Ephesus. Ephesus was built near the sea, in the valley of the Cayster, under the shadows of Coressus and Prion. In the time of Paul it was the metropolis of the province of Asia. It was styled by Pliny the Light of Asia. Its harbor, though partly filled up, was crowded with vessels, and it lay at th... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy works [τ α ε ρ γ α σ ο υ]. See on John 4:47. Labor [κ ο π ο ν]. Originally suffering, weariness; hence exhausting labor. The kindred verb kopiaw is often used of apostolic and ministerial labor (Romans 16:12; 1 Corinthians 14:10; Galatians 4:11). Patience [υ π ο μ ο ν η ν]. See on 2 Peter 1:6;... [ Continue Reading ]
The best texts omit ouj kekmhkav hast not grown weary, and read kai ouj kekopiakev hast not grown weary. The transcribers supposed the verb kopiaw to mean only to labor; whereas it includes the sense of weariness from labor.... [ Continue Reading ]
Somewhat. Not in the text, and unnecessary. The following clause is the object of I have. "I have against thee that thou hast left," etc. "It is indeed a somewhat which the Lord has against the Ephesian Church; it threatens to grow to be an everything; for see the verse following" (Trench). For the... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou art fallen [ε κ π ε π τ ω κ α ς] Lit., hast fallen out. Repent [μ ε τ α ν ο η σ ο ν]. See on Matthew 3:2; Matthew 21:29. l will come [ε ρ χ ο μ α ι]. Rev., correctly, I come. Quickly. Omit. Will remove thy candlestick. "Its candlestick has been for centuries removed out of his place; the squ... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath an ear, etc. Compare Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9. The phrase is not found in John's Gospel. It is used always of radical truths, great principles and promises. To him that overcometh [τ ω ν ι κ ω ν τ ι] A formula common to all these Epistles. The verb is used absolutely without any object... [ Continue Reading ]
Smyrna. Lying a little north of Ephesus, on a gulf of the same name. The original city was destroyed about B. C. 627, and was deserted and in ruins for four hundred years. Alexander the Great contemplated its restoration, and his design was carried out after his death. The new city was built a short... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy works and. Omit. Tribulation [θ λ ι ψ ι ν]. See on Matthew 13:21. Referring to the persecutions of Jewish and heathen oppressors. See on Smyrna, verse 8. Poverty [π τ ω χ ε ι α ν]. Because, like all the other early Christian churches, the majority of its members were of the poorer classes, and a... [ Continue Reading ]
Fear not [υ η δ ε ν φ ο β ο υ]. Lit., fear nothing. For the verb, see on Luke 1:50. Behold [ι δ ο υ δ η]. The particle dh for certain, which is not rendered, gives a quality of assurance to the prediction. The Devil [δ ι α β ο λ ο ς]. See on Matthew 4:1. The persecution of the Christians is thus t... [ Continue Reading ]
Be hurt [α δ ι κ η θ η]. Strictly, wronged. Second death. An expression peculiar to the Revelation. See Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8. In those two passages it is defined as the lake of fire. The death awaiting the wicked after judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Pergamos. The proper form of the name is Pergamum. It was situated in Teuthrania in Mysia, in a district watered by three rivers, by one of which it communicated with the sea. The original city was built on a lofty hill, which afterward became the citadel as houses sprang up around its base. The loc... [ Continue Reading ]
Dwellest [κ α τ ο ι κ ε ι ς]. See on Luke 11:26; Acts 2:5. Seat [θ ρ ο ν ο ς]. Rev., rightly, throne, which is a transcript of the Greek word. Better than seat, because it is intended to represent Satan as exercising dominion there. The word is used in the New Testament of a kingly throne (Luke 1:32... [ Continue Reading ]
Doctrine [δ ι δ α χ η ν]. Rev., better, teaching. Balaam. See Numbers 25:1-9; Numbers 31:15; Numbers 31:16. Compare 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11. A stumbling - block [σ κ α ν δ α λ ο ν]. See on offend, Matthew 5:29, and offense, Matthew 16:23. Before [ε ν ω π ι ο ν]. Lit., in the sight of. See on Luke 2... [ Continue Reading ]
So. Even as Balak had Balaam for a false teacher, so hast thou the Nicolaitan teachers. Nicolaitans. See on verse 6. Which thing I hate. Omit.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will make war [π ο λ ε μ η σ ω]. The words war and make war occur oftener in Revelation than in any other book of the New Testament. "An eternal roll of thunder from the throne" (Renan).... [ Continue Reading ]
To eat. Omit. Of the hidden manna [τ ο υ μ α ν ν α τ ο υ κ ε κ ρ υ μ μ ε ν ο υ]. The allusion may be partly to the pot of manna which was laid up in the ark in the sanctuary. See Exodus 16:32-34; compare Hebrews 9:4. That the imagery of the ark was familiar to John appears from chapter Revelation 1... [ Continue Reading ]