The Meaning of Revelation 4:11 Explained

Revelation 4:11

KJV: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

YLT: Worthy art Thou, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power, because Thou -- Thou didst create the all things, and because of Thy will are they, and they were created.'

Darby: Thou art worthy, O our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy will they were, and they have been created.

ASV: Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou art  worthy,  O Lord,  to receive  glory  and  honour  and  power:  for  thou  hast created  all things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they are  and  were created. 

What does Revelation 4:11 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The elders" song is similar to that of the four living beings, but it focuses more on the wonders of God"s creation as the evidence of his glory and power. [1] It is also directed to God directly. [2] "Worthy art thou" and "our Lord and God" were phrases that pagans used to worship the emperor in John"s day. [3] "Because of Thy will" directs praise to God for the ultimate cause of creation. [4] Probably "they existed, and were created" simply credits God for the existence of all things and then stresses the fact that He brought them into existence. [5]
The total impression that this highly symbolic vision presents seems clear even though the interpretation of some of the symbols may not be as obvious. The angelic creatures closest to God will bow before God and give Him the honor He so rightly deserves. [6] We need to see all that follows in this revelation (chs5-22) in the light of the character of God manifested in this vision. God is perfectly holy, just, gracious, righteous, pure, omnipotent, eternal, and sovereign. This should help us accept the coming revelation of all that He will do, including judging huge segments of humanity in the future.

Context Summary

Revelation 4:1-11 - "a Throne Set In Heaven"
The vision of the ascended Lord introduced the seven letters to the churches, so the visions of this and the next chapters introduce the seven seals. They resemble the frontispiece or illuminated capitals of the old missals. There is no form for the Divine Being. God is Spirit, and His glory can only be hinted at by appropriate imagery. His being should excite emotions in our spirit similar to those which these objects excite in our mind. The jasper with its transparent brilliance, the sardine or cornelian with its fiery red, the emerald with its refreshing beauty, are laid under contribution to describe what cannot be described. The throne bespeaks majestic authority and power. The worship of the elders reflects that of Israel and the Church, Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14; the thunder, God's awful holiness; the seven lamps, the searching, cleansing purity of His Spirit; the glassy sea, the mystery of His ways; the four living creatures, the homage of creation.
Here is the song of creation, Revelation 4:11. Originally all things did the will of God, and if creation is now subject to vanity, some day it will be delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and God's will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. Notice that the will of God brought all things into existence, and that that will guarantees their ultimate redemption. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 4

1  John sees the throne of God in heaven
4  The twenty-four elders
6  The four beasts full of eyes before and behind
10  The elders lay down their crowns, and worship him who sat on the throne

