Revelation 2:11-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 2:8-11

We now proceed to the second epistle sent to another of the Asian churches, where, as before, observe, I. The preface or inscription in both parts. 1. The superscription, telling us to whom it was more expressly and immediately directed: To the angel of the church in Smyrna, a place well known at this day by our merchants, a city of great trade and wealth, perhaps the only city of all the seven that is still known by the same name, now however no longer distinguished for its Christian church... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

Here also we are to consider, I. The inscription of this message. 1. To whom it was sent: To the angel of the church of Pergamos. Whether this was a city raised up out of the ruins of old Troy, a Troy nouveau (as our London was once called), or some other city of the same name, is neither certain nor material; it was a place where Christ had called and constituted a gospel church, by the preaching of the gospel and the grace of his Spirit making the word effectual. 2. Who it was that sent this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 2:18-29

The form of each epistle is very much the same; and in this, as the rest, we have to consider the inscription, contents, and conclusion. I. The inscription, telling us, 1. To whom it is directed: To the angel of the church of Thyatira, a city of the proconsular Asia, bordering upon Mysia on the north and Lydia on the south, a town of trade, whence came the woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, who, being at Philippi in Macedonia, probably about the business of her calling, heard Paul preach... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 2:8-11

2:8-11 And to the angel of the Church in Smyrna, write: These things says the first and the last, who passed through death, and who came to life again. I know the affliction and the poverty you endure--you are rich in spite of it--and I know the slanders which proceed from those who call themselves Jews and are not, but who are a synagogue of Satan. Have no fear of what you will have to go through Behold! the devil is going to throw some of you into prison in order to test... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 2:12-17

2:12-17 And to the angel of the Church in Pergamum, write: These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where your home is. I know that it is where the throne of Satan is; and yet you hold fast to my name, and have not denied your loyalty to me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan has his home. But I have a few things against you. You have among you some people who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 2:18-29

2:18-29 And to the angel of the Church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like beaten brass. I know your works--I mean your love and your loyalty and your service and your steadfast endurance; and I know that your last works are more than your first. But I hold it against you that you make no effort to deal with the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and whose misleading teaching causes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear ,.... See Gill on Revelation 2:7 , he that overcometh ; and is not intimidated by poverty, confiscation of goods, tribulation, persecution, and death itself, but through Christ is a conqueror, and more than a conqueror over all these things: shall not be hurt of the second death ; by which is meant eternal death, in distinction from a corporeal and temporal one; and lies in a destruction of both body and soul in hell, and in an everlasting... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:12

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write ,.... Of the city of Pergamos; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 . In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, Revelation 2:13 ; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it. Though, according to the Apostolical Constitutions F19 L. 7. c. 46. , Caius was the first bishop of it; and it appears, that in the "second" century there were several in this place that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:13

I know thy works ,.... Both good and bad, and which in that pure part of this church, which opposed the growing corruptions of antichrist, were for the most part good, And where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is . Pergamos was a city very much given to idolatry, here Satan reigned while it was Pagan, and so was a fit emblem of the idolatrous church of Rome. Pausanias says F1 L. 1. sive Attica, p. 8. , the country the Pergamenes inhabited was sacred to the Cabiri, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee ,.... The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a snare to others to join in their idolatry and superstition: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of... read more

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