Revelation 3:3-16 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience - My word commanding or enjoining patience; that is, thou hast manifested the patience which I require. They had shown this in the trials which they had experienced; he promises now, that in return he will keep them in the future trials that shall come upon the world. One of the highest rewards of patience in one trial is the grace that God gives us to bear another. The fact that we have been patient and submis sive may be regarded as proof that he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:11

Behold, I come quickly - That is, in the trials referred to. Compare the notes on Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:11, Revelation 1:16.Hold that fast which thou hast - That is, whatever of truth and piety you now possess. See the notes on Revelation 3:3.That no man take thy crown - The crown of life appointed for all who are true believers. See the notes on 2 Timothy 4:8. The truth which is taught bore is, that by negligence or unfaithfulness in duty we may be deprived of the glory which we might... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:12

Him that overcometh - See the notes on Revelation 2:7.Will make a pillar in the temple of my God - See the introductory remarks to this epistle. The promised reward of faithfulness here is, that he who was victorious would be honored as if he were a pillar or column in the temple of God. Such a pillar or column was partly for ornament, and partly for support; and the idea here is, that in that temple he would contribute to its beauty and the justness of its proportions, and would see the same... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:14

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write - See the notes on Revelation 1:20.These things saith the Amen - Referring, as is the case in every epistle, to some attribute of the speaker adapted to impress their minds, or to give special force to what he was about to say to that particular church. Laodicea was characterized by lukewarmness, and the reference to the fact that he who was about to address them was the “Amen” - that is, was characterized by the simple earnestness and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:15

I know thy works - notes on Revelation 2:2.That thou art neither cold nor hot - The word “cold” here would seem to denote the state where there was no pretension to religion; where everything was utterly lifeless and dead. The language is obviously figurative, but it is such as is often employed, when we speak of one as being cold toward another, as having a cold or icy heart, etc. The word “hot” would denote, of course, the opposite - warm and zealous in their love and service. The very words... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm ... I will spue thee out of my mouth - Referring, perhaps, to the well-known fact that tepid water tends to produce sickness at the stomach, and an inclination to vomit. The image is intensely strong, and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the church at Laodicea. The idea is, that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a church - a threatening of which there has been an abundant fulfillment in subsequent times. It... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:2-3

Revelation 3:2-3. Be watchful Therefore awake to a sense of thy danger, and stand on thy guard against the enemies, visible and invisible, which threaten thy eternal destruction; and strengthen By prayer, hearing and reading the word, by meditation thereon, and a conscientious use of every private and public means of grace; the things which remain In thy soul: such as knowledge of the truth, good desires, convictions of sin, of depravity and weakness, and of thy duty and interest; ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:4

Revelation 3:4. Yet thou hast a few names That is, persons; even in Sardis Corrupt and indolent as the general state of the place is; who have not defiled their garments Who, notwithstanding the common corruption, have preserved their purity, having neither spotted themselves, nor partaken of the guilt of other men’s sins. These persons, though few, had not separated themselves from the rest; otherwise the angel of this church would not have had them. Yet it was no virtue of his that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:5-6

Revelation 3:5-6. He that overcometh That is finally victorious over his spiritual enemies; shall be clothed in white raiment In the habit of victory, joy, and triumph; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life Like that of the angel of the church at Sardis. See on Philippians 4:3; Daniel 12:1. This passage plainly implies, that some names shall be blotted out from the book of life: that is, some who, in consequence of their adoption and regeneration, were entitled to and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:7-8

Revelation 3:7-8. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write “Philadelphia, so called from Attalus Philadelphus, its builder, is distant from Sardis about twenty-seven miles to the south-east. It is called by the Turks Alah Shahr, or the beautiful city, on account of its delightful situation, standing on the declivity of the mountain Tmolus, and having a most pleasant prospect on the plains beneath, well furnished with divers villages, and watered by the river Pactolus. It still... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:5-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:7-8

Group of Brands