Revelation 3:7-8,Revelation 3:10-13

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.A door opened ... Many see here a promise of opportunity; but, in the light of the preceding verse, it appears that the door of admission into the church, the messianic kingdom identified with the church, - this is the door meant. "It assures the church of how futile were such excommunications as the Jews were leveling against... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:7

Revelation 3:7. Church in Philadelphia— So called from Attalus Philadelphus, its builder. It is distant from Sardis about twenty-seven miles to the south-east, and is called by the Turks Alah-shahr, or "the Beautiful City," on account of its delightful situation; standing on the declivity of the mount Tmolus, and having a most pleasant prospect on the plains beneath, well furnished with divers villages, and watered by the river Pactolus. It still retains the form of a city, with something of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:8

Revelation 3:8. Behold, I have set before thee an open door,— St. Paul uses this symbol to signify the free exercise and propagation of the gospel; Act 14:27. 1Co 16:9 but at the same time this shews, that the liberty here used, is in a more limited degree than when other symbols are employed; and therefore it is said here, that this angel has but a little strength. See Revelation 4:1; Revelation 19:11. Thus this expression coincides with the allegory, which was begun with the key of David. One... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:7

7. Philadelphia—in Lydia, twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis, built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos, who died A.D. 138. It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in the reign of Tiberius [TACITUS, Annals, 2.47]. The connection of this Church with Jews there causes the address to it to have an Old Testament coloring in the images employed. It and Smyrna alone of the seven receive unmixed praise. he that is holy—as in the Old Testament, "the Holy One of Israel." Thus Jesus and the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:8

8. I have set—Greek, "given": it is My gracious gift to thee. open door—for evangelization; a door of spiritual usefulness. The opening of a door by Him to the Philadelphian Church accords with the previous assignation to Him of "the key of David." and—The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, and ORIGEN read, "which no man can shut." for—"because." a little—This gives the idea that Christ says, He sets before Philadelphia an open door because she has some little strength; whereas the sense rather... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:7

1. Destination and description of Christ 3:7Philadelphia (lit. brotherly love; cf. Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; et al.) lay about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. A Pergamenian king, Attalus II (159-138 B.C.), founded it. The town received its name from his nickname, "Philadelphus" or "brother lover." This king had a special devotion to his brother, Eumenes II. The city stood in a wine-producing area and was the so-called gateway to central Asia Minor. The modern name of this... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:7-13

F. The letter to the church in Philadelphia 3:7-13The Lord sent the letter to the church in Philadelphia to praise the Christians for their faithfulness in spite of persecution and to encourage them to persevere. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:8

2. Commendation 3:8The Philadelphia Christians had received an "open door" to opportunity for spiritual blessing, perhaps opportunity for evangelism (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). This opportunity would continue because they had a little "power" (spiritual power) though they were evidently few. Since there is no article before "little" in the Greek text, it is possible to understand their "little strength" (NIV) as a reference to their small influence, evidently... read more

John Darby