1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
1 And G2532 unto the angel G32 of the church G1577 in G1722 Sardis G4554 write; G1125 These things G3592 saith G3004 he that hath G2192 the seven G2033 Spirits G4151 of God, G2316 and G2532 the seven G2033 stars; G792 I know G1492 thy G4675 works, G2041 that G3754 thou hast G2192 a name G3686 that G3754 thou livest, G2198 and G2532 art G1488 dead. G3498
2 Be G1096 watchful, G1127 and G2532 strengthen G4741 the things which remain, G3062 that G3739 are G3195 ready to die: G599 for G1063 I have G2147 not G3756 found G2147 thy G4675 works G2041 perfect G4137 before G1799 God. G2316
3 Remember G3421 therefore G3767 how G4459 thou hast received G2983 and G2532 heard, G191 and G2532 hold fast, G5083 and G2532 repent. G3340 If G3362 therefore G3767 thou shalt G1127 not G3362 watch, G1127 I will come G2240 on G1909 thee G4571 as G5613 a thief, G2812 and G2532 thou shalt G1097 not G3364 know G1097 what G4169 hour G5610 I will come G2240 upon G1909 thee. G4571
4 Thou hast G2192 a few G3641 names G3686 even G2532 in G1722 Sardis G4554 which G3739 have G3435 not G3756 defiled G3435 their G846 garments; G2440 and G2532 they shall walk G4043 with G3326 me G1700 in G1722 white: G3022 for G3754 they are G1526 worthy. G514
5 He that overcometh, G3528 the same G3778 shall be clothed G4016 in G1722 white G3022 raiment; G2440 and G2532 I will G1813 not G3364 blot out G1813 his G846 name G3686 out of G1537 the book G976 of life, G2222 but G2532 I will confess G1843 his G846 name G3686 before G1799 my G3450 Father, G3962 and G2532 before G1799 his G846 angels. G32
6 He that hath G2192 an ear, G3775 let him hear G191 what G5101 the Spirit G4151 saith G3004 unto the churches. G1577
7 And G2532 to the angel G32 of the church G1577 in G1722 Philadelphia G5359 write; G1125 These things G3592 saith G3004 he that is holy, G40 he that is true, G228 he that hath G2192 the key G2807 of David, G1138 he that openeth, G455 and G2532 no man G3762 shutteth; G2808 and G2532 shutteth, G2808 and G2532 no man G3762 openeth; G455
8 I know G1492 thy G4675 works: G2041 behold, G2400 I have set G1325 before G1799 thee G4675 an open G455 door, G2374 and G2532 no man G3762 can G1410 shut G2808 it: G846 for G3754 thou hast G2192 a little G3398 strength, G1411 and G2532 hast kept G5083 my G3450 word, G3056 and G2532 hast G720 not G3756 denied G720 my G3450 name. G3686
9 Behold, G2400 I will make G1325 them of G1537 the synagogue G4864 of Satan, G4567 which G3588 say G3004 they G1438 are G1511 Jews, G2453 and G2532 are G1526 not, G3756 but G235 do lie; G5574 behold, G2400 I will make G4160 them G846 to G2443 come G2240 and G2532 worship G4352 before G1799 thy G4675 feet, G4228 and G2532 to know G1097 that G3754 I G1473 have loved G25 thee. G4571
10 Because G3754 thou hast kept G5083 the word G3056 of my G3450 patience, G5281 I also G2504 will keep G5083 thee G4571 from G1537 the hour G5610 of temptation, G3986 which G3588 shall come G3195 G2064 upon G1909 all G3650 the world, G3625 to try G3985 them that dwell G2730 upon G1909 the earth. G1093
11 Behold, G2400 I come G2064 quickly: G5035 hold that fast G2902 which G3739 thou hast, G2192 that G2443 no man G3367 take G2983 thy G4675 crown. G4735
12 Him G846 that overcometh G3528 will I make G4160 a pillar G4769 in G1722 the temple G3485 of my G3450 God, G2316 and G2532 he shall go G1831 no G3364 more G2089 out: G1854 and G2532 I will write G1125 upon G1909 him G846 the name G3686 of my G3450 God, G2316 and G2532 the name G3686 of the city G4172 of my G3450 God, G2316 which is G3588 new G2537 Jerusalem, G2419 which G3588 cometh down G2597 G2597 out of G1537 heaven G3772 from G575 my G3450 God: G2316 and G2532 I will write upon him my G3450 new G2537 name. G3686
13 He that hath G2192 an ear, G3775 let him hear G191 what G5101 the Spirit G4151 saith G3004 unto the churches. G1577
