The Meaning of Revelation 22:11 Explained

Revelation 22:11

KJV: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

YLT: he who is unrighteous -- let him be unrighteous still, and he who is filthy -- let him be filthy still, and he who is righteous -- let him be declared righteous still, and he who is sanctified -- let him be sanctified still:

Darby: Let him that does unrighteously do unrighteously still; and let the filthy make himself filthy still; and let him that is righteous practise righteousness still; and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still.

ASV: He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that is unjust,  let him be unjust  still:  and  he which is filthy,  let him be filthy  still:  and  he that is righteous,  let him be righteous  still:  and  he that is holy,  let him be holy  still. 

What does Revelation 22:11 Mean?

Study Notes

holy
Sanctification, holiness, Summary:
(1) In both Testaments the same Hebrew and Greek words are rendered by the English works "sanctify" and "holy," in their various grammatical forms. The one uniform meaning is, "to set apart for God."
(2) In both Testaments the words are used of "things" and "persons".
(3) When used of things no moral quality is implied; they are sanctified or made holy because set apart for God.
(4) Sanctification when used of persons has a threefold meaning.
(a) In position, believers are eternally set apart for God by redemption, "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once" Hebrews 10:9 ; Hebrews 10:10 . Positionally, therefore, believers are "saints" and "holy" from the moment of believing; Philippians 1:1 ; Hebrews 3:1 .
(b) In experience, the believer is being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures John 17:17 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 ; Ephesians 5:25 ; Ephesians 5:26 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:24
(c) In consummation, the believer's complete sanctification awaits the appearing of the Lord Ephesians 5:27 ; 1 John 3:2 See "Salvation," .
salvation
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

The angel gave John this warning to pass along because the time is near ( Revelation 22:10). This is a strong warning not to put off becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. It presents the hopelessness of the final state of unbelievers. When Christ comes, people will not be able to change their destiny. What they are then they will remain forever. People should not expect some second chance in the future but should make the decision about worshipping God now in the light of what they have read in this book (cf. Matthew 25:10; Luke 13:25; Hebrews 9:27).
"It is not only true that the troubles of the last days will tend to fix the character of each individual according to the habits which he has already formed, but there will come a time when change will be impossible-when no further opportunity will be given for repentance on the one hand or for apostasy on the other." [1]
Remember the pharaoh of the Exodus.
"All four parts of Revelation 22:11 indicate with a tone of irony the fixity of state in which the good and the evil find themselves at a time when no further opportunity for repentance remains. The lesson Isaiah , "Change while there is time."" [2]
This verse does not teach that for some people repentance and conversion are impossible now (cf. Revelation 22:17). It is a guarantee of personal responsibility for one"s decisions (cf. Ezekiel 3:27; Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 13:9; et al.).

Context Summary

Revelation 22:10-21 - "come, Lord Jesus"
Still, four times repeated, implies the crystallization and permanence of character. The rewards mentioned here are for the faithful service of Christ's stewards, as in Matthew 25:21. For the fourth time, He who began the book and closes it, uses of Himself the divine monogram of Alpha and Omega, Revelation 1:8; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 21:6. In the Authorized Version the way to the tree of life was opened to those who kept the commandments, but it is very comforting to read in the Revised Version that this blessed privilege is for those "who wash their robes." Notice the combination of various titles in Christ: David's Lord and David's Son; the Morning Star and the Sun of Heaven's Day; the Coming One, for whose quick return the whole creation waits; and the Water of Life, of which whosoever will may drink. The appeal of Revelation 22:17 is to our Lord, asking Him to make haste to come, and it is answered in Revelation 22:20. But who shall tell whether that cry may not, sooner than we think, be answered by a spiritual transformation of the things seen and temporal, so that without a break, in the twinkling of an eye, the veil of matter may be rent, and the whole imminent glory of the unseen and eternal swim into view! Let us be on the alert [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 22

1  The river of the water of life
2  The tree of life
5  The light of the city of God is himself
7  Jesus Is Coming
9  The angel will not be worshipped
18  Nothing may be added to the word of God, nor taken away

