This chapter contains the epistles to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira. It begins with that to Ephesus, in which the sender of it describes himself by some of his characters mentioned in the preceding chapter; takes notice of some things commendable in this church, Rev.

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write Of the city of Ephesus, (See Gill on Rev. 1:11) and (See Gill on Acts 18:19). The church here seems to have been founded by the Apostle Paul, who continued here two years, by which means all Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, ; of this church, (See…

I know thy works The good works, both of ministers and churches; no evil works are mentioned, nor anything complained of in this church but an abatement of the fervour of her first love.

And hast borne Not evil men, nor false apostles, but “burdens”, as the Ethiopic version reads, and as the word signifies; meaning afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions, which pressed sore, and lay heavy on these ministers and churches; and yet they bore them with constancy and cheerfulness, and…

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee So the Jews represent God saying, concerning their fathers, “Abraham” (יש לי עליהם) , “I have something against them” [[0]].

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen Believers cannot totally and finally fall away from the grace which they have received; but they may fall into sin, and from a degree of grace, and the exercise of it, as these first and pure churches did, from some degree of their love to God, and…

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans Though these Christians had left their first love, yet they bore an hatred to the filthy and impure practices of some men, who were called “Nicolaitans”; who committed fornication, adultery, and all uncleanness, and had their wives…

He that hath an ear Such who have new ears given them, as all have who are made new creatures; such who have their ears circumcised, and opened by the Spirit of God; who hear with understanding, affection, and faith; who try what they hear, and approve, embrace, and retain that which is good.

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write Of the city of Smyrna, (See Gill on Rev. 1:11). That there was a church of Christ here is not to be doubted, though by whom it was founded is not certain; very likely by the Apostle Paul, who was in those parts, and by whose means all Asia heard the…

I know thy works Good works, as before in ; and tribulation; this is Christ’s legacy to his people, and which lies in their way to heaven; and never was the way of any to heaven more strewed with it than was the way of the saints in this period.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer God’s people undergo sufferings of various sorts, as the Christians of those times did, scourgings, imprisonment, confiscation of goods, and death itself in various shapes; and these are certain, they shall suffer them; they are all known beforehand…

He that hath an ear, let him hear (See Gill on Rev. 2:7); he that overcometh; and is not intimidated by poverty, confiscation of goods, tribulation, persecution, and death itself, but through Christ is a conqueror, and more than a conqueror over all these things: shall not be hurt of the second…

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write Of the city of Pergamos, (See Gill on Rev. 1:11). In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, ; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it.

I know thy works Both good and bad, and which in that pure part of this church, which opposed the growing corruptions of antichrist, were for the most part good. And where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is.

But I have a few things against thee The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a…

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans These impure heretics sprung up in the time of the apostolic church, but their doctrines were not received, and their deeds were hated, see .

Repent This is said to those who were truly godly in those times, but still retained their communion with these corrupt men, and had not, as yet, separated from then; nor had they protested against these evil doctrines and practices, at least but very coldly, and had too much connived at them; and…

He that hath an ear, let him hear (See Gill on Rev. 2:7). To him that overcometh; the Balaamites and Nicolaitans, and do not give in to the doctrines and practices of the one, or of the other, whatever persecution and trouble he meets with, and endures on that account: will I give to eat of the…

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write Of the city of Thyatira, (See Gill on Rev. 1:11); a church was formed here very likely by the Apostle Paul; Lydia was a native of this place, who, and her household were converted and baptized by him at Philippi, ; though Epiphanius [[19]] seems to…

I know thy works Good works, as appears from the particular enumeration of them afterwards, and the commendation of proficiency in them, the last being more than the first, and the distinction from the evil ones in ; this is said to the faithful followers and professors of Christ in this interval:…

Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee By way of complaint; so the Arabic version renders it, “I have a certain complaint against thee”. The impartiality of Christ may be observed in taking notice of the bad deeds, as well as of the good ones of his people, and his tenderness in…

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication Of idolatry. This may have respect to the time of the witnesses, the Waldenses, and others, who bore a testimony against the Romish idolatry, and reproved for it, and denounced the judgment of God in case of impenitence; and as these things were…

Behold, I will cast her into a bed Of sickness and languishing; and which denotes the sickly, pining, and languishing state of the church of Rome, as a just retaliation for her bed of luxury and deliciousness, adultery and idolatry, she had indulged herself in; this was threatened, and was yet to…

And I will kill her children with death Her popes, cardinals, priests, Jesuits, monks, friars, and all that join in the Romish apostasy, they shall be killed with death; there shall be an utter extirpation of them in God’s own time; or they shall be killed with the second death: (מותנא) , when used…

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira The copulative and is left out in the Alexandrian copy and Complutensian edition, and if retained, it may be rendered thus, “even unto the rest”; the persons spoken to are the same, the pastor of this church, with his colleagues, and all the rest of…

But that which ye have already Which was something good, even the faithful word, the form of sound words, the mystery and doctrine of faith; this they had received from Christ and his apostles; they had it in their hearts, and a comfortable experience of the truth and power of it, and had made a…

And he that overcometh Jezebel and her idolatries, her children, and all that commit adultery with her; such as are not drawn into the same evil practices with them, but bravely stand their ground against the Romish antichrist and his followers, and bear their testimony against his impious…

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron Either with the Gospel, which is the rod of Christ’s strength, and is the power of God unto salvation, and by which the kingdom of Christ is enlarged, and the power of the church of Christ over the antichristian party is increased; or it may design great…

And I will give him the morning star. ] So Christ is called, ; and here it designs an illustrious appearance of Christ at the close of this church state, and a communication of much light and grace from him, which introduced the Sardian church state, or the reformation by Luther, Calvin which is…

He that hath an ear, let him hear (See Gill on Rev. 2:7).