Greek Commentary for Revelation 4:11

Our Lord and our God [ο κυριος και ο τεος ημων]
The nominative form here used as vocative as in John 20:28 and often. [source]
To receive [λαβειν]
Epexegetic second aorist active infinitive of λαμβανω — lambanō with αχιος — axios (worthy).The glory (την δοχαν — tēn doxan). The article referring to δοχαν — doxan in Revelation 4:9 and so with την τιμην — tēn timēn (the honour), though την δυναμιν — tēn dunamin (the power) is not in Revelation 4:9, but is the power due to be ascribed to God.Thou didst create Emphasis on συ — su (thou), first aorist active indicative of κτιζω — ktizō the verb used about the act of creation by Paul in Colossians 1:16 Reason for creation of the universe as in Hebrews 2:10 (ησαν — di' hon).They were Imperfect tense with a cursory glance at the universe as a fact, possibly a potential existence in God‘s purpose in the eternal past before the actual creation in time.And were created (κτιζω — kai ektisthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of the same verb, εκτιστη — ktizō just used and in the plural, while Paul (Colossians 1:16) uses the singular ektisthē See 1 Corinthians 8:6. God‘s will wrought through the Logos (Christ). [source]
The glory [την δοχαν]
The article referring to δοχαν — doxan in Revelation 4:9 and so with την τιμην — tēn timēn (the honour), though την δυναμιν — tēn dunamin (the power) is not in Revelation 4:9, but is the power due to be ascribed to God. [source]
Thou didst create [συ εκτισας]
Emphasis on συ — su (thou), first aorist active indicative of κτιζω — ktizō the verb used about the act of creation by Paul in Colossians 1:16 Reason for creation of the universe as in Hebrews 2:10 (ησαν — di' hon).They were Imperfect tense with a cursory glance at the universe as a fact, possibly a potential existence in God‘s purpose in the eternal past before the actual creation in time.And were created (κτιζω — kai ektisthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of the same verb, εκτιστη — ktizō just used and in the plural, while Paul (Colossians 1:16) uses the singular ektisthē See 1 Corinthians 8:6. God‘s will wrought through the Logos (Christ). [source]
Because of thy will [δι ον]
Reason for creation of the universe as in Hebrews 2:10 (ησαν — di' hon). [source]
They were [και εκτιστησαν]
Imperfect tense with a cursory glance at the universe as a fact, possibly a potential existence in God‘s purpose in the eternal past before the actual creation in time.And were created (κτιζω — kai ektisthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of the same verb, εκτιστη — ktizō just used and in the plural, while Paul (Colossians 1:16) uses the singular ektisthē See 1 Corinthians 8:6. God‘s will wrought through the Logos (Christ). [source]
And were created [κτιζω]
First aorist passive indicative of the same verb, εκτιστη — ktizō just used and in the plural, while Paul (Colossians 1:16) uses the singular ektisthē See 1 Corinthians 8:6. God‘s will wrought through the Logos (Christ). [source]
O Lord [κύριε]
Read ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ourLord and our God. So Rev. See on Matthew 21:3. [source]
To receive [λαβεῖν]
Or perhaps, better, to take, since the glory, honor, and power are the absolute possession of the Almighty. See on John 3:32. [source]
Power []
Instead of the thanks in the ascription of the living creatures. In the excess of gratitude, self is forgotten. Their thanksgiving is a tribute to the creative power which called them into being. Note the articles, “the glory,” etc. (so Rev.), expressing the absoluteness and universality of these attributes. See on Revelation 1:6. [source]
All things [τὰ πάντα]
With the article signifying the universe. [source]
For thy pleasure [διὰ τὸ θέλημα σου]
Lit., because of thy will. So Rev. Alford justly remarks: “For thy pleasure of the A.V. introduces An element entirely strange to the context, and, however true in fact, most inappropriate here, where the ὅτι forrenders a reason for the worthiness to take honor and glory and power.” [source]
They are [εἰσὶν]
Read ἦσαν theywere. One of the great MSS., B, reads οὐκ ἦσαν theywere not; i.e., they were created out of nothing. The were is not came into being, but simply they existed. See on John 1:3; see on John 7:34; see on John 8:58. Some explain, they existed in contrast with their previous non-existence; in which case it would seem that the order of the two clauses should have been reversed; besides which it is not John's habit to apply this verb to temporary and passing objects. Professor Milligan refers it to the eternal type existing in the divine mind before anything was created, and in conformity with which it was made when the moment of creation arrived. Compare Hebrews 8:5. “Was the heaven then or the world, whether called by this or any other more acceptable name - assuming the name, I am asking a question which has to be asked at the beginning of every inquiry - was the world, I say, always in existence and without beginning, or created and having a beginning? Created, I reply, being visible and tangible and having a body, and therefore sensible; and all sensible things which are apprehended by opinion and sense are in a process of creation and created. Now that which is created must of necessity be created by a cause. But how can we find out the father and maker of all this universe? And when we have found him, to speak of his nature to all men is impossible. Yet one more question has to be asked about him, which of the patterns had the artificer in view when he made the world? - the pattern which is unchangeable, or that which is created? If the world be indeed fair and the artificer good, then, as is plain, he must have looked to that which is eternal. But if what cannot be said without blasphemy is true, then he looked to the created pattern. Every one will see that he must have looked to the eternal, for the world is the fairest of creations and he is the best of causes” (Plato, “Timaeus,” 28,29). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 4:11

