Verse 1.
To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands…”
These things say [the One] …” This expression occurs eight times in the NT, seven of which are in Rev 2-3. “The pronoun is used to add solemnity to the prophetic utterance that follows. The NT use derives from the OT, where it was used to introduce a prophetic utterance. Thus, the translation “this is the solemn pronouncement of” is very much in keeping with the OT connotations of this expression. The LXX has the same Greek phrase about 350 times, with nearly 320 of them having “the Lord” (Heb Yahweh) as subject. That the author of Revelation would use such an expression seven times with the risen Christ as the speaker alludes to Christ’s sovereignty and deity and also that. He is YHWH. See also Acts 21:11 in which the Holy Spirit is the speaker of this expression.
“Holds” conveys the idea of firmness in the Greek. He holds us firmly.
TPT. “Ephesus” means “desirable or darling.” Jesus calls every believer “darling” because he/she is His bride. Jesus considers church leaders “stars” who He holds firmly and securely in His right hand of power and authority. He cares for His churches and its leaders.
Verse 2.
“I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not) and have discovered that they are false.”
Verse 3.
“I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.”
Verse 4.
“But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love!”
The Greek word translated “departed from” can be used of divorce, so the imagery is very strong.
TPT. The Greek word used for “first” means “foremost, best, paramount, supreme, crowning, number 1.” Jesus means exclusive love in our hearts for Him which is above all else. Our first love is the love that God has for us. We love God because He first loved us. Being loved deeply and eternally is the definition of first love. Our first love back is that Jesus is number 1.
Verse 5.
“Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent.”
“High state” is “status.”
The repeated mention of repenting at the end of the verse suggests that the intervening material (“do the deeds you did at first”) specifies how the repentance is to be demonstrated.
TPT. The Greek word for “repent” is metanoia” and it means to “take another mind.” We need to turn from our error, sin, and old way of thinking and take on the mind of Christ.
Return to the passion for me that motivated you in the beginning.
It’s “place of influence.”
Remember the status you had with me, then repent to get back there, repent to get back there, repent to get back there.
Verse 6.
“But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice —practices I also hate.”
“But you do have this.” The words “going for you” are supplied to complete the English idiom. It could be “but you have this in your favor” (NIV) or “but you have this to your credit” (NRSV).
One view is that the Nicolaitans were a sect that taught that Christians could engage in sexually immoral behavior. Irenaeus associated the sect with Nicolaus, of Acts 6:5, but there is no proof that the Nicolaus of Acts 6:5 started this sect. Another view of who the Nicolaitans are derived from the Greek meaning of the name. It means to “rule over the people” or “to conquer the people.” In the beginning every believer was a priest. There was a movement of a special class of people who were the clergy. I suspect this is the true meaning and origin. The Aramaic verse could be translated: “You despise the performing of rituals, which I also despise.”
Verse 7.
The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.
Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.” “Permit him” or “grant him.”
The message to these seven churches is for everyone today, not just for a specific church or for a specific period of church history.
He who “subdues, prevails, experiences victory, or vanquishes.”
TPT. The paradise of God is now found in the hearts of Jesus’ loving followers. See Song of Songs 4: 11-15. Christ is the Tree of Life and He is within us. He is the hope of glory within us. The fruit of that tree is reserved for those who overcome.
Verse 8.
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life.”
The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.
Smyrna is present-day Izmir, Turkey. Smyrna means “sweet-smelling”, and it comes from the word “myrrh,” and embalming spice. It is seen as an emblem for suffering. Like Myrrh, the Smyrna Church was persecuted by the Roman authorities, but it gave off a sweet-smelling aroma – a fragrant perfume.
Jesus writes to the Church at Smyrna as the One who overcame death for us. Jesus overcame death for me. See He. 2:14.
Verse 9.
“I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not but are a synagogue of Satan.”
Or “I know you suffering.” This could be the result of persecution by the Romans. See 2 Cor. 8:9 for true riches.
They are serving Satan’s purposes. Satan means adversary. Are these Judaizers? They wanted to impose Jewish rules on new converts. See Ro. 2: 28-29; Acts 15; Phil. 3: 2-3.
Verse 10.
“Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.”
Tested is to be tempted. Or “experience persecution,” or “will be in distress.” The “crown of life” or the “crown that consists of life.”
TPT. Devil means “slanderer or accuser.” The Aramaic can be translated “torture house.” Why? To test their faith.
A great persecution did in fact occur in Smyrna which took the life of Polycarp, a disciple of John. Others identify 10 Imperial persecutions which were severe.
Or “the victor’s crown, which is life.” This is a symbol of ruling and reigning in the power of divine life. See James 1:12.
Verse 11.
“The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.”
He who is victorious or who overcomes shall not be harmed by the second death.
“He who has ears to ear, let him hear” is like “He whose heart is open, let him hear.”
To avoid the second death is the greatest objective. See Rev. 21:8.
Verse 12.
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following:
“This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword.”
Pergamum was the center of Roman Emperor worship. Absolute allegiance to the god-like Emperor was demanded at the pain of torture and death. Additionally, on a cliff overlooking the city was a throne-like statute of the god Zeus.
