Each of these letters consists of three parts: 1. The introduction, specifying some characteristic from the vision of the preceding chapter, which is appropriate to the need of the church addressed. 2. A description of the condition of the church. 3. A promise to the overcomer, following the successive revelations of God in the Old Testament, which begin with the tree of life and include the manna, the conquest of Canaan, the glory of the Temple, and the reign of Solomon.
We may go far in outward activity for the cause of the Redeemer and yet be threatened with the removal of our candlestick. Full of labor, opposed to wicked men and false teachers, persistently orthodox, not fainting in the day of trial; and yet, if love be wanting, nothing can compensate. Is the complaint true of us, that we have lost our first love? The exuberance of its emotion may have passed with the years, but has it been replaced by a deep, all-constraining, and masterful devotion to our Lord? It is the Spirit's prerogative to shed abroad His love in our hearts and to teach us to love Him. But none of us can acquire that love without perpetually feeding on the Tree of Life, which is the emblem of Himself, Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14; Revelation 22:19. [source]
Chapter Summary: Revelation 2
1What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus, 8Smyrna, 12Pergamos, 18Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them
Greek Commentary for Revelation 2:3
Thou hast [εχεις] Continued possession of patience. [source]
Didst bear [εβαστασας] First aorist indicative of βασταζω bastazō repeated reference to the crisis in Revelation 2:2.And hast not grown weary (και ου κεκοπιακες kai ou kekopiakes). Perfect active indicative of κοπιαω kopiaō old verb, to grow weary (Matthew 6:28), play on the word κοπος kopos late form in ες ̇es for the regular ας ̇as (λελυκας lelukas). like απηκες aphēkes (Revelation 2:4) and πεπτωκες peptōkes (Revelation 2:5). “Tired in loyalty, not of it. The Ephesian church can bear anything except the presence of impostors in her membership” (Moffatt). [source]
And hast not grown weary [και ου κεκοπιακες] Perfect active indicative of κοπιαω kopiaō old verb, to grow weary (Matthew 6:28), play on the word κοπος kopos late form in ες ̇es for the regular ας ̇as like απηκες aphēkes (Revelation 2:4) and πεπτωκες peptōkes (Revelation 2:5). “Tired in loyalty, not of it. The Ephesian church can bear anything except the presence of impostors in her membership” (Moffatt). [source]
What do the individual words in Revelation 2:3 mean?
Andperseveranceyou havehave enduredfor the sake ofthenameof Menothave grown weary
Greek Commentary for Revelation 2:3
Continued possession of patience. [source]
First aorist indicative of βασταζω bastazō repeated reference to the crisis in Revelation 2:2.And hast not grown weary (και ου κεκοπιακες kai ou kekopiakes). Perfect active indicative of κοπιαω kopiaō old verb, to grow weary (Matthew 6:28), play on the word κοπος kopos late form in ες ̇es for the regular ας ̇as (λελυκας lelukas). like απηκες aphēkes (Revelation 2:4) and πεπτωκες peptōkes (Revelation 2:5). “Tired in loyalty, not of it. The Ephesian church can bear anything except the presence of impostors in her membership” (Moffatt). [source]
Perfect active indicative of κοπιαω kopiaō old verb, to grow weary (Matthew 6:28), play on the word κοπος kopos late form in ες ̇es for the regular ας ̇as like απηκες aphēkes (Revelation 2:4) and πεπτωκες peptōkes (Revelation 2:5). “Tired in loyalty, not of it. The Ephesian church can bear anything except the presence of impostors in her membership” (Moffatt). [source]