Revelation 3:3-16 NIV

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:11

I come quickly. Contrast μαι σοι ( Revelation 2:5 . 16), which is a threat, with ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς ( John 14:28 ; comp. Revelation 16:7 ; Revelation 17:11 , Revelation 17:13 ) and ἔρχομαι used absolutely ( Revelation 3:11 ; Revelation 22:7 , Revelation 22:11 , 29), which is a promise. Here the declaration is one of encouragement to the Church—her trial will be short; her reward is near at hand (see notes on Revelation 1:1 ). Hold fast. The same verb ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:12

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar. (For construction, ὁ νικῶν , ποιήσω αὐτὸν , see on Revelation 2:26 .) The "overcoming" is a present continuous process, but will have a termination, and then he who has faithfully fought the daily battle will be made a pillar, steadfast, immovable. St. John may be alluding to A reference may be intended to the frontlet of the high priest, upon which was inscribed, "Holiness to the Lord" ( Exodus 28:36 ). The inscription is threefold:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:13

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches (see on Revelation 2:7 ). Of the condition of the Church in Philadelphia we know nothing from Holy Writ, except what is contained in the passage before us. But its comparative immunity from trouble and destruction, and its continued existence to the present day (see on Revelation 3:7-13 , "Philadelphia"), render it probable that the message of the apostle was not without some effect. Thus Gibbon writes: "In the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14

And unto the angel . Those expositors who understand "the angel" of a Church to signify its chief officer, may with some plausibility argue that at Laodicea it seems almost certain that this was Archippus. In his Epistle to Philemon, a wealthy convert of Colossae, St. Paul sends greeting to Archippus ( Philemon 1:2 ). If Archippus were the son of philemon, he might very well have been Bishop of Laodicea at the time of St. John's message. Moreover, the son of a wealthy and influential... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14

Laodicea: self-conceit and self-deceit. Here is a Church which has an utterly mistaken view of itself. It thinks itself as well off as need be. Our Lord declares it to be in a desperately bad condition. It is addressed by Christ as by the "faithful and true Witness," as the "Beginning of the creation of God;" not as the beginning in the sense of "the first part of," but in the sense of the Beginner, in whom the creation had its beginning, and still has its continuance, meaning, plan, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-21

The epistle to the Church at Laodicea. It was a wealthy city in which this Church had her home, and it was large and beautiful also. It stood on one of the great Roman roads which led away to Damascus and Arabia. Hence there was a large stream of traffic continually flowing through it, and its inhabitants became very rich. At the time when this letter was sent them they were building for themselves one of those huge amphitheatres which the Greeks and Romans of the day were wont to build in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

The epistle to the Church in Laodicea. Laodicea, on the Lycus, a tributary of the Maeander, lay some fifty miles to the south-east of Philadelphia. The modern Turkish name, Eskihissar, signifies "the old castle." It is situated on the western side of the valley of the Lycus, on the opposite slopes of which, some six or eight miles distant, were Hierapolis and Colossae, with which it is associated by St. Paul ( Colossians 4:13 , Colossians 4:16 ). Named at first Diosopolis, after its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

(7) The Epistle to the Church in Laodicea. The "Amen, the faithful and true Witness," speaks to the untrue and unfaithful Church, whose outward appearance contrasts so with her internal state. Deceptive pretentiousness receives its rebuke. The lukewarm—neither hot and fervent in devotion nor lowlily acknowledging itself to be cold; neither fervid in holy affection nor consciously lacking holy fervour and confessing it—lacking the true warm fervour of love, and either not knowing the lack,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

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