John 1:3 Were made [ἐγένετο]
Literally, came into being, or became. Expressing the passage from nothingness into being, and the unfolding of a divine order. Compare John 1:14, John 1:17. Three words are used in the New Testament to express the act of creation: κτίζειν , to create (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6; Colossians 1:16); ποιεῖν , to make (Revelation 14:7; Mark 10:6), both of which refer to the Creator; and γίγνεσθαι , to become, which refers to that which is created. In Mark 10:6, both words occur. “From the beginning of the creation ( κτίσεως ) God made ” ( ἐποίησεν ). So in Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship ( ποίημα ), created ( κτισθέντες ) in Christ Jesus.” Here the distinction is between the absolute being expressed by ἦν (see on John 1:1), and the coming into being of creation ( ἐγένετο ). The same contrast occurs in John 1:6, John 1:9. “A man sent from God came into being ” ( ἐγένετο ); “the true Light was ” ( ἦν ). “The main conception of creation which is present in the writings of St. John is expressed by the first notice which he makes of it: All things came into being through the Word. This statement sets aside the notions of eternal matter and of inherent evil in matter. 'There was when' the world 'was not' (John 17:5, John 17:24); and, by implication, all things as made were good. The agency of the Word, 'who was God,' again excludes both the idea of a Creator essentially inferior to God, and the idea of an abstract Monotheism in which there is no living relation between the creature and the Creator; for as all things come into being 'through' the Word, so they are supported 'in' Him (John 1:3; compare Colossians 1:16sq.; Hebrews 1:3). And yet more, the use of the term ἐγένετο , came into being, as distinguished from ἐκτίσθη , were created, suggests the thought that creation is to be regarded (according to our apprehension) as a manifestation of a divine law of love. Thus creation (all things came into being through Him ) answers to the Incarnation (the Word became flesh ). All the unfolding and infolding of finite being to the last issue lies in the fulfillment of His will who is love” (Westcott, on 1 John 2:17). [source]
Ephesians 2:10 Created [κτισθέντες]
See on John 1:3. The verb originally means to make habitable, to people. Hence to found. God is called κτίστης creator 1 Peter 4:19, and ὁ κτίσας hethat created, Romans 1:25. Compare Revelation 4:11. Κτίσις is used of the whole sum of created things, Mark 10:6; Romans 8:22. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Glory of his power [δόξης τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ]
For glory see on 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Ἱσχὺς powernot often in Paul. It is indwelling power put forth or embodied, either aggressively or as an obstacle to resistance: physical power organized or working under individual direction. An army and a fortress are both ἰσχυρὸς. The power inhering in the magistrate, which is put forth in laws or judicial decisions, is ἰσχὺς , and makes the edicts ἰσχυρὰ validand hard to resist. Δύναμις is the indwelling power which comes to manifestation in ἰσχὺς The precise phrase used here does not appear elsewhere in N.T. In lxx, Isaiah 2:10, Isaiah 2:19, Isaiah 2:21. The power ( δύναμις ) and glory of God are associated in Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 19:1. Comp. κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ strengthof his glory, Colossians 1:11. Additional Note on ὄλεθρον αἰώνιον eternaldestruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Ἁιών transliterated eon is a period of time of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle ( περὶ οὐρανοῦ , i. 9,15) says: “The period which includes the whole time of each one's life is called the eon of each one.” Hence it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one's life ( αἰών ) is said to leave him or to consume away (Il. v. 685; Od. v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millennium; the mytho-logical period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many eons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one eon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow's life, another of an oak's life. The length of the eon depends on the subject to which it is attached. It is sometimes translated world; world representing a period or a series of periods of time. See Matthew 12:32; Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49; Luke 1:70; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:6; Ephesians 1:21. Similarly οἱ αἰῶνες theworlds, the universe, the aggregate of the ages or periods, and their contents which are included in the duration of the world. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 11:3. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The word always carries the notion of time, and not of eternity. It always means a period of time. Otherwise it would be impossible to account for the plural, or for such qualifying expressions as this age, or the age to come. It does not mean something endless or everlasting. To deduce that meaning from its relation to ἀεί is absurd; for, apart from the fact that the meaning of a word is not definitely fixed by its derivation, ἀεί does not signify endless duration. When the writer of the Pastoral Epistles quotes the saying that the Cretans are always ( ἀεί ) liars (Titus 1:12), he surely does not mean that the Cretans will go on lying to all eternity. See also Acts 7:51; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Hebrews 3:10; 1 Peter 3:15. Ἁεί means habitually or continually within the limit of the subject's life. In our colloquial dialect everlastingly is used in the same way. “The boy is everlastingly tormenting me to buy him a drum.”-DIVIDER-
