Revelation 2:1-7

The Letter to the Church at Ephesus.

Revelation 2:1. Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Revelation 1:4 *). The worship of Artemis, for which it was notorious, is referred to in Acts 19, which also gives an account of Paul's three years-' work in the city. Paul's speech to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:18) throws no little light on the character of the church. The Epistle to the Ephesians is probably a circular letter, but there can be little doubt that Ephesus was one of its recipients. Tradition connects the Apostle John with Ephesus, and probably the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Epistles reflect the influence of his teaching. he that holdeth: this description of Christ is borrowed from Revelation 1:6. It should be noted that each epistle contains a different description, taken mostly from the same source.

Revelation 2:2. I know thy works: this phrase occurs in five of the seven letters. The Ephesians are praised (a) for their labour and patient endurance, (b) for their power of discrimination, which enabled them to reject false prophets and apostles (1 Thessalonians 5:20 *).

Revelation 2:4. The charge against the church is that their love has grown lukewarm. Whether the writer is specifically referring to love to God or love to the church is uncertain. Probably both ideas are included.

Revelation 2:5. remove thy candlestick: i.e. take away that which makes you a true church.

Revelation 2:6. the works of the Nicolaitans: cf. Revelation 2:15. We have no definite information with regard to the founder or the views of this particular sect. The most probable theory is that they were antinomians, and pushed their conception of Christian liberty to extremes. Their motto seems to have been, Only believe and then you can do what you like.

Revelation 2:7. To him that overcometh: this phrase occurs in each letter. It is significant that while the writer has many descriptions of Christ, he has only one name for the Christian, the overcomer. tree of life: see Revelation 22:2 *.