The Meaning of Revelation 3:8 Explained

Revelation 3:8

KJV: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

YLT: I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a door -- opened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name;

Darby: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an opened door, which no one can shut, because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I know  thy  works:  behold,  I have set  before  thee  an open  door,  and  no man  can  shut  it:  for  thou hast  a little  strength,  and  hast kept  my  word,  and  hast  not  denied  my  name. 

What does Revelation 3:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The 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 because of their small number. They had faithfully obeyed God"s Word, and they had maintained a faithful testimony for the Lord in the past, presumably by word and by deed. They also enjoyed the prospect of an open door into the messianic kingdom because they had been faithful. This may be the primary reference in view. [1]

Context Summary

Revelation 3:7-13 - Let No One Take Thy Crown
For those who have but a little strength, the Lord sets open a wide door. You may not be able to open the door, but you can enter it in His Name. Once He opens the door, all the opposition you may be called upon to encounter will not avail to shut it; and if He shuts the door against your adversaries, all their craft and strength will beat against its exterior in vain. Get Christ to shut the door against the tempting at would allure you from your allegiance, may be sorely beset, but He will keep them in the hour of trial. They shall not miss their crown, but shall become permanent and important constituents in the eternal Temple. "We have often stood to notice the strength and stability of a pillar in an old church. It has looked unmoved on generations that have grown from youth to age at its base, and so shall Christ's saints endure.
It is marvelous how much Christ can make of our poor lives, if only we yield to Him. It was said of a great statesman recently deceased, "He was a resounding example of what a great thing a great man may make of a life." But how much greater can Christ make a life, once a mere block of stone, but now inscribed with His own mystic handwriting and engraving! [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 3

1  The angel of the church of Sardis is reproved and exhorted to repent
7  The angel of the church of Philadelphia is approved for his diligence and patience;
14  the angel of Laodicea rebuked for being neither hot nor cold
20  Christ stands at the door and knocks

Greek Commentary for Revelation 3:8

I have set [δεδωκα]
Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi “I have given” (a gift of Christ, this open door). See Luke 12:51 for a like use of διδωμι — didōmi door opened Perfect (triple reduplication) passive predicate participle of ανοιγω — anoigō (Revelation 3:7) accusative feminine singular. The metaphor of the open door was a common one (John 10:7-9; Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:20; Revelation 4:1). Probably it means here a good opportunity for missionary effort in spite of the Jewish hostility. [source]
Which [ηναυτην]
Pleonastic vernacular and Hebrew repetition of the personal pronoun ην — autēn (it) after the relative οτι — hēn (which). Direct reference to the statement in Revelation 3:7.That (οιδα σου τα εργα — hoti). This conjunction resumes the construction of ιδουαυτην — oida sou ta erga (I know thy works) after the parenthesis (μικραν δυναμιν — idou- και ετηρησας — autēn Behold - shut).A little power Probably “little power,” little influence or weight in Philadelphia, the members probably from the lower classes (1 Corinthians 1:26.).And didst keep (τηρεω — kai etērēsas). “And yet (adversative use of ουκ ηρνησω — kai) didst keep” (first aorist active indicative of αρνεομαι — tēreō) my word in some crisis of trial. See John 17:6 for the phrase “keeping the word.”Didst not deny First aorist middle indicative second person singular of arneomai The issue was probably forced by the Jews (cf. Revelation 2:9), but they stood true. [source]
That [οιδα σου τα εργα]
This conjunction resumes the construction of ιδουαυτην — oida sou ta erga (I know thy works) after the parenthesis (μικραν δυναμιν — idou- και ετηρησας — autēn Behold - shut). [source]
A little power [και]
Probably “little power,” little influence or weight in Philadelphia, the members probably from the lower classes (1 Corinthians 1:26.).And didst keep (τηρεω — kai etērēsas). “And yet (adversative use of ουκ ηρνησω — kai) didst keep” (first aorist active indicative of αρνεομαι — tēreō) my word in some crisis of trial. See John 17:6 for the phrase “keeping the word.”Didst not deny First aorist middle indicative second person singular of arneomai The issue was probably forced by the Jews (cf. Revelation 2:9), but they stood true. [source]
And didst keep [τηρεω]
“And yet (adversative use of ουκ ηρνησω — kai) didst keep” (first aorist active indicative of αρνεομαι — tēreō) my word in some crisis of trial. See John 17:6 for the phrase “keeping the word.” [source]
Didst not deny [ouk ērnēsō)]
First aorist middle indicative second person singular of arneomai The issue was probably forced by the Jews (cf. Revelation 2:9), but they stood true. [source]
I have set [δέδωκα]
Lit., I have given. For a similar phrase see Luke 12:51. [source]
An open door [θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην]
Rev., more literally, a door opened. This is variously explained. Some refer it to the entrance into the joy of the Lord; others to the initiation into the meaning of scripture; others again to the opportunity for the mission-work of the Church. In this last sense the phrase is often used by Paul. See 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3. Compare Acts 14:27. I have given is appropriate, since all opportunities of service are gifts of God. See on Revelation 2:7. [source]
For thou hast [ὅτι ἔχεις]
Some texts make behold-shut parenthetical, and render ὅτι thatdefining thy works, etc. So Rev. [source]
A little strength [μικρὰν δύναμιν]
This would mean, thou hast some power, though small. Many, however, omit the indefinite article in translating, and render thou hast little strength; i.e., thou art poor in numbers and worldly resources. So Alford, Trench, and Düsterdieck. [source]
And [καὶ]
John's single copula instead of a particle of logical connection. See on John 1:10; see on John 6:46; see on 1 John 1:5; see on John 8:20. [source]
Hast kept my word [ἐτήρησάς μου τὸν λόγον]
Rev., rendering the aorist more strictly, didst keep. For the phrase, see John 17:6, John 17:8. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 3:8