The “sharp, doubled-edged sword” is a symbol for the Word of God. The Word is not meant to hurt or destroy the church. Rather, it is meant to pierce and circumcise our hearts. That’s what obedience to the Word will do – circumcise our hearts. The Word (sword) has two edges: one to correct; the other to bless and circumcise.
Verse 13.
‘I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name, and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives.”
Church tradition holds that Antipas was a disciple of John and that John ordained him as bishop of Pergamum during the reign of Domitian. He was martyred in AD 92 when he would not deny his faith in Jesus and would not offer sacrifice to the Emperor or to the Roman gods. Antipas was dragged to the Temple of Diana and placed inside a bronze, bull-like altar and roasted alive. Tradition from the Eastern Church holds that Antipas was one of the 70 who Jesus sent out.
Verse 14.
“But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.”
A “stumbling block” is a cause for sinning. An alternate translation is “who instructed Balak to cause the people of Israel to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols…”
Due to the actual events in the OT (Num 22-24; 31:16), there was “sexual immorality “or engaging in illicit sex, fornication. Rev 2:14, 20.”
Verse 15.
In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
“Teaching of the Nicolaitans. Sexual immorality. Could be the beginning of an official class of ministers who lord it over the people and it could also be the beginning of ritualistic Christianity.
Verse 16.
“Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth.”
Verse 17.
“The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.”
Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”
“White.” Or “bright” or “shining.” The Greek term can refer either to the color white (traditional here) or to an object that is bright or shining, from itself (a glowing stone that shines brightly from within). Every believer is a living stone. I Peter 2:5.
Some scholars believe that “white stone” indicates a vote of acquittal in court. Others have suggested that it represents a ticket to the gladiatorial games, that is to say, to martyrdom. Others say that this is something to be prized and a type of reward for those who have ‘won the victory.’”
TPT on “hidden manna.” Hidden manna is the glorious relationship we have with Christ. Christ in us, the hope of glory. We feed on Him, receive encouragement and wisdom from Him. See Col. 1: 26-27; Ex. 16:4, 31-34. There was hidden manna in the Ark of the Covenant and there is manna within the heart of the overcomer.
There are secrets that Jesus shares with His lovers that remain between Jesus and His lovers. It’s only with a certain level of love and intimacy and devotion that we can know the special name and the meaning of the white stone.
Verse 18.
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished bronze.”
There are two meanings proposed for the word Thyatira. One, it is derived from two Greek words meaning “sacrifice” and “that which goes on continually.” Thus, Thyatira could mean “a continual sacrifice.” But Jesus makes a “once for all” sacrifice which is sufficient for all our needs. If true, this meaning would say that the church offers a continual sacrifice. Others believe it means “the odor of affliction.”
Brass, forge in flames, is an emblem of judgment.
Verse 20.
“But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.”
Jezebel was the name of King Ahab’s idolatrous and wicked queen in 1 Kgs 16:31; 18:1-5; 19:1-3; 21:5-24. The individual named here is analogous to her prototype in idolatry and immoral behavior.
“teaches and deceives,” a construction in which the first verb appears to specify the means by which the second is accomplished: “by her teaching, she deceives…” See Acts 15:29.
Jezebel is a symbol of compromise and tolerance of sin which teaches that God’s servants can sin and not experience negative consequences.
Verse 21.
“I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality.”
Verse 22.
“Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds.”
Onto a bed here is an idiom for severe illness. Or “into great distress.” The suffering here is not specified as physical or emotional and could involve persecution.
Thyatira was known for its many trade unions which required its members to participate in idolatry, often involving sexual immorality. This would make it harder for believers to remain morally pure.
Verse 23.
“Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve.”
Followers can be disciples. “Minds and hearts.” Every affection of my mind and my heart.
AMPC. “And I will strike her children (her proper followers) dead [thoroughly exterminating them]. And all the assemblies (churches) shall recognize and understand that I am He Who searches minds (the thoughts, feelings, and purposes) and the [inmost] hearts, and I will give to each of you [the reward for what you have done] as your work deserves.”
ESV. “And I will strike her children dead.”
LEB. “And I will kill her children with deadly disease.”
Verse 24.
“But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching (who have not learned the so-called “deep secrets of Satan”), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you.”
Verse 25.
“However, hold on to what you have until I come.”
Verse 26.
“And to the one who conquers and who continues in my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations.”
The one who is victorious or who overcomes. “Keeps my works” speaks of “holding on to what you have,” the idea is one of continued faithful behavior.
Verse 27.
“He will rule them with an iron rod
and like clay jars he will break them to pieces.”
A quotation from Ps 2:9 (with the line introducing the quotation containing a partial allusion to Ps 2:8). See also Rev 12:5; 19:15.
Verse 28.
“Just as I have received the right to rule from my Father—and I will give him the morning star.”
What has been received must be supplied from the context. In the light of the two immediately preceding verses about rulership or dominion, it seems that the implied direct object is “the right to rule,” although many modern translations supply the word “authority” here (so NAB, NRSV, NLT).
“Morningstar” see Dan. 12:3; I Peter 1:19; Rev. 22:16.
Verse 29.
“The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”