Greek Commentary for Revelation 22:11

Let him do unrighteousness still [αδικησατω ετι]
First aorist (constative) active imperative of αδικεω — adikeō viewed here as a whole. The language is probably ironical, with a reminder of Daniel 12:10, in no sense a commendation of their lost estate. Charles rejects this verse as not like John. It is the hopelessness of the final state of the wicked which is here pictured. So as to “Let him be made filthy still” First aorist (constative) passive imperative of ρυπαινω — rupainō old verb, to make foul or filthy (from ρυπος — rupos filth, 1 Peter 3:21, as is ρυπαρος — ruparos filthy), here only in N.T. The use of ετι — eti is not perfectly clear, whether “still” or “yet more.” It is the time when Christ has shut the door to those outside who are now without hope (Matthew 25:10; Luke 13:25). υπαρος — Ruparos occurs elsewhere in N.T. only in James 2:2, and ρυπαρια — ruparia (filthiness) only in James 1:21. So then “the righteous” The states of both the evil and the good are now fixed forever. There is no word here about a “second chance” hereafter. [source]
Unjust [ἀδικῶν]
Rev., better, unrighteous. [source]
Let him be unjust [ἀδικησάτω]
The verb means to do wickedly. Hence Rev., correctly, let him do unrighteousness. [source]
He which is filthy [ὁ ῥυπῶν]
Only here in the New Testament. On the kindred noun ῥύπος filthsee on 1 Peter 3:21. Ῥυπαρία filthinessoccurs only in James 1:21; and the adjective ῥυπαρός filthyonly in James 2:2. [source]
Let him be filthy [ῥυπωσάτω]
The best texts read ῥυπανθήτω lethim be made filthy. So Rev. [source]
Let him be righteous [δικαιωθήτω]
Read δικαιοσύνην ποιησάτω lethim do righteousness. So Rev. [source]
Let him be holy [ἁγιασθήτω]
Rev., giving literally the force of the passive voice, let him be made holy. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 22:11

