Revelation 3:3-16 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

The present blessedness of the consecrated life: a Whit Sunday sermon. "They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." This is Whit Sunday, and its very name carries us back in thought to the literal and impressive manner in which the Christian Church of the early centuries was wont to interpret our text when she celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. For it was at this feast—so the Book of the Acts tells us—that there were reaped for Christ and his Church those famous firstfruits of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:5

He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments . It is difficult to see on what principles of criticism Alford retains the reading of the Textus Receptus, οὗτος , instead of that rightly accepted by the Revisers, οὕτως . The latter has a very decided balance of external evidence in its favour; the former is a corruption very likely to occur either accidentally or in order to introduce a construction very frequent in St. John ( John 3:26 ; John 6:46 ; John 7:18 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:6

He that hath an ear. As in the others of the last four epistles, and unlike the first three, this exhortation follows the promise to the victor. No satisfactory explanation of the change of arrangement seems to have been given by any commentater. The order in the four last epistles seems best. The exhortation forms a fitting conclusion to each, as in the synoptic Gospels to parables (see notes on Revelation 2:7 , and comp. Revelation 13:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:6

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

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