In the New Testament the history of the world is conceived as developed through a succession of eons. A series of such eons precedes the introduction of a new series inaugurated by the Christian dispensation, and the end of the world and the second coming of Christ are to mark the beginning of another series. See Ephesians 3:11. Paul contemplates eons before and after the Christian era. Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9, Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:11; comp. Hebrews 9:26. He includes the series of eons in one great eon, ὁ αἰὼν τῶν αἰώνων theeon of the eons (Ephesians 3:21); and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describes the throne of God as enduring unto the eon of the eons (Hebrews 1:8). The plural is also used, eons of the eons, signifying all the successive periods which make up the sum total of the ages collectively. Romans 16:27; Galatians 1:5; Philemon 4:20, etc. This plural phrase is applied by Paul to God only. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The adjective αἰώνιος in like manner carries the idea of time. Neither the noun nor the adjective, in themselves, carry the sense of endless or everlasting. They may acquire that sense by their connotation, as, on the other hand, ἀΐ̀διος , which means everlasting, has its meaning limited to a given point of time in Judges 1:6. Ἁιώνιος means enduring through or pertaining to a period of time. Both the noun and the adjective are applied to limited periods. Thus the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα , habitually rendered forever, is often used of duration which is limited in the very nature of the case. See, for a few out of many instances, lxx, Exodus 21:6; Exodus 29:9; Exodus 32:13; Joshua 14:9; 1 Samuel 8:13; Leviticus 25:46; Deuteronomy 15:17; 1 Chronicles 28:4. See also Matthew 21:19; John 13:8; 1 Corinthians 8:13. The same is true of αἰώνιος . Out of 150 instances in lxx, four-fifths imply limited duration. For a few instances see Genesis 48:4; Numbers 10:8; Numbers 15:15; Proverbs 22:28; Jonah 2:6; Habakkuk 3:6; Isaiah 61:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Words which are habitually applied to things temporal or material can not carry in themselves the sense of endlessness. Even when applied to God, we are not forced to render αἰώνιος everlastingOf course the life of God is endless; but the question is whether, in describing God as αἰώνιος , it was intended to describe the duration of his being, or whether some different and larger idea was not contemplated. That God lives longer than men, and lives on everlastingly, and has lived everlastingly, are, no doubt, great and significant facts; yet they are not the dominant or the most impressive facts in God's relations to time. God's eternity does not stand merely or chiefly for a scale of length. It is not primarily a mathematical but a moral fact. The relations of God to time include and imply far more than the bare fact of endless continuance. They carry with them the fact that God transcends time; works on different principles and on a vaster scale than the wisdom of time provides; oversteps the conditions and the motives of time; marshals the successive eons from a point outside of time, on lines which run out into his own measureless cycles, and for sublime moral ends which the creature of threescore and ten years cannot grasp and does not even suspect. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
There is a word for everlasting if that idea is demanded. That αἰώνιος occurs rarely in the New Testament and in lxx does not prove that its place was taken by αἰώνιος . It rather goes to show that less importance was attached to the bare idea of everlastingness than later theological thought has given it. Paul uses the word once, in Romans 1:20, where he speaks of “the everlasting power and divinity of God.” In Romans 16:26he speaks of the eternal God ( τοῦ αἰωνίου θεοῦ ); but that he does not mean the everlasting God is perfectly clear from the context. He has said that “the mystery” has been kept in silence in times eternal ( χρόνοις αἰωνίοις ), by which he does not mean everlasting times, but the successive eons which elapsed before Christ was proclaimed. God therefore is described as the God of the eons, the God who pervaded and controlled those periods before the incarnation. To the same effect is the title ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων theKing of the eons, applied to God in 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 15:3; comp. 2Timothy href="/desk/?q=2ti+1:9&sr=1">2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2), cannot mean before everlasting times. To say that God bestowed grace on men, or promised them eternal life before endless times, would be absurd. The meaning is of old, as Luke 1:70. The grace and the promise were given in time, but far back in the ages, before the times of reckoning the eons. