Revelation 3:7 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia - See the notes on Revelation 1:20.These things saith he that is holy - This refers undoubtedly to the Lord Jesus. The appellation holy, or the holy one, is one that befits him, and is not infrequently given to him in the New Testament, Luke 1:35; Acts 2:27; Acts 3:14. It is not only an appellation appropriate to the Saviour, but well adapted to be employed when he is addressing the churches. Our impression of what is said to us will often depend... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:7-8

Revelation 3:7-8. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write “Philadelphia, so called from Attalus Philadelphus, its builder, is distant from Sardis about twenty-seven miles to the south-east. It is called by the Turks Alah Shahr, or the beautiful city, on account of its delightful situation, standing on the declivity of the mountain Tmolus, and having a most pleasant prospect on the plains beneath, well furnished with divers villages, and watered by the river Pactolus. It still... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that receive no blame from the Lord, but only praise and encouragement. Yet Smyrna was poor and Philadelphia was small. Also, both churches received their opposition from the Jews.He who carries the key of David has the authority to allow people into or shut them out from the city of David, which here is symbolic of the new Jerusalem, the kingdom of Jesus Christ (7; cf. v. 12). The Jews claimed they were the people of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 3:7

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. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write.PHILADELPHIAThe very name Philadelphia arouses our interest, as one of the great modern cities of the United States bears the same title. "Here is the seventh and last occurrence of this word in the New Testament, the other passages where it is found being: Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; and 2 Peter 1:7 (twice).[25]Philadelphia is supposed to have been founded between 189 B.C. and 138 B.C., either by Eumenes,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:7

Revelation 3:7. Church in Philadelphia— So called from Attalus Philadelphus, its builder. It is distant from Sardis about twenty-seven miles to the south-east, and is called by the Turks Alah-shahr, or "the Beautiful City," on account of its delightful situation; standing on the declivity of the mount Tmolus, and having a most pleasant prospect on the plains beneath, well furnished with divers villages, and watered by the river Pactolus. It still retains the form of a city, with something of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:7

7. Philadelphia—in Lydia, twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis, built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos, who died A.D. 138. It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in the reign of Tiberius [TACITUS, Annals, 2.47]. The connection of this Church with Jews there causes the address to it to have an Old Testament coloring in the images employed. It and Smyrna alone of the seven receive unmixed praise. he that is holy—as in the Old Testament, "the Holy One of Israel." Thus Jesus and the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:7

1. Destination and description of Christ 3:7Philadelphia (lit. brotherly love; cf. Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; et al.) lay about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. A Pergamenian king, Attalus II (159-138 B.C.), founded it. The town received its name from his nickname, "Philadelphus" or "brother lover." This king had a special devotion to his brother, Eumenes II. The city stood in a wine-producing area and was the so-called gateway to central Asia Minor. The modern name of this... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:7-13

F. The letter to the church in Philadelphia 3:7-13The Lord sent the letter to the church in Philadelphia to praise the Christians for their faithfulness in spite of persecution and to encourage them to persevere. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 3:7

3:7 open. (f-39) Some authorities read 'opens.' read more