It is through Silvanus, who in my eyes is a faithful brother, that I have written you these few words to encourage you and to attest to you that it is indeed to the true grace of God that you are attached.
This epistle is precious in times of suffering because it reminds us that the people of God, a minority in our society and misunderstood in their life choices, are frequently stigmatized because they attach themselves primarily to Jesus. These delicate situations are ultimately an opportunity to demonstrate, as Jesus did, what the love of God is, to people who reject believers.