BibleTools
Revelation 3:1
Compare all

The Dead Church

1 “And to the1 angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who ahas the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before1 God.  
3 aRemember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and brepent. cTherefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you das a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.  
4 You have aa few names even in Sardis who have not bdefiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me cin white, for they are worthy.  
5 He who overcomes ashall be clothed in white garments, and I will not bblot out his name from the cBook of Life; but dI will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  
Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
<< Revelation 2:29   Revelation 3:2 >>


Revelation 3:1

In Sardis (en Sardesin). Some thirty miles south-east of Thyatira, old capital of Lydia, wealthy and the home of Croesus, conquered by Cyrus and then by Alexander the Great, in BC 214 by Antiochus the Great, at the crossing of Roman roads, in a plain watered by the river Pactolus, according to Pliny the place where the dyeing of wool was discovered, seat of the licentious worship of Cybele and the ruins of the temple still there, called by Ramsay (op. cit., p. 354) "the city of Death," city of softness and luxury, of apathy and immorality, "a contrast of past splendour and present unresting decline" (Charles). Along with Laodicea it was blamed most of all the seven churches.

That hath the seven Spirits of God (o exwn ta epta pneumata tou qeou). For which picture of the Holy Spirit see Revelation 1:4.

And the seven stars (kai touv epta asterav). As in Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:20.

A name that thou livest (onoma oti zhv). A name in contrast with reality. The oti clause in apposition with onoma.

And thou art dead (kai nekrov ei). "The paradox of death under the name of life" (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (verse Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; II Corinthians 6:9; II Timothy 3:5.




Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 3:1:

Revelation 1:4
Revelation 2:1
Revelation 2:2
Revelation 4:5
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 16:5
Revelation 21:5

 

<< Revelation 2:29   Revelation 3:2 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,174+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page