Revelation 3:1-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

Here is, I. The preface, showing, 1. To whom this letter is directed: To the angel of the church of Sardis, an ancient city of Lydia, on the banks of the mountain Tmolus, said to have been the chief city of Asia the Less, and the first city in that part of the world that was converted by the preaching of John; and, some say, the first that revolted from Christianity, and one of the first that was laid in its ruins, in which it still lies, without any church or ministry. 2. By whom this message... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

We have now come to the sixth letter, sent to one of the Asian churches, where observe, I. The inscription, showing, 1. For whom it was more immediately designed: The angel of the church of Philadelphia; this also was a city in Asia Minor, seated upon the borders of Mysia and Lydia, and had its name from that brotherly love for which it was eminent. We can hardly suppose that this name was given to it after it received the Christian religion, and that it was so called from that Christian... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

We now come to the last and worst of all the seven Asian churches, the reverse of the church of Philadelphia; for, as there was nothing reproved in that, here is nothing commended in this, and yet this was one of the seven golden candlesticks, for a corrupt church may still be a church. Here we have, as before, I. The inscription, to whom, and from whom. 1. To whom: To the angel of the church of Laodicea. This was a once famous city near the river Lycus, had a wall of vast compass, and three... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:1-6

3:1-6 And to the angel of the Church in Sardis, write: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works; I know that you have a reputation for life, but that you are dead. Show yourself watchful, and strengthen what remains and what is going to die. I have not found your works completed before my God. Remember, then, how you received and heard the gospel, and keep it, and repent. If, then, you are not on the watch, I will come as a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:7-13

3:7-13 And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia, write: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no man will shut, and shuts and no man opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you a door which stands open and which no man shuts, because you have a little strength and because you have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Behold, I will give you those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who call themselves... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:14-22

3:14-22 And to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write: These things says the Amen, the witness on whom you can rely and who is true, the moving cause of the creation of God. I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are tepid and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich and I have acquired riches, and I need nothing, and are quite unaware that it is you who are the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:1

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write ,.... Of the city of Sardis See Gill on Revelation 1:11 when, and by whom this church was founded, and who was the present angel or pastor of it, is not now to be certainly known; however, here was a church in the "second" century, of which Melito was then pastor; and he is thought by some to be the angel here intended; this man wrote upon the book of the Revelation, and an apology for the Christians, sent to the Emperor Antoninus Verus, in... read more

John Gill

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

Be watchful ,.... Which may respect both ministers and members: the ministers of the Gospel, whose business is to watch over themselves, their conversation and doctrine, and watch every opportunity to preach it, and the success of their ministry; and that they do not grow careless, or be drawn aside through frowns or flatteries; and over others, as shepherds do, to know the state of their flock; as watchmen of cities to give the time of night, and notice of approaching danger; and to see... read more

John Gill

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

Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard ,.... That is, hast received upon hearing; for hearing goes first, and then receiving: the design of the advice is to put this church in mind of the doctrines of grace she had heard at the beginning of the Reformation, from Luther and others; such as justification by the righteousness of Christ, pardon through his blood, and atonement by his sacrifice, doctrines now almost lost and buried in forgetfulness; wherefore Christ would have her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis ,.... The Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "but thou hast a few names", &c.; or "a few men", as the Ethiopic version renders it; who were called by name, and were men of renown, excellent men, men famous for holding the truth of doctrine, and for powerful and practical godliness; men of great light and grace, and who were known by name to God and Christ: these are said to... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:1-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:7-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 3:14-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:1

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:4

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