Revelation2
New King James Version
1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
8“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
12“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
18“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
23I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
25But hold fast what you have till I come.
26And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
27‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;
28and I will give him the morning star.
29“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Epistles to the churches in Asia, with warnings and encouragements, To the church at Ephesus; (1–7). at Smyrna; (8–11). at Pergamos; (12–17). and at Thyatira. (18–29).
vv1-7
These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want. The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty. Christ keeps an account of every hour's work his servants do for him, and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience. And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared. Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Saviour considers this indifference as sinful. They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavour to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God. If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of his displeasure. Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference as to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward. All who persevere, shall derive from Christ, as the Tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly. This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven; and the looking forward to them in this world, by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit. Believers, take your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
vv8-11
Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him were all things made; he was before all things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge of all. As this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's Brother and Friend, he must be rich in the deepest poverty, honourable amidst the lowest abasement, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church of Smyrna. Many who are rich as to this world, are poor as to the next; and some who are poor outwardly, are inwardly rich; rich in faith, in good works, rich in privileges, rich in gifts, rich in hope. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty may be well borne; and when God's people are made poor as to this life, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them in spiritual riches. Christ arms against coming troubles. Fear none of these things; not only forbid slavish fear, but subdue it, furnishing the soul with strength and courage. It should be to try them, not to destroy them. Observe, the sureness of the reward; “I will give thee:” they shall have the reward from Christ's own hand. Also, how suitable it is; “a crown of life:” the life worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with a much better life, which shall be eternal. The second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in the agonies of it, and as it is eternal death: it is indeed awful to die, and to be always dying. If a man is kept from the second death and wrath to come, he may patiently endure whatever he meets with in this world.
vv12-17
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their stedfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew. Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support. This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.
Key Words
ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Ἐφεσῖνος (Ephesînos): Ephesine, or situated at Ephesus
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅδε (hóde): the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
κρατέω (kratéō): to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
ἑπτά (heptá): seven
ἀστήρ (astḗr): a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Cross References
Revelation 2Directly quoted concerning ruling the nations with a rod of iron and breaking potter's vessels.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the seven stars and seven golden candlesticks in Christ's hands.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Repeats Christ's title as 'the first and the last' from the opening vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats the vision of the sharp two-edged sword proceeding from Christ's mouth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical account of Israel committing fornication and eating sacrifices to idols through Balaam's counsel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical Jezebel who introduced idolatry and led Israel into spiritual adultery.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the trial and exposure of false apostles who are found to be liars.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The final fulfillment of eating from the tree of life in God's paradise.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illuminates those who 'say they are Jews, and are not' by defining true circumcision.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the 'synagogue of Satan' who falsely claim to be Jews.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicitly defines the 'second death' as having no power over the holy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The exact Old Testament source for searching the reins and the heart to give according to works.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's prophecy to Ephesian elders warning that grievous wolves would enter.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the condemnation of casting off or leaving one's first faith and love.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the warning of removing the candlestick by removing God's kingdom from unfaithful caretakers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament parallel defining the way and error of Balaam.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Apostolic instructions regarding the eating of things offered to idols.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels hating the deeds of the wicked with holy hatred.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast of physical poverty with being rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic parallel of the 'day star' arising in the hearts of believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB