This chapter Revelation 2 comprises four of the seven epistles addressed to the seven churches; those addressed to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira. A particular view of the contents of the epistles will be more appropriate as they come separately to be considered, than in this place. There a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS The contents of the epistle to the church at Ephesus - the first addressed - are these: * The attribute of the Saviour referred to is, that he “holds the stars in his right hand, and walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks,” Revelation 2:1. (2)He comme... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - The common formula with which all the epistles to the seven churches are introduced. It is designed to impress upon them deeply the conviction that he was intimately acquainted with all that they did, good and bad, and that therefore he was abundantly qualified to dispense rewards... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAST BORNE - Hast borne up under trials; or hast borne with the evils with which you have been assailed. That is, you have not given way to murmuring or complaints in trial, you have not abandoned the principles of truth and yielded to the prevalence of error. AND HAST PATIENCE - That is, in th... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE - Notwithstanding this general commendation, there are things which I cannot approve. BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE - Thou hast “remitted” (ἀφῆκας aphēkas) or let down thy early love; that is, it is less glowing and ardent than it was at first. T... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ART FALLEN - The eminence which you once occupied. Call to remembrance the state in which you once were. The duty here enjoined is, when religion has declined in our hearts, or in the church, to call to distinct recollection the former state - the ardor, the zeal,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS THOU HAST - This thou hast that I approve of, or that I can commend. THAT THOU HATEST THE DEEDS OF THE NICOLAITANS - Greek, “works” (τὰ ἔργα ta erga). The word “Nicolaitanes” occurs only in this place, and in the Revelation 2:15 verse of this chapter. From the reference in the latter pla... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR ... - This expression occurs at the close of each of the epistles addressed to the seven churches, and is substantially a mode of address often employed by the Saviour in his personal ministry, and quite characteristic of him. See Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:23; Mark 7:16... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA WRITE - On the meaning of the word “angel,” see the notes on Revelation 1:20. THESE THINGS SAITH THE FIRST AND THE LAST - See the notes on Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17. WHICH WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE - See the notes on Revelation 1:18. The idea is, that h... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - The uniform method of introducing these epistles, implying a most intimate acquaintance with all that pertained to the church. See the notes on Revelation 2:2. AND TRIBULATION - This word is of a general signification, and probably includes all that they suffered in any form, whe... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NONE OF THOSE THINGS WHICH THOU SHALT SUFFER - He did not promise them exemption from suffering. He saw that they were about to suffer, and he specifies the manner in which their affliction would occur. But he entreats and commands them not to be afraid. They were to look to the “crown of life,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR ... - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. HE THAT OVERCOMETH - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. The particular promise here is made to him that should “overcome”; that is, that would gain the victory in the persecutions which were to come upon them. The reference is to him who woul... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. THESE THINGS SAITH HE WHICH HATH THE SHARP SWORD, ... - See the notes on Revelation 1:16. Compare Hebrews 4:12; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 49:2. Prof. Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, “... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - The uniform mode of addressing the seven churches in these epistles. See the notes on Revelation 2:2. AND WHERE THOU DWELLEST - That is, I know all the temptations to which you are exposed; all the allurements to sin by which you are surrounded; all the apologies which might be ma... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE - As against the church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:4. The charge against this church, however, is somewhat different from that against the church at Ephesus. The charge there was, that they had “left their first love”; but it is spoken in commendation of them that... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HAST THOU ALSO THEM ... - That is, there are those among you who hold those doctrines. The meaning here may be, either that, in addition to those who held the doctrine of Balaam, they had also another class who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes; or that the Nicolaitanes held the same doctrine... [ Continue Reading ]
REPENT - See Revelation 2:5. OR ELSE I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY - On the word “quickly,” see the notes on Revelation 1:1. The meaning here is, that he would come against them in judgment, or to punish them. AND WILL FIGHT AGAINST THEM - Against the Nicolaitanes. He would come against the church... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR ... - notes on Revelation 2:7. TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH - notes on Revelation 2:7. WILL I GIVE TO EAT OF THE HIDDEN MANNA - The true spiritual food; the food that nourishes the soul. The idea is, that the souls of those who “overcame,” or who gained the victory in their conflict w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. THESE THINGS SAITH THE SON OF GOD - This is the first time, in these epistles, that the name of the speaker is referred to. In each other instance there is merely some attribute of the Saviour mentioned. Perhaps the severity of the... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - See the notes on Revelation 2:2. He knew all they had done, good and bad. AND CHARITY - Love; love to God, and love to man. There is no reason for restricting this word here to the comparatively narrow sense which it now bears. Compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 13:1. AND SERVIC... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTWITHSTANDING, I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE - Compare notes on Revelation 2:4. BECAUSE THOU SUFFEREST THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL - Thou dost tolerate, or countenance her. Compare the notes on Revelation 2:14. Who the individual here referred to by the name Jezebel was, is not known. It is by no means... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I GAVE HER SPACE TO REPENT OF HER FORNICATION - Probably after some direct and solemn warning of the evil of her course. The error and sin had been of long standing, but he now resolved to bear with it no longer. It is true of almost every great sinner, that sufficient time is given for repentan... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL CAST HER INTO A BED - Not into a bed of ease, but a bed of pain. There is evidently a purpose to contrast this with her former condition. The harlot’s bed and a sick-bed are thus brought together, as they are often, in fact, in the dispensations of Providence and the righteous judgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN WITH DEATH - A strong Hebraistic mode of expression, meaning that he would certainly destroy them. It has been made a question whether the word “children” here is to be taken literally or figuratively. The word itself would admit of either interpretation; and there is no... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT UNTO YOU I SAY, AND UNTO THE REST IN THYATIRA - The word - “and” - καὶ kai - is omitted in many mss. and versions, and in the critical editions of Griesbach, Tittmann, and Hahn, and the connection demands that it should be omitted. As it stands in the received text, it would seem that what he h... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT WHICH YE HAVE ... - All that there is of truth and purity remaining among you, retain faithfully. Compare Revelation 3:11. TILL I COME - To receive you to myself, John 14:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT OVERCOMETH - notes on Revelation 2:7. AND KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END - The works that I command and that I require, to the end of his life. Compare John 13:1. TO HIM WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS - The evident meaning of what is said here, and in the next verse, is, that in acco... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON - There is an allusion here to Psalms 2:9; “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” There is a slight change in the passage, “he shall rule,” instead of “thou shalt break,” in order to adapt the langu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR - The “morning star” is that bright planet - Venus - which at some seasons of the year appears so beautifully in the east, leading on the morning - the harbinger of the day. It is one of the most beautiful objects in nature, and is susceptible of a great variety... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR ... - See the notes on Revelation 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]