The Meaning of Revelation 2:5 Explained

Revelation 2:5

KJV: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

YLT: remember, then, whence thou hast fallen, and reform, and the first works do; and if not, I come to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp-stand from its place -- if thou mayest not reform;

Darby: Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: but if not, I am coming to thee, and I will remove thy lamp out of its place, except thou shalt repent.

ASV: Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Remember  therefore  from whence  thou art fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  the first  works;  or else  I will come  unto thee  quickly,  and  will remove  thy  candlestick  out of  his  place,  except  thou repent. 

What does Revelation 2:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 2:1-7 - Renew Thy First Love
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 The exuberance of its emotion may have passed with the years, but has it been replaced by a deep, all-constraining, and masterful devotion to our Lord?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

1  What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8  Smyrna,
12  Pergamos,
18  Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them

Greek Commentary for Revelation 2:5

Remember [μνημονευε]
Present active imperative of μνημονευω — mnēmoneuō “continue mindful” (from μνημων — mnēmōn). [source]
Thou art fallen [πεπτωκες]
Perfect active indicative of πιπτω — piptō state of completion. Down in the valley, look up to the cliff where pure love is and whence thou hast fallen down.And repent (και μετανοησον — kai metanoēson). First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō urgent appeal for instant change of attitude and conduct before it is too late.And do First aorist active imperative of ποιεω — poieō “Do at once.”The first works (τα πρωτα εργα — ta prōta erga). Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12).Or else Elliptical condition, the verb not expressed Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.).To thee Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
And repent [και μετανοησον]
First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō urgent appeal for instant change of attitude and conduct before it is too late. [source]
And do [και ποιησον]
First aorist active imperative of ποιεω — poieō “Do at once.”The first works (τα πρωτα εργα — ta prōta erga). Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12).Or else Elliptical condition, the verb not expressed Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.).To thee Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
The first works [τα πρωτα εργα]
Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12). [source]
Or else [ει δε μη]
Elliptical condition, the verb not expressed Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.).To thee Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
I come [ερχομαι]
Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.). [source]
To thee [σοι]
Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
Will move [κινησω]
Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning. [source]
Except thou repent [εαν μη μετανοησηις]
Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
Thou art fallen [ἐκπέπτωκας]
Lit., hast fallen out. [source]
Will remove thy candlestick []
“Its candlestick has been for centuries removed out of his place; the squalid Mohammedan village which is nearest to its site does not count one Christian in its insignificant population; its temple is a mass of shapeless ruins; its harbor is a reedy pool; the bittern booms amid its pestilent and stagnant marshes; and malaria and oblivion reign supreme over the place where the wealth of ancient civilization gathered around the scenes of its grossest superstitions and its most degraded sins” (Farrar, “Life and Work of Paul,” ii., 43,44). John employs the verb κινέω remove(Rev., move ) only in Revelation, and only once besides the present instance, in Revelation 6:14, where, as here, it signifies moving in judgment. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Repent [μετανόησον]
See on Matthew 3:2; see on Matthew 21:29. [source]
I will come [ἔρχομαι]
Rev., correctly, I come. [source]
Quickly []
Omit. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 2:5

