Revelation 1:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 1:3-8

We have here an apostolic benediction on those who should give a due regard to this divine revelation; and this benediction is given more generally and more especially. I. More generally, to all who either read or hear the words of the prophecy. This blessing seems to be pronounced with a design to encourage us to study this book, and not be weary of looking into it upon account of the obscurity of many things in it; it will repay the labour of the careful and attentive reader. Observe, 1. It... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:4-6

1:4-6 This is John writing to the seven Churches which are in Asia. Grace be to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the witness on whom you can rely, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and who set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood, and who made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:4-6

He begins by sending them the blessing of God. He sends them grace, and this means all the undeserved gifts of the wondrous love of God. He sends them peace, which R. C. Charles finely describes as "the harmony restored between God and man through Christ." But there are two extra-ordinary things in this greeting. (i) John sends blessings from him who is and who was and who is to come. That is in itself a common title for God. In Exodus 3:14 the word of God to Moses is "I am who I am."... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:4-6

Anyone who reads this passage must be astonished at the form of the Trinity which we meet here. We speak of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Here we have God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son but instead of the Holy Spirit we have the seven Spirits who are before his throne. These seven Spirits are mentioned more than once in the Revelation ( Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 4:5 ; Revelation 5:6 ). Three main explanations have been offered of them. (i) The Jews talked of the seven angels of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:4-6

In this passage three great titles are ascribed to Jesus Christ. (i) He is the witness on whom we can rely. It is a favourite idea of the Fourth Gospel that Jesus is a witness of the truth of God. Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen" ( John 3:11 ). Jesus said to Pilate: "For this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth" ( John 18:37 ). A witness is essentially a person who speaks from... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:4-6

Few passages set down with such splendour what Jesus did for men. (i) He loves us and he set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood. The King James Version is in error here. It reads: "Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood." The words "to wash" and "to set free" are in Greek very alike. "To wash" is louein ( Greek #3068 ); "to set free" is luein ( Greek #3089 ); and they are pronounced exactly in the same way. But there is no doubt that the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ ,.... Who, though the second Person in the Trinity, is mentioned last, because many things were to be said of him; and who is described in all his offices: in his prophetic office, the faithful witness ; as he is of his Father, of his mind and will, with respect to doctrine and worship; of his truth and faithfulness in his promises; and of his love, grace, and mercy, to his chosen; and of himself, of his true deity, proper sonship, and perfect equality with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:6

And hath made us kings and priests ,.... The Alexandrian copy, and Complutensian edition, read, "a kingdom, priests"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "a kingdom and priests"; and the Arabic version, "a kingdom of priesthood"; reference seems to be had to Exodus 19:6 , "and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests"; which the Jerusalem Targum renders, "ye shall be unto me", מלכין וכהנין , "kings and priests"; and so the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases it thus, "and ye shall be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:5

The faithful witness - The true teacher, whose testimony is infallible, and whose sayings must all come to pass. The first-begotten of the dead - See the note on Colossians 1:18 . The prince of the kings - Ὁ αρχων , The chief or head, of all earthly potentates; who has them all under his dominion and control, and can dispose of them as he will. Unto him that loved us - This should begin a new verse, as it is the commencement of a new subject. Our salvation is attributed to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:6

Kings and priests - See on 1 Peter 2:5 ; (note), 1 Peter 2:9 ; (note). But instead of βασιλεις και ἱερεις , kings and priests the most reputable MSS., versions, and fathers have βασιλειαν ἱερεις , a kingdom and priests; i.e. a kingdom of priests, or a royal priesthood. The regal and sacerdotal dignities are the two highest that can possibly exist among men; and these two are here mentioned to show the glorious prerogatives and state of the children of God. To him be glory - ... read more

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