James 1:21 Filthiness [ῥυπαρίαν]
Only here in New Testament, but James uses the kindred adjective (James 2:2), “vile raiment.” Ῥύπος , filth, occurs in 1 Peter 3:21- on which see notes; and the verb ῥυπόω , to be filthy, is found in Revelation 22:11. [source]
James 2:2 If there come in [εαν εισελτηι]
Condition of third class (supposable case) with εαν — ean and second (ingressive) aorist active subjunctive of εισερχομαι — eiserchomai your synagogue The common word for the gathering of Jews for worship (Luke 12:11) and particularly for the building where they met (Luke 4:15, Luke 4:20, Luke 4:28, etc.). Here the first is the probable meaning as it clearly is in Hebrews 10:25 “A gold-fingered man,” “wearing a gold ring.” The word occurs nowhere else, but Lucian has χρυσοχειρ — chrusocheir (gold-handed) and Epictetus has χρυσους δακτυλιους — chrusous daktulious (golden seal-rings). “Hannibal, after the battle of Cannae, sent as a great trophy to Carthage, three bushels of gold-rings from the fingers of Roman knights slain in battle” (Vincent).In fine clothing “In bright (brilliant) clothing” as in Matthew 11:8; Luke 23:11; Acts 10:30. In contrast with “vile clothing” υπαρος — Ruparos (late word from ρυπος — rupos filth, 1 Peter 3:21) means filthy, dirty. In N.T. only here and Revelation 22:11 (filthy).Poor man (πτωχος — ptōchos). Beggarly mendicant (Matthew 19:21), the opposite of πλουσιος — plousios (rich). [source]
James 2:2 In fine clothing [εν εστητι λαμπραι]
“In bright (brilliant) clothing” as in Matthew 11:8; Luke 23:11; Acts 10:30. In contrast with “vile clothing” υπαρος — Ruparos (late word from ρυπος — rupos filth, 1 Peter 3:21) means filthy, dirty. In N.T. only here and Revelation 22:11 (filthy).Poor man (πτωχος — ptōchos). Beggarly mendicant (Matthew 19:21), the opposite of πλουσιος — plousios (rich). [source]
1 Peter 3:21 After a true likeness [αντιτυπον]
Water in baptism now as an anti-type of Noah‘s deliverance by water. For βαπτισμα — baptisma see note on Matthew 3:7. For αντιτυπον — antitupon see note on Hebrews 9:24 (only other N.T. example) where the word is used of the earthly tabernacle corresponding Simplex verb (σωζω — sōzō not the compound διασωζω — diasōzō). The saving by baptism which Peter here mentions is only symbolic (a metaphor or picture as in Romans 6:2-6), not actual as Peter hastens to explain.Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh Αποτεσις — Apothesis is old word from αποτιτημι — apotithēmi (1 Peter 2:1), in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 1:14. υπου — Rupou (genitive of ρυπος — rupos) is old word (cf. ρυπαρος — ruparos filthy, in James 2:2; Revelation 22:11), here only in N.T. (cf. Isaiah 3:3; Isaiah 4:4). Baptism, Peter explains, does not wash away the filth of the flesh either in a literal sense, as a bath for the body, or in a metaphorical sense of the filth of the soul. No ceremonies really affect the conscience (Hebrews 9:13.). Peter here expressly denies baptismal remission of sin.But the interrogation of a good conscience toward God (αλλα συνειδησεως αγατης επερωτημα εις τεον — alla suneidēseōs agathēs eperōtēma eis theon). Old word from επερωταω — eperōtaō (to question as in Mark 9:32; Matthew 16:1), here only in N.T. In ancient Greek it never means answer, but only inquiry. The inscriptions of the age of the Antonines use it of the Senate‘s approval after inquiry. That may be the sense here, that is, avowal of consecration to God after inquiry, having repented and turned to God and now making this public proclamation of that fact by means of baptism (the symbol of the previous inward change of heart). Thus taken, it matters little whether εις τεον — eis theon (toward God) be taken with επερωτημα — eperōtēma or συνειδησεως — suneidēseōs the resurrection of Jesus Christ (δι αναστασεως Ιησου Χριστου — di' anastaseōs Iēsou Christou). For baptism is a symbolic picture of the resurrection of Christ as well as of our own spiritual renewal (Romans 6:2-6). See 1 Peter 1:3 for regeneration made possible by the resurrection of Jesus. [source]
1 Peter 3:21 Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh [ου σαρκος αποτεσις ρυπου]
Αποτεσις — Apothesis is old word from αποτιτημι — apotithēmi (1 Peter 2:1), in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 1:14. υπου — Rupou (genitive of ρυπος — rupos) is old word (cf. ρυπαρος — ruparos filthy, in James 2:2; Revelation 22:11), here only in N.T. (cf. Isaiah 3:3; Isaiah 4:4). Baptism, Peter explains, does not wash away the filth of the flesh either in a literal sense, as a bath for the body, or in a metaphorical sense of the filth of the soul. No ceremonies really affect the conscience (Hebrews 9:13.). Peter here expressly denies baptismal remission of sin.But the interrogation of a good conscience toward God (αλλα συνειδησεως αγατης επερωτημα εις τεον — alla suneidēseōs agathēs eperōtēma eis theon). Old word from επερωταω — eperōtaō (to question as in Mark 9:32; Matthew 16:1), here only in N.T. In ancient Greek it never means answer, but only inquiry. The inscriptions of the age of the Antonines use it of the Senate‘s approval after inquiry. That may be the sense here, that is, avowal of consecration to God after inquiry, having repented and turned to God and now making this public proclamation of that fact by means of baptism (the symbol of the previous inward change of heart). Thus taken, it matters little whether εις τεον — eis theon (toward God) be taken with επερωτημα — eperōtēma or συνειδησεως — suneidēseōs the resurrection of Jesus Christ (δι αναστασεως Ιησου Χριστου — di' anastaseōs Iēsou Christou). For baptism is a symbolic picture of the resurrection of Christ as well as of our own spiritual renewal (Romans 6:2-6). See 1 Peter 1:3 for regeneration made possible by the resurrection of Jesus. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 22:11 mean?

The [one] being unrighteous let him be unrighteous still and he who is filthy let him be filthy [is] righteous righteousness let him practice he who [is] holy let him be holy
ἀδικῶν ἀδικησάτω ἔτι καὶ ῥυπαρὸς ῥυπανθήτω δίκαιος δικαιοσύνην ποιησάτω ἅγιος ἁγιασθήτω

  The  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀδικῶν  being  unrighteous 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδικέω  
Sense: absolutely.
ἀδικησάτω  let  him  be  unrighteous 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀδικέω  
Sense: absolutely.
ἔτι  still 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἔτι  
Sense: yet, still.
  he  who 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ῥυπαρὸς  is  filthy 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ῥυπαρός  
Sense: to be dirty, grow filthy.
ῥυπανθήτω  let  him  be  filthy 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ῥυπαίνω 
Sense: to make filthy, defile, soil.
δίκαιος  [is]  righteous 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δίκαιος  
Sense: righteous, observing divine laws.
δικαιοσύνην  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δικαιοσύνη  
Sense: in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God.
ποιησάτω  let  him  practice 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
  he  who  [is] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἅγιος  holy 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.
ἁγιασθήτω  let  him  be  holy 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἁγιάζω 
Sense: to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow.