ps. 2:1-12; 1Thess. 5:3; 1Cor. 15:24-28). In John 14:27 we have the following reassurance of Christ: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” To maintain this peace we must not allow our hearts to be troubled (John 14:1) and not be afraid or fearful (2Tim. 1:7).