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Ζωὴ αἰώνιος eternallife, which occurs 42 times in N.T., but not in lxx, is not endless life, but life pertaining to a certain age or eon, or continuing during that eon. I repeat, life may be endless. The life in union with Christ is endless, but the fact is not expressed by αἰώνιος . Κόλασις αἰώνιος , rendered everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), is the punishment peculiar to an eon other than that in which Christ is speaking. In some cases ζωὴ αἰώνιος does not refer specifically to the life beyond time, but rather to the eon or dispensation of Messiah which succeeds the legal dispensation. See Matthew 19:16; John 5:39. John says that ζωὴ αἰώνιος is the present possession of those who believe on the Son of God, John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47, John 6:64. The Father's commandment is ζωὴ αἰώσιος , John 12:50; to know the only true God and Jesus Christ is ζωὴ αἰώνιος , John 17:3. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Bishop Westcott very justly says, commenting upon the terms used by John to describe life under different aspects: “In considering these phrases it is necessary to premise that in spiritual things we must guard against all conclusions which rest upon the notions of succession and duration. 'Eternal life' is that which St. Paul speaks of as ἡ ὄντως ζωὴ thelife which is life indeed, and ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ θεοῦ thelife of God. It is not an endless duration of being in time, but being of which time is not a measure. We have indeed no powers to grasp the idea except through forms and images of sense. These must be used, but we must not transfer them as realities to another order.”-DIVIDER-
Thus, while αἰώνιος carries the idea of time, though not of endlessness, there belongs to it also, more or less, a sense of quality. Its character is ethical rather than mathematical. The deepest significance of the life beyond time lies, not in endlessness, but in the moral quality of the eon into which the life passes. It is comparatively unimportant whether or not the rich fool, when his soul was required of him (Luke 12:20), entered upon a state that was endless. The principal, the tremendous fact, as Christ unmistakably puts it, was that, in the new eon, the motives, the aims, the conditions, the successes and awards of time counted for nothing. In time, his barns and their contents were everything; the soul was nothing. In the new life the soul was first and everything, and the barns and storehouses nothing. The bliss of the sanctified does not consist primarily in its endlessness, but in the nobler moral conditions of the new eon, - the years of the holy and eternal God. Duration is a secondary idea. When it enters it enters as an accompaniment and outgrowth of moral conditions. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In the present passage it is urged that ὄλεθρον destructionpoints to an unchangeable, irremediable, and endless condition. If this be true, if ὄλεθρος isextinction, then the passage teaches the annihilation of the wicked, in which case the adjective αἰώνιος is superfluous, since extinction is final, and excludes the idea of duration. But ὄλεθρος does not always mean destruction or extinction. Take the kindred verb ἀπόλλυμι todestroy, put an end to, or in the middle voice, to be lost, to perish. Peter says, “the world being deluged with water, perished ” ( ἀπολοῦνται 2 Peter 3:6); but the world did not become extinct, it was renewed. In Hebrews 1:11, Hebrews 1:12quoted from Isaiah href="/desk/?q=isa+51:6&sr=1">Isaiah 51:6, Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1. Similarly, “the Son of man came to save that which was lost ” ( ἀπολωλός ), Luke 19:10. Jesus charged his apostles to go to the lost ( ἀπολωλότα ) sheep of the house of Israel, Matthew 10:6, comp. Matthew 15:24. “He that shall lose ( ἀπολέσῃ ) his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew 16:25. Comp. Luke 15:6, Luke 15:9, Luke 15:32. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In this passage the word destruction is qualified. It is “destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, “ at his second coming, in the new eon. In other words, it is the severance, at a given point of time, of those who obey not the gospel from the presence and the glory of Christ. Ἁιώνιος may therefore describe this severance as continuing during the millennial eon between Christ's coming and the final judgment; as being for the wicked prolonged throughout that eon and characteristic of it, or it may describe the severance as characterizing or enduring through a period or eon succeeding the final judgment, the extent of which period is not defined. In neither case is αἰώνιος to be interpreted as everlasting or endless.sa180 [source]