Colossians 4:3 Door of utterance [θύραν τοῦ λόγου]
Rev., better, a door for the world. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 3:8. See also entering in, 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1. And the parallel passage, Ephesians 6:19. There may be an allusion to a release from imprisonment. [source]
Revelation 3:9 I will make [δίδωμι]
Rev., rightly, I give. See on Revelation 3:8. The sense is broken off there and resumed here. [source]
Revelation 2:7 Will I give []
This phrase has a place in every one of these Epistles. The verb is John's habitual word for the privileges and functions of the Son, whether as bestowed upon Him by the Father, or dispensed by Him to His followers. See John 3:35; John 5:22, John 5:27, John 5:36; John 6:65; John 13:3; John 17:6. Compare Revelation 2:23; Revelation 3:8; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3. [source]
Revelation 12:6 Where [οπουεκει]
Hebrew redundancy (where - there) as in Revelation 3:8; Revelation 8:9, Revelation 8:9; Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12; Revelation 17:9; Revelation 20:8.Prepared (ετοιμαζω — hētoimasmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of τοπος — hetoimazō for which verb see Matthew 20:23; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2, and for its use with απο του τεου — topos John 14:2. and for the kind of fellowship meant by it (Psalm 31:21; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 1:3).Of God “From (by) God,” marking the source as God (Revelation 9:18; James 1:13). This anticipatory symbolism is repeated in Revelation 12:13.That there they may nourish her (ινα — hina ekei trephōsin autēn). Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 2:2 I know [οιδα]
Rather than γινωσκω — ginōskō and so “emphasizes better the absolute clearness of mental vision which photographs all the facts of life as they pass” (Swete). So also in Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:19; Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:15. For the distinction see John 21:17, “where the universal knowledge passes into the field of special observation.” [source]
Revelation 2:7 The spirit [το πνευμα]
The Holy Spirit as in Revelation 14:13; Revelation 22:17. Both Christ and the Holy Spirit deliver this message. “The Spirit of Christ in the prophet is the interpreter of Christ‘s voice” (Swete).To him that overcometh (τωι νικωντι — tōi nikōnti). Dative of the present (continuous victory) active articular participle of νικαω — nikaō a common Johannine verb (John 16:33; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4.; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 21:7). Faith is dominant in Paul, victory in John, faith is victory (1 John 5:4). So in each promise to these churches.I will give Future active of διδωμι — didōmi as in Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:28; Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 21:6.To eat (παγειν — phagein). Second aorist active infinitive of εστιω — esthiō the tree of life (εκ του χυλου της ζωης — ek tou xulou tēs zōēs). Note εκ — ek with the ablative with παγειν — phagein like our “eat of” (from or part of). From Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. Again in Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:14 as here for immortality. This tree is now in the Garden of God. For the water of life see Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17 (Cf. John 4:10, John 4:13.).Which The χυλον — xulon (tree).In the Paradise of God (εν τωι παραδεισωι του τεου — en tōi paradeisōi tou theou). Persian word, for which see Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4. The abode of God and the home of the redeemed with Christ, not a mere intermediate state. It was originally a garden of delight and finally heaven itself (Trench), as here. [source]
Revelation 20:8 To gather them together to the war [συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον]
Second aorist active infinitive of purpose of συναγω — sunagō a congenial task for Satan after his confinement. See Revelation 16:14 for this very phrase and also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19.Of whom (ωναυτων — hōn- ως η αμμος της ταλασσης — autōn). Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Revelation 3:8 and often (of whom - of them).As the sand of the sea Already in Revelation 13:1. Clearly then the millennium, whatever it is, does not mean a period when Satan has no following on earth, for this vast host rallies at once to his standard. [source]
Revelation 20:8 Of whom [ωναυτων]
Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Revelation 3:8 and often (of whom - of them). [source]
Revelation 4:1 Opened [ηνεωιγμενη]
Perfect (triple reduplication) passive participle of ανοιγω — anoigō as in Revelation 3:8 (door of opportunity) and Revelation 3:20 (door of the heart), here the door of revelation (Swete). [source]
Revelation 7:9 Which no man could number [ον αριτμησαι αυτον ουδεις εδυνατο]
Redundant repetition of the pronoun αυτον — auton after the relative ον — hon as in Revelation 7:5; Revelation 3:8. Εδυνατο — Edunato imperfect indicative and αριτμησαι — arithmēsai first aorist active infinitive of αριτμεω — arithmeō old verb, in N.T. only here, Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7. See Revelation 5:9 (also Revelation 11:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 17:15) for the list of words after εκ — ek (the spiritual Israel carried on all over the world), “a polyglott cosmopolitan crowd” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 2:7 I will give [δωσω]