John 14:2 Mansions [μοναι]
Old word from μενω — menō to abide, abiding places, in N.T. only here and John 14:23. There are many resting-places in the Father‘s house Christ‘s picture of heaven here is the most precious one that we possess. It is our heavenly home with the Father and with Jesus. If it were not so Ellipsis of the verb (Mark 2:21; Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16; John 14:11). Here a suppressed condition of the second class (determined as unfulfilled) as the conclusion shows. I would have told you Regular construction for this apodosis For I go Reason for the consolation given, futuristic present middle indicative, and explanation of his words in John 13:33 that puzzled Peter so (John 13:36.). To prepare a place for you First aorist active infinitive of purpose of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō to make ready, old verb from ετοιμος — hetoimos Here only in John, but in Mark 10:40 (Matthew 20:23). It was customary to send one forward for such a purpose (Numbers 10:33). So Jesus had sent Peter and John to make ready (this very verb) for the passover meal (Mark 14:12; Matthew 26:17). Jesus is thus our Forerunner (προδρομος — prodromos) in heaven (Hebrews 6:20). [source]
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars [το μυστηριον των επτα αστερων]
On the word μυστηριον — mustērion see note on Matthew 13:11; and note on 2 Thessalonians 2:7; and note on Colossians 1:26. Here it means the inner meaning (the secret symbol) of a symbolic vision (Swete) as in Revelation 10:7; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:7, Revelation 17:9; Daniel 2:47. Probably the accusative absolute (Charles), “as for the mystery” (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 490, 1130), as in Romans 8:3. This item is picked out of the previous vision (Revelation 1:16) as needing explanation at once and as affording a clue to what follows (Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:5). [source]
Revelation 2:3 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]
Revelation 2:3 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]
Revelation 2:16 I come [ερχομαι]
Futuristic present middle indicative, “I am coming” (imminent), as in Revelation 2:5 with ταχυ — tachu as in Revelation 3:11; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. As with εν ταχει — en tachei (Revelation 1:1), we do not know how soon “quickly” is meant to be understood. But it is a real threat.Against them (μετ αυτων — met' autōn). This proposition with πολεμεω — polemeō rather than κατα — kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete).With Instrumental use of εν — en For the language see Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 19:15. [source]
Revelation 22:7 And behold, I come quickly [και ιδου ερχομαι ταχυ]
Christ is the speaker, either through this angel or more probably directly from Christ without introduction as in Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:16. About Christ coming quickly see Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 16:15, and already in Revelation 1:2. Once more we must recall that ταχυ — tachu and εν ταχει — en tachei are according to God‘s time, not ours (2 Peter 3:8). [source]
Revelation 3:3 Remember [μνημονευε]
“Keep in mind,” as in Revelation 2:5. [source]
Revelation 3:3 Therefore [ουν]
Resumptive and coordinating as in Revelation 1:19; Revelation 2:5.Thou hast received (ειληπας — eilēphas). Perfect active indicative of λαμβανω — lambanō “as a permanent deposit” (Vincent).Didst hear First aorist active indicative, the act of hearing at the time.And keep it (και τηρει — kai tērei). Present active imperative of τηρεω — tēreō “hold on to what thou hast.”And repent First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō “Turn at once.”If therefore thou shalt not watch (εαν ουν μη γρηγορησηις — ean oun mē grēgorēsēis). Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē and the first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of γρηγορεω — grēgoreō “if then thou do not wake up.”I will come Certainly future active here, though probably aorist subjunctive in Revelation 2:25.As a thief (ως κλεπτης — hōs kleptēs). As Jesus had already said (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), as Paul had said (1 Thessalonians 5:2), as Peter had said (2 Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Revelation 16:15).Thou shalt not know Strong double negative ου μη — ou mē with second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō though some MSS. have the future middle indicative γνωσηι — gnōsēi hour A rare classical idiom (accusative) surviving in the Koiné rather than the genitive of time, somewhat like John 4:52; Acts 20:16 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 470f.). Indirect question with ποιαν — poian f0). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 2:5 mean?

Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent the first works do If however not I am coming to you I will remove the lampstand of you out of the place of it if not you should repent
μνημόνευε οὖν πόθεν πέπτωκας καὶ μετανόησον τὰ πρῶτα ἔργα ποίησον εἰ δὲ μή ἔρχομαί σοι κινήσω τὴν λυχνίαν σου ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτῆς ἐὰν μὴ μετανοήσῃς

μνημόνευε  Remember 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: μνημονεύω  
Sense: to be mindful of, to remember, to call to mind.
πόθεν  from  where 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πόθεν  
Sense: of place: from where, from what condition.
πέπτωκας  you  have  fallen 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: πίπτω 
Sense: to descend from a higher place to a lower.
μετανόησον  repent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: μετανοέω  
Sense: to change one’s mind, i.
πρῶτα  first 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πρῶτος  
Sense: first in time or place.
ἔργα  works 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἔρχομαί  I  am  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
σοι  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
κινήσω  I  will  remove 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: κινέω  
Sense: to cause to go, i.e. to move, set in motion.
λυχνίαν  lampstand 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: λυχνία  
Sense: a (candlestick) lamp stand, candelabrum.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
τόπου  place 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: τόπος 
Sense: place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space.
αὐτῆς  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
μετανοήσῃς  you  should  repent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: μετανοέω  
Sense: to change one’s mind, i.