Revelation 5:12 Power, etc. []
Rev., “the power.” Compare the ascription in Revelation 4:11, on which see note, and notice that each separate particular there has the article, while here it is attached only to the first, the power, the one article including all the particulars, as if they formed but one word. On the doxologies, see on Revelation 1:6. [source]
Revelation 1:6 Glory and dominion [ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος]
Rev., correctly, rendering the two articles, “the glory and the dominion.” The articles express universality: all glory; that which everywhere and under every form represents glory and dominion. The verb be (the glory) is not in the text. We may render either as an ascription, be, or as a confession, is. The glory is His. Δόξα glorymeans originally opinion or judgment. In this sense it is not used in Scripture. In the sacred writers always of a good or favorable opinion, and hence praise, honor, glory (Luke 14:10; Hebrews 3:3; 1 Peter 5:4). Applied to physical objects, as light, the heavenly bodies (Acts 22:11; 1 Corinthians 15:40). The visible brightness in manifestations of God (Luke 2:9; Acts 7:55; Luke 9:32; 2 Corinthians 3:7). Magnificence, dignity (Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6). Divine majesty or perfect excellence, especially in doxologies, either of God or Christ (1 Peter 4:11; Judges 1:25; Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:11; Matthew 16:27; Mark 10:37; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). The glory or majesty of divine grace (Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 1:12, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:11). The majesty of angels (Luke 9:26; Judges 1:8; 2 Peter 2:10). The glorious condition of Christ after accomplishing His earthly work, and of the redeemed who share His eternal glory (Luke 24:26; John 17:5; Philemon 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Romans 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:27).| Trench remarks upon the prominence of the doxological element in the highest worship of the Church as contrasted with the very subordinate place which it often occupies in ours. “We can perhaps make our requests known unto God, and this is well, for it is prayer; but to give glory to God, quite apart from anything to be directly gotten by ourselves in return, this is better, for it is adoration.” Dr. John Brown in his Memoir of his father, one of the very finest biographical sketches in English literature, records a formula used by him in closing his prayers on specially solemn occasions: “And now unto Thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the one Jehovah and our God, we would - as is most meet - with the Church on earth and the Church in heaven, ascribe all honor and glory, dominion and majesty, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen” (“Horae Subsecivae”). Compare the doxologies in |1 Peter 4:11|; |Galatians 1:5|; |Revelation 4:9|, |Revelation 4:11|; |Revelation 5:13|; |Revelation 7:12|; |Judges 1:25|; |1 Chronicles 29:11|.|Forever and ever ( εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων )|Lit., unto the ages of the ages. For the phrase compare Galatians 1:5; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11. It occurs twelve times in Revelation, but not in John's Gospel or Epistles. It is the formula of eternity.|Amen ( ἀμὴν )|The English word is a transcription of the Greek and of the Hebrew. A verbal adjective, meaning firm, faithful. Hence ὁ ἀμὴν , the Amen, applied to Christ (Revelation 3:14). It passes into an adverbial sense by which something is asserted or confirmed. Thus often used by Christ, verily. John alone uses the double affirmation, verily, verily. See on John 1:51; see on John 10:1.| [source]
Revelation 14:7 The hour is come [η ωρα ηλτεν]
Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Revelation 1:5 The first-born of the dead [ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων]