Future active of διδωμι — didōmi as in Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:28; Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 21:6.To eat (παγειν — phagein). Second aorist active infinitive of εστιω — esthiō the tree of life (εκ του χυλου της ζωης — ek tou xulou tēs zōēs). Note εκ — ek with the ablative with παγειν — phagein like our “eat of” (from or part of). From Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. Again in Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:14 as here for immortality. This tree is now in the Garden of God. For the water of life see Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17 (Cf. John 4:10, John 4:13.).Which The χυλον — xulon (tree).In the Paradise of God (εν τωι παραδεισωι του τεου — en tōi paradeisōi tou theou). Persian word, for which see Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4. The abode of God and the home of the redeemed with Christ, not a mere intermediate state. It was originally a garden of delight and finally heaven itself (Trench), as here. [source]
Revelation 20:8 Which are in the four corners of the earth [τα εν ταις τεσσαρσι γωνιαις της γης]
Clearly the reign with Christ, if on earth, was not shared in by all on earth, for Satan finds a large and ready following on his release. See Revelation 7:1 (Isaiah 11:12) for “the four corners of the earth.”Gog and Magog (τον Γωγ και Μαγωγ — ton Gōg kai Magōg). Accusative in explanatory apposition with τα ετνη — ta ethnē (the nations). Magog is first mentioned in Genesis 10:2. The reference here seems to be Ezekiel 38:2, where both are mentioned. Josephus (Ant. I. 6. 1) identifies Magog with the Scythians, with Gog as their prince. In the rabbinical writings Gog and Magog appear as the enemies of the Messiah. Some early Christian writers thought of the Goths and Huns, but Augustine refuses to narrow the imagery and sees only the final protest of the world against Christianity.To gather them together to the war Second aorist active infinitive of purpose of συναγω — sunagō a congenial task for Satan after his confinement. See Revelation 16:14 for this very phrase and also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19.Of whom (ωναυτων — hōn- ως η αμμος της ταλασσης — autōn). Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Revelation 3:8 and often (of whom - of them).As the sand of the sea Already in Revelation 13:1. Clearly then the millennium, whatever it is, does not mean a period when Satan has no following on earth, for this vast host rallies at once to his standard. [source]
Revelation 4:1 I saw [ειδον]
Second aorist active indicative of οραω — horaō Exclamation of vivid emotion as John looked. No effect on the structure and nominative case τυρα — thura (door) follows it.Opened (ηνεωιγμενη — ēneōigmenē). Perfect (triple reduplication) passive participle of ανοιγω — anoigō as in Revelation 3:8 (door of opportunity) and Revelation 3:20 (door of the heart), here the door of revelation (Swete).In heaven As in Ezekiel 1:1; Mark 1:10; John 1:51. In Revelation always in singular except Revelation 12:12.The first (η πρωτη — hē prōtē). Reference is to Revelation 1:10.Speaking From λαλεω — laleō rather λεγουσης — legousēs of Revelation 1:10 from λεγω — legō both agreeing with σαλπιγγος — salpiggos (trumpet).Saying (λεγων — legōn). Present active participle of λεγω — legō repeating the idea of λαλουσης — lalousēs but in the nominative masculine singular construed with πωνη — phōnē (feminine singular), construction according to sense because of the person behind the voice as in Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:14.Come up Short Koiné form for αναβητι — anabēthi (second aorist active imperative second person singular of αναβαινω — anabainō).Hither (ωδε — hōde). Originally “here,” but vernacular use (John 6:25; John 10:27).I will show Future active of δεικνυμι — deiknumi in same sense in Revelation 1:1.Hereafter (μετα ταυτα — meta tauta). Some editors (Westcott and Hort) connect these words with the beginning of Revelation 4:2. [source]
Revelation 7:2 From the sun-rising [απο ανατολης ηλιου]
Same phrase in Revelation 16:12. From the east, though why is not told. Swete suggests it is because Palestine is east of Patmos. The plural απο ανατολων — apo anatolōn occurs in Matthew 2:1 without ηλιου — hēliou (sun).The seal of the living God (σπραγιδα τεου ζωντος — sphragida theou zōntos). Here the signet ring, like that used by an Oriental monarch, to give validity to the official documents. The use of ζωντος — zōntos with τεου — theou accents the eternal life of God (Revelation 1:18; Revelation 10:6; Revelation 15:7) as opposed to the ephemeral pagan gods.To whom it was given For εδοτη — edothē see Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4, etc. The repetition of αυτοις — autois in addition to οις — hois (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koiné to some extent) often in the Apocalypse (Revelation 3:8). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches (Revelation 1:20).To hurt (αδικησαι — adikēsai). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω — adikeō subject of εδοτη — edothē common use of αδικεω — adikeō in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:11; Revelation 6:6 already), in Luke 10:19 also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them. [source]
Revelation 7:2 To whom it was given [οις εδοτη αυτοις]
For εδοτη — edothē see Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4, etc. The repetition of αυτοις — autois in addition to οις — hois (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koiné to some extent) often in the Apocalypse (Revelation 3:8). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches (Revelation 1:20).To hurt (αδικησαι — adikēsai). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω — adikeō subject of εδοτη — edothē common use of αδικεω — adikeō in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:11; Revelation 6:6 already), in Luke 10:19 also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 3:8 mean?

