Revelation 2:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

We have here, I. The inscription, where observe, 1. To whom the first of these epistles is directed: To the church of Ephesus, a famous church planted by the apostle Paul (Acts 19:1-41), and afterwards watered and governed by John, who had his residence very much there. We can hardly think that Timothy was the angel, or sole pastor and bishop, of this church at this time,?that he who was of a very excellent spirit, and naturally cared for the good state of the souls of the people, should... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 2:1-7

2:1-7 To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. I know your works--I mean your toil and your steadfast endurance, and I know that you cannot bear evil men, and that you have put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and who are not, and have proved them liars. I know that you possess steadfast endurance. I know all that you have borne for my name's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen ,.... Believers cannot totally and finally fall away from the grace which they have received; but they may fall into sin, and from a degree of grace, and the exercise of it, as these first and pure churches did, from some degree of their love to God, and Christ, and one another; and therefore are called upon to remember, mind, and observe from what degree of it they were fallen; in order to bring them under a conviction and acknowledgment of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:5

Remember - Consider the state of grace in which you once stood; the happiness, love, and joy which you felt when ye received remission of sins; the zeal ye had for God's glory and the salvation of mankind; your willing, obedient spirit, your cheerful self-denial, your fervor in private prayer, your detachment from the world, and your heavenly-mindedness. Remember - consider, all these. Whence thou art fallen - Fallen from all those blessed dispositions and gracious feelings already... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

The epistle to the Church at Ephesus. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

Ephesus: the declining Church. This letter to the Church at Ephesus, as welt as all the others, is sent to the Church through its "angel." It is not very easy for an English reader to understand to what office in the Church such an expression can refer. The various meanings of "bishop" or "overseer," "pastor," "messenger," have been assigned. We do not accept either to the exclusion of any other. We will, however, indicate some historic matters concerning Church officers, and then leave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

The epistle to the Church at Ephesus. Ephesus was a notable place in the days of St. John. It and Corinth, on either side of the AE gean, and between which there was a regular traffic, have been likened to the Liverpool and New York of our day, on either side of the Atlantic. Ephesus was large, populous, wealthy, the capital of the province and the centre of the religious worship of the great Diana, whose magnificent temple was accounted one of the wonders of the world. Nor is the place... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

(1) The epistle to the Church in Ephesus: the decay of early love. The Ephesian Church highly commended for many things—for "toil" in service and for "patience" in tribulation; unwearied endurance in suffering; repudiation of "evil men," and fidelity in trying them "which call themselves apostles, and they are not;" and even" hating the works" which the Lord says, "I also hate." But the works of the Church are all known to him who "walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1-7

The words of Christ from eternity to the congregation at Ephesus. "Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus," etc. The quality of words, whether weak or potent, pure or unvirtuous, useful or otherwise, depends evermore upon the character of the author. Hence the words of truly great men, intellectually and morally great, are the most blessed of all the blessed things we have; they are the organs of the highest light and choicest life. Hence the words of Christ have a value unsurpassed and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:5

The exhortation and threat are clear as trumpet notes: "Remember, repent, and return, or I will return and remove thee." A modem heathen philosophy teaches us that in this world to be happy is to forget. That is not the teaching of Christ. The past is both an encouragement and a warning to us; therefore "remember." Some have to remember heights from which they have fallen; others, depths from which they have been raised; others again, both. Cicero ('Ad. Att.,' 4.16) would remember the one and... read more

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