Revelation 3:7-9

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write ,.... Of the city of Philadelphia; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 ; According to the Apostolical Constitutions F13 L. 7. c. 46. , one Demetrius was ordained bishop of this church by the Apostle John; but this is not to be depended on; nor is it known who this angel was: however, certain it is there was a church in this place in the "second" century, in the times of Ignatius, who wrote an epistle to it, and which then had a bishop or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works ,.... Good works, of faith, love, and patience; and which lay much in preaching, professing, and maintaining the pure Gospel, and in acts of charity to one another; and which were done to some degree of perfection, and with great sincerity; since this church is not complained of, that her works were not perfect before God, as the former church is: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; or "which no man can shut", as read the Alexandrian... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan ,.... Which may be understood either of the Papists, the followers of the man of sin, whose coming was after the working of Satan, and whose doctrines are the doctrines of devils, many of whom will now be converted, and brought to the true church; or rather of the Jews, who had, and have, and will have till this time, their synagogues for religious worship in their way; but they are no other than synagogues of Satan; the men that assemble in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:7

He that is holy - In whom holiness essentially dwells, and from whom all holiness is derived. He that is true - He who is the fountain of truth; who cannot lie nor be imposed on; from whom all truth proceeds; and whose veracity in his Revelation is unimpeachable. He that hath the key of David - See this metaphor explained, Matthew 16:19 . Key is the emblem of authority and knowledge; the key of David is the regal right or authority of David. David could shut or open the kingdom of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:8

I have set before thee an open door - I have opened to thee a door to proclaim and diffuse my word; and, notwithstanding there are many adversaries to the spread of my Gospel, yet none of them shall be able to prevent it. Thou hast a little strength - Very little political authority or influence; yet thou hast kept my word - hast kept the true doctrine; and hast not denied my name, by taking shelter in heathenism when Christianity was persecuted. The little strength may refer either to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:9

I will make them - Show them to be, of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, pretending thereby to be of the synagogue of God, and consequently his true and peculiar children. I will make them to come and worship - I will so dispose of matters in the course of my providence, that the Jews shall be obliged to seek unto the Christians for toleration, support, and protection, which they shall be obliged to sue for in the most humble and abject manner. To know that I have loved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7

He that is holy, he that is true. It is doubtful which of these two clauses should precede: authorities are somewhat evenly balanced. Christ, the Speaker, here claims to be "the Holy One" ( ἁ ἅγιος ), and therefore God ( Revelation 6:10 ; comp. Revelation 4:8 ; John 17:11 ). In the Old Testament "the Holy One" is a frequent name of God, especially in Isaiah 1:4 ; Isaiah 5:19 , Isaiah 5:24 ; Isaiah 10:7 , Isaiah 10:20 ; Isaiah 12:6 , etc.; Job 6:10 ; Jeremiah 1:1-19 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The epistle to the Church at Philadelphia. The circuit continues in the same direction. Philadelphia lies about thirty miles south-east of Sardis, on the road to Laodicea. It is said to owe its name to Attalus Philadelphus, King of Pergamum, B.C. 159-138. But it is by no means certain that he was the founder. A trustworthy tradition as to its Egyptian origin points to Ptolemy Philadelphus, who had estates in Asia Minor (Theocr., 17.88). Lying at the western edge of a district whose... read more

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