Revelation 3:7-10 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:7

(7) Philadelphia.—The town of Philadelphia derived its name from Attalus Philadelphus, the king of Pergamos, who died B.C. 138. It was situated on the slopes of Mount Tmolus, in the midst of a district the soil of which was favourable to the cultivation of the vine. On the coins of the town are to be found the head of Bacchus. The town was built on high ground—upwards of 900 feet above the sea-level. The whole region, however, was volcanic, and few cities suffered more from earthquakes; the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:8

(8) I know thy works: behold, I have set (better, given) before thee an open door (better, a door opened).—A reference to the passages (Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; Colossians 4:3) in which a similar expression is used reminds us that the open door was not simply a way of escape from difficulties, but an opening for preaching the gospel, an opportunity of doing good, as well as an abundant entrance into the kingdom.For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:9

(9) Behold, I will make.—Better, Behold, I give some. There is no word to express this in the original, but as a word must be supplied to complete the sense, it is better to adopt “some” than the “them” of the Authorised version, as it is not a promise that all of the synagogue of Satan should come.Of the synagogue of Satan.—We have here a re-appearance of the same troubles which afflicted the Church of Smyrna: the fixed and contemptuous exclusiveness of the Judaising party was their trial. But... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:10

(10) Because thou hast kept (better, didst keep) the word of my patience.—The one who keeps God’s word is kept. Such is “the benigna talio of the kingdom of God,” as Archbishop Trench calls it. The promise does not mean the being kept away from, but the being kept out from the tribulation. The head should be kept above the waters; they should not be ashamed, because they had kept the word of patience. It is through patience, as well as comfort of the Scripture that we have the hope which maketh... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 3:1-22

Seven Revelation 3:1 I think, of all fearful passages in Holy Scripture, the Epistles to the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea are the most fearful. Sardis was looked on as a model Church, no doubt prided herself and was envied by others, for her spiritual endowments, gift of tongues and the like. Imagine then, how like a thunderbolt it must have fallen upon them, when they came together on the Sunday that followed the receipt of this epistle, and the Bishop read the words of Him that cannot be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

CHAPTER 3 Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea 1. Sardis: The reformation period (Revelation 3:1-6 ) 2. Philadelphia: The faithful remnant (Revelation 3:7-13 ) 3. Laodicea: The indifferent and apostate Church (Revelation 3:14-22 ) Revelation 3:1-6 . We have traced briefly the decline during the 1450-1500 years of Church history. The climax is reached in Thyatira, prophetically the Roman abomination and apostasy. In Sardis we see the progress of evil stayed. Roman Catholicism, as already... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:7

3:7 {6} And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the {e} key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;(6) The sixth passage is to the pastors of Philadelphia. The introduction is taken from Revelation 1:18 .(e) All power of rule in commanding and forbidding, in delivering and punishing. The house of David is the Church, and the continual promise of David’s kingdom belongs to... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:8

3:8 {7} I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.(7) The note of praise is in this verse of promises, and Revelation 3:9 to bring home again them that wander, in Revelation 3:10 to preserve the godly and in Revelation 3:11 to exhort. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:9

3:9 Behold, I will make them {f} of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come {8} and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.(f) I will bring them to that case.(8) That is, fall down and worship either you civilly, or Christ religiously at thy feet (this is how I would rather take it) whether here in the Church (which seems more proper to the argument here) or there in the world to come, for Christ shall truly... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:10

3:10 Because thou hast {g} kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.(g) Because you have been patient and constant, as I would have my servants be. read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:10

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 3:1-22

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:7

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:8

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:9

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:10

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