Revelation 3:8

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 3:8

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Philadelphias: the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus over the house of God. Although we know less of the Church at Philadelphia than of that at Smyrna, yet we think of it with almost equal feelings or affectionate regard. It is one of the two out of seven for which our Lord has no rebuke. He has for it only words of spur and cheer. It is weak, with "little strength." It is trusty. It has kept the faith. It has boldness, for it has "not denied Christ's Name." Demands had been made on its powers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

Letter to the Church at Philadelphia. If asked to sum up in a word the main lesson of this letter, I would quote the saying of our Lord recorded by St. Luke, "Fear not, little flock." Such is the effect of a right reading of this most precious epistle. It is a heart-cheering word to all such Churches, and to every one of like character. For Philadelphia was— I. LITTLE . "Thou hast a little strength" (verse 8), or rather, "Thou hast small power." It refers not to her spiritual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

(6) The epistle to the Church in Philadelphia: he Church in her fidelity rewarded. The "holy" and "true" One—the Holy One who is Truth, who has supreme power, opening and shutting at his will, and whose work none can withstand, he speaks his word of commendation and blessing and promise to his steadfast Church. The symbolical word is fidelity. The reward comprises— I. THE LORD 'S DISTINCT RECOGNITION OF THE CHURCH 'S FIDELITY . "I know thy works." To fight in view of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:7-13

The words of Christ to the Church at Philadelphia. "And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia," etc. On a slope of Mount Tmolus stood Philadelphia, a city of Lydia, lying between Sardis and Laodicea. Attalus Philadelphus, after whose name it was called Philadelphia, founded it B.C. 140. It was a commercial city of commanding position and considerable importance, and well fortified withal. Through its adjoining valley the celebrated Xerxes led his forces on his way to Greece. On... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works . Once more Christ's judgment is based upon intimate personal knowledge. A question arises whether the next sentence, introduced by "behold," should be parenthetical or not. It is possible, as in the Authorized Version and previous English versions, and also in the Vulgate, to avoid what is certainly an awkward parenthesis. On the other hand, it seems clear that in Revelation 3:1 and Revelation 3:15 ὅτι depends upon οἷδα , "I know thy works, that thou," and... read more

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