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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

The Epistles to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22)Since ’seven’ is the perfect number, the ’seven churches’ represent all the Churches of the province of Asia. At the same time, the special circumstances of each Church are faithfully pictured in each epistle. Ramsay points out that St. John alludes, as well, to the special circumstances of each city. He suggests that the Churches are mentioned in the order in which a messenger carrying letters would travel. The letters,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 2:4

(4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee.—Better, I have against thee that thou didst let go. This is the fault, and it is no trifle which is blamed, as the word “somewhat” (which is not to be found in the original) might be taken to imply; for the decay of love is the decay of that without which all other graces are as nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3), since “all religion is summed up in one word, Love. God asks this; we cannot give more; He cannot take less” (Norman Macleod, Life, i., p.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 2:1-29

Revelation 2:1 Compare Milton's magnificent apostrophe, in The Remonstrant's Defence: 'Who is there that cannot trace Thee now in Thy beamy walk through the midst of Thy sanctuary, amidst those golden candlesticks, which have long suffered a dimness amongst us through the violence of those that had seized them, and were more taken with the mention of their gold than of their starry light; teaching the doctrine of Balaam, to cast a stumbling-block before Thy servants, commanding them to eat... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:1-29

CHAPTER IITHE CHURCH ON THE FIELD OF HISTORY.Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22To the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them which call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; and thou hast patience and didst bear for My name’s sake,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE, THE SEVEN CHURCH MESSAGES, AND THEIR PROPHETIC MEANING CHAPTER 2 1. Ephesus: The post-apostolic period (Revelation 2:1-7 ) 2. Smyrna: The period of persecution (Revelation 2:8-11 ) 3. Pergamos: The corruption period (Revelation 2:12-17 ) 4. Thyatira: The Romish corruption (Revelation 2:18-29 ) The two chapters which follow the introductory chapter contain seven messages to seven local churches which were in existence in the province of Asia in the days when the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 2:4

2:4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] {a} against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.(a) To deal with you for. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

The Address to Ephesus (vv. 1-7) Each local assembly is addressed on the basis of its responsibility as a testimony for God. Each of these assemblies actually existed and were functioning as assemblies in Asia Minor at the time of John's writing, but the spiritual condition of each is strikingly representative of seven successive stages of the entire history of the Church on earth from its beginning until the coming of the Lord (the Rapture). This interpretation is supported by such... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:1-29

THE SEVEN CHURCHES This section might also be entitled “The things which are.” No agreement exists as to the application of “angel” in the address to each of these churches, but as the word means “messenger,” it may refer to those sent by the churches to interview the apostle at Patmos (see Philippians 4:18 ). Of course, the seven churches existed at this time in Asia, and yet the epistles have not only a local application to them, but apply representatively to the whole church everywhere at... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Revelation 2:1-7

Letter to Ephesus Rev 2:1-7 I. The Head of the Church has a minute knowledge of all the services of his people. First. There is distinguished labour. "I know thy works, and thy labour." The church at Ephesus had been a working church. It had been operating on the surrounding regions of depravity, darkness, and death. In its early life it was eminently an aggressive church. For my own part, I would have Christ's Church as ambitious as Alexander. As he waved his battle-flag over a conquered... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

(1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I... read more

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