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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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:15

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans ,.... These impure heretics sprung up in the time of the apostolic church, but their doctrines were not received, and their deeds were hated, see Revelation 2:6 . This seems to design the doctrines of the church of Rome, which in this period took place; which forbid marriage to the priests, and recommended celibacy and virginity to others also; which were the source of all uncleanness and abominable lusts; for which pardons... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:15

The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes - See on Revelation 2:6 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamos: the impure Church. In studying this letter to the Church at Pergamos, we will arrange our thoughts in two divisions. I. LET US STUDY THE CHURCH ITSELF . We gather four things concerning. 1 . It is directly under the eye of Christ, and responsible to him. This is a feature common to all the Churches. But it is imperative on us ever to keep this fact in the foreground of our thinking about Church life. 2 . It was in a very peculiar situation. Some three... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

The epistle to the Church at Pergamos. It would be altogether fitting to take the title of this letter from that which our Lord takes as his own, and term it, " The sharp two-edged sword." For this letter is largely illustrative of its work. In Revelation 1:1-20 . we saw it in St. John's vision; here we see it in the experience of the Church. But whilst the main reference is to that vision, there is farther appropriateness from the allusions to the wilderness life of Israel, with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

(3) The epistle to the Church in Pergamum: the faithful Church waning from internal decay. He "that hath the sharp two-edged sword" bears it not in vain. It is a keen weapon of judgment against all adversaries, and may be a true and effectual warning to faithless ones within the Church and threatening ones without. The adversary has his seat in the city where this Church finds its centre. With persecuting violence assailing it, this Church has maintained its faithfulness to its Lord.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

The words of Christ to the congregation at Pergamos. "And to the angel of the Church in Pergamos," etc. "Few, if any, parts of the world present greater attractions than Pergamos to the student of nature, history, or art. It is associated with memorable names and wonderful exploits. It is the native land of Homer, the oldest of the world's poets, and of Herodotus, the father of history, and "three of the seven wise men here began their life. Among the wonders of the world it boasted its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:15

So hast thou also some that hold . As in Revelation 2:13 and Revelation 2:14 "hold" is κρατεῖν with the accusative (see notes on Revelation 2:13 ). What does "also" mean? Probably, "As Israel had Balak to seduce them, and Balak had Balaam, so hast thou," etc.). Others take it, "As the Church at Ephesus has Nicolaitans, so hast thou." The reading of the Authorized Version, "which thing I hate," must certainly yield to that of the Revised Version, "in like manner," which is supported... read more

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