Bible Commentaries
Revelation 3

Verse 1

unto = to.

angel . . . church. See Revelation 1:20 .

Sardis. The ancient capital of Lydia. Its commercial activity attracted merchants from all parts of Asia. The remains of a vast temple to Cybele (the "mother of the gods") still exist.

seven Spirits. See Revelation 1:4 .

God. App-98 .

seven, &c. See Revelation 1:20 .

stars. See Revelation 1:16 .

a name, &c. Not suited for this dispensation of grace, for Christ's people now live "in Him". We who were dead are now alive in Christ.

livest. See App-170 .

dead. App-139 .

Verse 2

Be = Become.

watchful. See Matthew 24:42 .

the . . . remain = the remaining (things). App-124 .

are = were, with the texts.

perfect. App-125 .

Verse 3

hold fast. Greek. tereo. Same as "keep" in Revelation 1:3 .

repent. See Revelation 2:5 .

on thee. The texts omit.

as, &c. See Revelation 16:15 . 1Th 5:2 . 2 Peter 3:10 .

know. App-132 . These words are not addressed to the members of the "church which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22 , Ephesians 1:23 ). See 2 Thessalonians 2:1 . 1 Timothy 3:16 . We do not "watch" for the "thief", but "wait" for the Lord.

Verse 4

Thou. The texts read "But thou".

even. The texts omit.

have, &c. = defiled not.

defiled. Greek. moluno. Only here; Rev 14:4 . 1 Corinthians 8:7 . The noun Occurs only in 2 Corinthians 7:1 .

garments. Greek. himation. First of seven occurances: (see App-197 ) in Rev.

worthy. See App-197 .

Verse 5

overcometh. See Revelation 2:7 .

the same. The texts read "thus".

blot out. Occurances: Revelation 7:17 ; Revelation 21:4 (wipe away). Acts 3:19 . Colossians 2:14 .

book, &c. See Philippians 4:3 .

life. App-170 .

but = and.

confess, &c. See Matthew 10:32 .

Father. App-98 .

Verse 6

He, &c. See Revelation 2:7 .

Verse 7

Philadelphia. About thirty miles south-east of Sardis. Very little known of it beyond a few references in Pliny, but the Greek name indicates a Macedonian population.

Holy = The Holy One. See Revelation 4:8 . Compare Hosea 11:9 , &c. The Greek hagios occurs twenty-six times in Rev. See App-197 .

True. App-175 .

key of David. See Isaiah 22:22 .

no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.

Verse 8

behold. App-133 .

set = given.

strength App-172 .1; Rev 176:1 .

hast kept = didst keep. Same word as "hold fast", Revelation 3:3 .

word App-121 .

hast not denied = didst not deny.

My name. In opposition to confessing (See Revelation 2:13 ) the name of the beast, Revelation 13:17 ; Revelation 14:9 , Revelation 14:11 , Revelation 14:12 .

Verse 9

will make = give.

synagogue, &c. See Revelation 2:9 .

Satan. App-19 , and See Revelation 2:9 .

Jews. See Revelation 2:9 .

make. i.e. compel.

worship. Greek. proskuneo. App-137 . Occurs twenty-four times ( App-10 ) in Rev. Twelve times connected with worship of God, eleven times with worship of Satan and the beast, and here.

have. Omit.

loved. App-135 .

Verse 10

temptation = trial. Greek. peirasmos. Only occurrence in Rev.

shall = is about to.

world. App-129 .

try = test. Greek. peirazo. Here, and Revelation 2:2 , Revelation 2:10 .

earth. App-129 . Compare Zephaniah 1:14-18 .

Verse 11

Behold. Omit.

hold . . . fast. Same Greek. word as Revelation 2:1 , Revelation 2:13 , Revelation 2:14 , Revelation 2:15 , Revelation 2:25 , not as Revelation 3:3 .

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

no rnan = no one. Greek. medeis. These words do not relate to such as through grace are perfect "in Him". See Romans 8:38 , Romans 8:39 .

Verse 12

Temple = sanctuary. Greek. naos . See Matthew 23:16 and App-88 .

upon. App-104 .

new Jerusalem. See Revelation 21:2 , Revelation 21:3 , Revelation 21:10 . Compare Psalms 48:1 , Psalms 48:2 , Psalms 48:8 , Psalms 48:9 . Ezekiel 48:35 . See App-88 and App-197 .4.

new, new. Greek. kainos. See Matthew 9:17 .

heaven. See Matthew 6:9 . Occurs fifty-two times in Rev., always in sing, save Revelation 12:12 .

new name. See Revelation 14:1 ; Revelation 22:4 .Isaiah 62:2 ; Isaiah 65:15 . Contrast the name branded on the worshippers of the beast, Revelation 13:16 ; Revelation 14:11 ; Revelation 19:20 ; Revelation 20:4 .

Verse 14

of, &c. = in (Greek. en) Laodicea (an important city of Phrygia, a few miles west of Colosse. Rebuilt by Antiochus II, and named after his wife, Laodice).

the Amen. A Hebrew word transliterated. See 2 Corinthians 1:20 and p. 1511.

faithful. App-150 .

Witness. See p. 1511.

beginning. App-172 . Compare 1 Chronicles 1:15-19; 1 Chronicles 1:15-19 .

Verse 16

lukewarm. Greek. chliaros. Only here.

will = am about to.

spue. Greek. emeo. Only here. Occurs: Isaiah 19:14 (Septuagint)

Verse 17

nothing. Greek. oudeis.

knowest. App-132 .

wretched = the wretched one. See Romans 7:24 , and compare Hosea 2:11 ; Hosea 5:15 .

poor. App-127 .

Verse 18

buy. The members of the church of this dispensation have nothing to buy and nothing to pay with; our salvation is the free-grace gift of God.

the. Omit.

fire. Compare Haggai 2:8 . Zechariah 13:9 . Malachi 3:3 .

be clothed = clothe thyself.

do not appear = be not ( App-105 ) made manifest ( App-106 ). Compare Revelation 16:15 .

see. App-133 .

Verse 19

love. App-135 . This is preceded by Greek. ean ( App-118 . a). Compare Isaiah 43:4 ; &c.

rebuke = convict. Greek. elencho. See John 16:8 .

Verse 20

stand. Literally have taken my station.

knock. The call to the wedding feast (Revelation 19:9 ), to which the parables pointed, e.g. Luke 12:35-38 "when He cometh and knocketh". The popular belief that the Lord is ever knocking at the hearts of sinners is a distortion of Scripture akin to blasphemy.

any man. App-123 .

sup, &c. A gracious promise to His servants (See Revelation 1:1 ). See Luke 12:37 .

Verse 21

am set down = sat down. See Acts 2:33 , Acts 2:34 .Ephesians 1:20 , Ephesians 1:21 .Hebrews 1:8 ; Hebrews 8:1 . The Lord now stands (Revelation 1:0 ), and is about to come down in judgment.