A Jewish Messianic title (Psalm 89:27) and as in Colossians 1:18 refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See Luke 2:7 for the word.The ruler of the kings of the earth (ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης — ho archōn tōn basileōn tēs gēs). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16), what the devil offered him by surrender (Matthew 4:8.).Unto him that loveth us Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντι — agapēsanti) active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12.; Revelation 7:10, Revelation 7:12, etc.). For the thought see John 3:16.Loosed (λυσαντι — lusanti). First aorist active participle of λυω — luō (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντι — lousanti (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always.By his blood As in Revelation 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption. [source]
Revelation 1:5 Unto him that loveth us [τωι αγαπωντι ημας]
Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντι — agapēsanti) active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12.; Revelation 7:10, Revelation 7:12, etc.). For the thought see John 3:16.Loosed (λυσαντι — lusanti). First aorist active participle of λυω — luō (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντι — lousanti (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always.By his blood As in Revelation 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption. [source]
Revelation 14:7 Fear God [ποβητητε τον τεον]
First aorist passive (deponent) imperative of ποβεομαι — phobeomai here transitive with the accusative as in Luke 12:5. It is a call to judgment with no hope offered except by implication (Acts 14:15.).Give him glory (δοτε αυτωι δοχαν — dote autōi doxan). Second aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi For the phrase see Revelation 11:13.The hour is come Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Revelation 14:7 Worship [προσκυνησατε]
First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Revelation 3:4 Did not defile [ουκ εμολυναν]
First aorist active indicative of μολυνω — molunō (1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Peter 1:4), pollution.They shall walk (περιπατησουσιν — peripatēsousin). Future active of περιπατεω — peripateō promise of fellowship with Christ (μετ εμου — met' emou with me) “in white” (εν λευκοις — en leukois), as symbols of purity (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13) like the angel (Matthew 28:3), with possibly a reference to Enoch (Genesis 5:22). For they are worthy (οτι αχιοι εισιν — hoti axioi eisin). To walk with Christ, not worthy in the same sense as God and Christ (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9), but in a relative sense. See Revelation 16:6 for bad sense of αχιος — axios f0). [source]
Revelation 3:4 They shall walk [περιπατησουσιν]
Future active of περιπατεω — peripateō promise of fellowship with Christ For they are worthy To walk with Christ, not worthy in the same sense as God and Christ (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9), but in a relative sense. See Revelation 16:6 for bad sense of αχιος — axios f0). [source]
Revelation 5:9 A new song [ωιδην καινην]
Cognate accusative for οιδε — oide Second aorist passive indicative of σπαζω — sphazō Αγοραζω — Agorazō used by Paul and Peter of our purchase from sin by Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5; 2 Peter 2:1; cf. 1 Peter 1:18.).Unto God Dative case of advantage as also in Revelation 5:10.With thy blood (εν τωι αιματι σου — en tōi haimati sou). Instrumental use of εν — en as in Revelation 1:5. The blood of Christ as the price of our redemption runs all through the Apocalypse. This is the reason why Christ is worthy to “take the book and open its seals.” That is, he is worthy to receive adoration and worship (Revelation 4:11) as the Father does.Men of every No αντρωπους — anthrōpous (men) or τινας — tinas (some) before εκ — ek in the Greek. See a like ellipsis in Revelation 11:9 with a like grouping of words for all mankind, representatives of all races and nations (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:6). [source]
Revelation 5:9 Unto God [τωι τεωι]
Dative case of advantage as also in Revelation 5:10.With thy blood (εν τωι αιματι σου — en tōi haimati sou). Instrumental use of εν — en as in Revelation 1:5. The blood of Christ as the price of our redemption runs all through the Apocalypse. This is the reason why Christ is worthy to “take the book and open its seals.” That is, he is worthy to receive adoration and worship (Revelation 4:11) as the Father does.Men of every No αντρωπους — anthrōpous (men) or τινας — tinas (some) before εκ — ek in the Greek. See a like ellipsis in Revelation 11:9 with a like grouping of words for all mankind, representatives of all races and nations (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:6). [source]