14 And G2532 unto the angel G32 of the church G1577 of the Laodiceans G2994 write; G1125 These things G3592 saith G3004 the Amen, G281 the faithful G4103 and G2532 true G228 witness, G3144 the beginning G746 of the creation G2937 of God; G2316
15 I know G1492 thy G4675 works, G2041 that G3754 thou art G1488 neither G3777 cold G5593 nor G3777 hot: G2200 I would G3785 thou wert G1498 cold G5593 or G2228 hot. G2200
16 So G3779 then because G3754 thou art G1488 lukewarm, G5513 and G2532 neither G3777 cold G5593 nor G3777 hot, G2200 I will G3195 spue G1692 thee G4571 out of G1537 my G3450 mouth. G4750
17 Because G3754 thou sayest, G3004 G3754 I am G1510 rich, G4145 and G2532 increased with goods, G4147 and G2532 have G2192 need G5532 of nothing; G3762 and G2532 knowest G1492 not G3756 that G3754 thou G4771 art G1488 wretched, G5005 and G2532 miserable, G1652 and G2532 poor, G4434 and G2532 blind, G5185 and G2532 naked: G1131
18 I counsel G4823 thee G4671 to buy G59 of G3844 me G1700 gold G5553 tried G4448 in G1537 the fire, G4442 that G2443 thou mayest be rich; G4147 and G2532 white G3022 raiment, G2440 that G2443 thou mayest be clothed, G4016 and G2532 that the shame G152 of thy G4675 nakedness G1132 do G5319 not G3361 appear; G5319 and G2532 anoint G1472 thine G4675 eyes G3788 with eyesalve, G2854 that G2443 thou mayest see. G991
19 As many as G3745 G1437 I love, G5368 I G1473 rebuke G1651 and G2532 chasten: G3811 be zealous G2206 therefore, G3767 and G2532 repent. G3340
20 Behold, G2400 I stand G2476 at G1909 the door, G2374 and G2532 knock: G2925 if G1437 any man G5100 hear G191 my G3450 voice, G5456 and G2532 open G455 the door, G2374 I will come in G1525 to G4314 him, G846 and G2532 will sup G1172 with G3326 him, G846 and G2532 he G846 with G3326 me. G1700
21 To him G846 that overcometh G3528 will I grant G1325 to sit G2523 with G3326 me G1700 in G1722 my G3450 throne, G2362 even G2504 as G5613 I also G2504 overcame, G3528 and G2532 am set down G2523 with G3326 my G3450 Father G3962 in G1722 his G846 throne. G2362
22 He that hath G2192 an ear, G3775 let him hear G191 what G5101 the Spirit G4151 saith G3004 unto the churches. G1577
1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.
2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep `it', and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.
9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that `hour' which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and `that' the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
1 And to the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write: These things saith he who is having the Seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I have known thy works, and that thou hast the name that thou dost live, and thou art dead;
2 become watching, and strengthen the rest of the things that are about to die, for I have not found thy works fulfilled before God.
3 `Remember, then, how thou hast received, and heard, and be keeping, and reform: if, then, thou mayest not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou mayest not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis who did not defile their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy.
5 He who is overcoming -- this one -- shall be arrayed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the scroll of the life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before His messengers.
6 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies.
7 `And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things saith he who is holy, he who is true, he who is having the key of David, he who is opening and no one doth shut, and he shutteth and no one doth open!
8 I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a door -- opened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name;
9 lo, I make of the synagogue of the Adversary those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but do lie; lo, I will make them that they may come and bow before thy feet, and may know that I loved thee.
