Revelation 2:1-3

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 2:1

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write ,.... Of the city of Ephesus; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 and see Gill on Acts 18:19 . The church here seems to have been founded by the Apostle Paul, who continued here two years, by which means all Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, Acts 19:10 ; of this church; see Gill on Acts 20:17 ; it is named first, because it was the largest, most populous, and famous, and was nearest to Patmos, where John now was, and most known to him, it... read more

John Gill

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

I know thy works ,.... The good works, both of ministers and churches; no evil works are mentioned, nor anything complained of in this church but an abatement of the fervour of her first love. Christ, as the omniscient God, knows all the works of his people, and the springs, and principles, and ends, and views of them, whether they are done in obedience to him, and spring from love to him, and are performed in his strength, and by his grace, and are directed to his glory; and such he takes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:3

And hast borne ,.... Not evil men, nor false apostles, but "burdens", as the Ethiopic version reads, and as the word signifies; meaning afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions, which pressed sore, and lay heavy on these ministers and churches; and yet they bore them with constancy and cheerfulness, and were not moved by them. The Arabic version reads, "and thou hast borne me"; my name and Gospel, among the Gentiles, and carried it from place to place; see Acts 9:15 , and hast patience... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:1

Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus - By αγγελος , angel, we are to understand the messenger or person sent by God to preside over this Church; and to him the epistle is directed, not as pointing out his state, but the state of the Church under his care. Angel of the Church here answers exactly to that officer of the synagogue among the Jews called ציבור שליח sheliach tsibbur , the messenger of the Church, whose business it was to read, pray, and teach in the synagogue. The Church... read more

Adam Clarke

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

I know thy works - For the eyes of the Lord are throughout the earth, beholding the evil and the good; and, being omnipresent, all things are continually open and naked before him. It is worthy of remark, that whatsoever is praiseworthy in any of these Churches is first mentioned; thereby intimating that God is more intent on finding out the good than the evil in any person or Church; and that those who wish to reform such as have fallen or are not making sufficient advances in the Divine... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:3

And hast borne - The same things mentioned in the preceding verse, but in an inverted order, the particular reason of which does not appear; perhaps it was intended to show more forcibly to this Church that there was no good which they had done, nor evil which they had suffered, that was forgotten before God. And hast not fainted - They must therefore have had a considerable portion of this love remaining, else they could not have thus acted. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1

Unto the angel (see on Revelation 1:20 ). "The angel" seems to be the spirit of the Church personified as its responsible guardian. The Church of Ephesus . " In Ephesus" is certainly the right reading; in all seven cases it is the angel of the Church in the place that is addressed. In St. Paul's:Epistles we have " in Rome," " in Corinth," " in Colossae," " in Ephesus," " of Galatia," " of the Thessalonians." Among all the cities of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:1

The stars, the lamps, and the Lord. "He that holdeth … golden candlesticks." We may well pause on the threshold of the first of these letters to the Churches to consider, as we have not done before, the truths that underlie the sublime symbols of the stars and the lamps of gold and the holding of the stars in the Lord's right hand, and his walking in the midst of the lamps of gold. Here, as well as throughout these letters, "He that hath an ear, let him hear." I. THE STARS . The... read more

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