Revelation 3:7-10 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7

He that is holy, he that is true. It is doubtful which of these two clauses should precede: authorities are somewhat evenly balanced. Christ, the Speaker, here claims to be "the Holy One" ( ἁ ἅγιος ), and therefore God ( Revelation 6:10 ; comp. Revelation 4:8 ; John 17:11 ). In the Old Testament "the Holy One" is a frequent name of God, especially in Isaiah 1:4 ; Isaiah 5:19 , Isaiah 5:24 ; Isaiah 10:7 , Isaiah 10:20 ; Isaiah 12:6 , etc.; Job 6:10 ; Jeremiah 1:1-19 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The epistle to the Church at Philadelphia. The circuit continues in the same direction. Philadelphia lies about thirty miles south-east of Sardis, on the road to Laodicea. It is said to owe its name to Attalus Philadelphus, King of Pergamum, B.C. 159-138. But it is by no means certain that he was the founder. A trustworthy tradition as to its Egyptian origin points to Ptolemy Philadelphus, who had estates in Asia Minor (Theocr., 17.88). Lying at the western edge of a district whose... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Philadelphias: the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus over the house of God. Although we know less of the Church at Philadelphia than of that at Smyrna, yet we think of it with almost equal feelings or affectionate regard. It is one of the two out of seven for which our Lord has no rebuke. He has for it only words of spur and cheer. It is weak, with "little strength." It is trusty. It has kept the faith. It has boldness, for it has "not denied Christ's Name." Demands had been made on its powers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Letter to the Church at Philadelphia. If asked to sum up in a word the main lesson of this letter, I would quote the saying of our Lord recorded by St. Luke, "Fear not, little flock." Such is the effect of a right reading of this most precious epistle. It is a heart-cheering word to all such Churches, and to every one of like character. For Philadelphia was— I. LITTLE . "Thou hast a little strength" (verse 8), or rather, "Thou hast small power." It refers not to her spiritual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

(6) The epistle to the Church in Philadelphia: he Church in her fidelity rewarded. The "holy" and "true" One—the Holy One who is Truth, who has supreme power, opening and shutting at his will, and whose work none can withstand, he speaks his word of commendation and blessing and promise to his steadfast Church. The symbolical word is fidelity. The reward comprises— I. THE LORD 'S DISTINCT RECOGNITION OF THE CHURCH 'S FIDELITY . "I know thy works." To fight in view of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The words of Christ to the Church at Philadelphia. "And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia," etc. On a slope of Mount Tmolus stood Philadelphia, a city of Lydia, lying between Sardis and Laodicea. Attalus Philadelphus, after whose name it was called Philadelphia, founded it B.C. 140. It was a commercial city of commanding position and considerable importance, and well fortified withal. Through its adjoining valley the celebrated Xerxes led his forces on his way to Greece. On... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works . Once more Christ's judgment is based upon intimate personal knowledge. A question arises whether the next sentence, introduced by "behold," should be parenthetical or not. It is possible, as in the Authorized Version and previous English versions, and also in the Vulgate, to avoid what is certainly an awkward parenthesis. On the other hand, it seems clear that in Revelation 3:1 and Revelation 3:15 ὅτι depends upon οἷδα , "I know thy works, that thou," and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:9

Behold I give of the synagogue of Satan . The true reading seems to be neither δίδωμι nor δέδωκα , but διδῶ , from the form διδόω , which is fairly common in classical Greek. The construction, ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς , the partitive genitive used as subject or object of a verb, is frequent in St. John's writings ( John 1:24 ; John 7:40 ; John 16:17 ; 2 John 1:4 ; comp. John 6:39 ; John 21:10 ). The Church of Smyrna was encouraged with a promise that their Jewish... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:10

Because thou didst keep (see notes on Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 2:26 ) the word of my patience, I also will keep thee . This is the Divine lex talionis. "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you" ( Luke 6:37 , Luke 6:38 ); keep, and ye shall be kept. Compare "I know mine own, and mine own know me" ( John 10:14 ). "The word of my patience" may mean either the gospel, which everywhere teaches patience, or those sayings of Christ in which he... read more

Albert Barnes

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:10

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

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