Revelation 5:9 With thy blood [εν τωι αιματι σου]
Instrumental use of εν — en as in Revelation 1:5. The blood of Christ as the price of our redemption runs all through the Apocalypse. This is the reason why Christ is worthy to “take the book and open its seals.” That is, he is worthy to receive adoration and worship (Revelation 4:11) as the Father does. [source]
Revelation 5:13 Saying [λεγοντας]
Masculine (construction according to sense, personifying the created things) if genuine, though some MSS. have λεγοντα — legonta (grammatical gender agreeing with παντα — panta) present active participle of λεγω — legō to say.And to the Lamb (και τωι αρνιωι — kai tōi arniōi). Dative case. Praise and worship are rendered to the Lamb precisely as to God on the throne. Note separate articles here in the doxology as in Revelation 4:11 and the addition of το κρατος — to kratos (active power) in place of ισχυς — ischus (reserve of strength) in Revelation 5:12. [source]
Revelation 5:12 Worthy [αχιον]
Agreeing in gender (grammatical neuter) with αρνιον — arnion but some MSS. have αχιος — axios (masculine, natural gender). Note change to third person εστιν — estin instead of second ει — ei The point of the song is the same as that in Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:10, but the language differs. Note the repeated article το — to (the lamb the slain) referring to Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9. Note also the one article την — tēn before δυναμιν — dunamin for all the seven grounds of praise (δυναμιν — dunamin power, πλουτον — plouton wealth, σοπιαν — sophian wisdom, ισχυν — ischun strength, τιμην — timēn honor, δοχαν — doxan glory, ευλογιαν — eulogian blessing), though πλουτον — plouton is masculine, in contrast with separate article for each item (all three feminine) in Revelation 4:11, here grouping them all together, “a heptad of praise” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 5:13 And to the Lamb [και τωι αρνιωι]
Dative case. Praise and worship are rendered to the Lamb precisely as to God on the throne. Note separate articles here in the doxology as in Revelation 4:11 and the addition of το κρατος — to kratos (active power) in place of ισχυς — ischus (reserve of strength) in Revelation 5:12. [source]
Revelation 7:12  []
Note αμην — amēn at the beginning and the close of the doxology. Note also separate feminine article with each of the seven attributes given God, as in Revelation 4:11 ; Revelation 5:12 , Revelation 5:13 . [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 4:11 mean?

Worthy are You the Lord and - God of us to receive - glory honor power for You created - all things because of the will of You they existed were created
Ἄξιος εἶ Κύριος καὶ Θεὸς ἡμῶν λαβεῖν τὴν δόξαν τιμὴν δύναμιν ὅτι σὺ ἔκτισας τὰ πάντα διὰ τὸ θέλημά σου ἦσαν ἐκτίσθησαν

Ἄξιος  Worthy 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄξιος  
Sense: weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much.
εἶ  are  You 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
Κύριος  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
  - 
Parse: Article, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
λαβεῖν  to  receive 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
τιμὴν  honor 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: τιμή  
Sense: a valuing by which the price is fixed.
δύναμιν  power 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
ἔκτισας  created 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κτίζω  
Sense: to make habitable, to people, a place, region, island.
τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
διὰ  because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
σου  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἦσαν  they  existed 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἐκτίσθησαν  were  created 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: κτίζω  
Sense: to make habitable, to people, a place, region, island.