10 `Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.
11 Lo, I come quickly, be holding fast that which thou hast, that no one may receive thy crown.
12 He who is overcoming -- I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and without he may not go any more, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that doth come down out of the heaven from my God -- also my new name.
13 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies.
14 `And to the messenger of the assembly of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the witness -- the faithful and true -- the chief of the creation of God;
15 I have known thy works, that neither cold art thou nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So -- because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth;
17 because thou sayest -- I am rich, and have grown rich, and have need of nothing, and hast not known that thou art the wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,
18 I counsel thee to buy from me gold fired by fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white garments that thou mayest be arrayed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not be manifest, and with eye-salve anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
19 `As many as I love, I do convict and chasten; be zealous, then, and reform;
20 lo, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if any one may hear my voice, and may open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 He who is overcoming -- I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also did overcome and did sit down with my Father in His throne.
22 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies.'
1 And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: These things saith he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die, for I have not found thy works complete before my God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and keep [it] and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come [upon thee] as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I shall come upon thee.
4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy.
5 He that overcomes, *he* shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, and will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
6 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7 And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things saith the holy, the true; he that has the key of David, he who opens and no one shall shut, and shuts and no one shall open:
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an opened door, which no one can shut, because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I make them of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie; behold, I will cause that they shall come and shall do homage before thy feet, and shall know that *I* have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, *I* also will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 I come quickly: hold fast what thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
12 He that overcomes, him will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more at all out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven, from my God, and my new name.
13 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14 And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and am grown rich, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that *thou* art the wretched and the miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
19 I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.
21 He that overcomes, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne; as *I* also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
1 "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won't watch, I will come as a thief, and you won't know what hour I will come upon you.
4 Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 "I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name.
9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14 "To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."
1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis say: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I have knowledge of your works, that you seem to be living but are dead.
2 Be on the watch, and make strong the rest of the things which are near to death; because as judged by me your works have not come up to God's measure.
3 Keep in mind, then, the teaching which was given to you, and be ruled by it and have a change of heart. If then you do not keep watch, I will come like a thief, and you will have no knowledge of the hour when I will come on you.
4 But you have some names in Sardis who have kept clean their robes; and as a reward they will go in white with me.
5 He who overcomes will be dressed in white, and I will not take his name from the book of life, and I will give witness to his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia say: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, opening the door so that it may be shut by no one, and shutting it so that it may be open to no one.
8 I have knowledge of your works (see, I have put before you an open door which may be shut by no one), and that you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have been true to my name.
9 See, I will make those of the Synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and are not, but say what is false; I will make them come and give worship before your feet, and see my love for you.
10 Because you have kept my word in quiet strength, I will keep you from the hour of testing which is coming on all the world, to put to the test those who are on earth.
11 I come quickly: keep that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.
12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
13 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.
14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea say: These things says the true and certain witness, the head of God's new order:
15 I have knowledge of your works, that you are not cold or warm: it would be better if you were cold or warm.
16 So because you are not one thing or the other, I will have no more to do with you.
17 For you say, I have wealth, and have got together goods and land, and have need of nothing; and you are not conscious of your sad and unhappy condition, that you are poor and blind and without clothing.
18 If you are wise you will get from me gold tested by fire, so that you may have true wealth; and white robes to put on, so that your shame may not be seen; and oil for your eyes, so that you may see.
19 To all those who are dear to me, I give sharp words and punishment: then with all your heart have sorrow for your evil ways.
20 See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me.
21 To him who overcomes I will give a place with me on my high seat, even as I overcame, and am seated with my Father on his high seat.
22 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 3
Commentary on Revelation 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
Here we have three more of the epistles of Christ to the churches:
Rev 3:1-6
Here is,
Rev 3:7-13
We have now come to the sixth letter, sent to one of the Asian churches, where observe,
Rev 3:14-22
We now come to the last and worst of all the seven Asian churches, the reverse of the church of Philadelphia; for, as there was nothing reproved in that, here is nothing commended in this, and yet this was one of the seven golden candlesticks, for a corrupt church may still be a church. Here we have, as before,