I know your - deeds Behold I have set before you a door having been opened which no one is able to shut it because little you have power and yet you have kept My - word and not have denied the name of Me
Οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην ἣν οὐδεὶς δύναται κλεῖσαι αὐτήν ὅτι μικρὰν ἔχεις δύναμιν καὶ ἐτήρησάς μου τὸν λόγον καὶ οὐκ ἠρνήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου

Οἶδά  I  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
σου  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἔργα  deeds 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
ἰδοὺ  Behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
δέδωκα  I  have  set 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
ἐνώπιόν  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐνώπιον  
Sense: in the presence of, before.
θύραν  a  door 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θύρα  
Sense: a door.
ἠνεῳγμένην  having  been  opened 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνοίγω 
Sense: to open.
οὐδεὶς  no  one 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οὐδείς 
Sense: no one, nothing.
δύναται  is  able 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δύναμαι  
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
κλεῖσαι  to  shut 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: κλείω  
Sense: to shut, shut up.
ὅτι  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
μικρὰν  little 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μικρός  
Sense: small, little.
ἔχεις  you  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
δύναμιν  power 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
καὶ  and  yet 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἐτήρησάς  you  have  kept 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: τηρέω  
Sense: to attend to carefully, take care of.
μου  My 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λόγον  word 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
ἠρνήσω  have  denied 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀρνέομαι  
Sense: to deny.
ὄνομά  name 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.