Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
He that overcometh (o nikwn). Nominative absolute as in Revelation 2:26, resumed by the accusative auton (him).
A pillar (stulon). Old word for column, in N.T. only here, Revelation 10:1; Galatians 2:9; I Timothy 3:15. Metaphorical and personal use with a double significance of being firmly fixed and giving stability to the building. Philadelphia was a city of earthquakes. "Temple" (naov) here is also metaphorical (Revelation 7:15), as in I Timothy 3:15 for the people of God. In Revelation 21:22 we read that there is no temple in the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-22:5) descending as the new Jerusalem with God himself as the temple, though the metaphorical temple is mentioned in Revelation 7:15.
He shall go out thence no more (ecw ou mh elqh). Strong double negative ou mh with the second aorist active subjunctive of erxomai. The subject is o nikwn (the one overcoming). "Fixity of character is at last achieved" (Charles). He, like the stulov (pillar), remains in place.
Upon him (ep auton). Upon o nikwn (the victor), not upon the pillar (stulov). He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead (Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 22:4) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead (Exodus 28:36, Exodus 28:38), the new name (Revelation 2:17), without any magical or talismanic power, but as proof of ownership by God, as a citizen of the New Jerusalem, with the new symbol of the glorious personality of Christ (Revelation 19:12), in contrast with the mark of the beast on others (Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:17). For citizenship in God's city see Galatians 4:26; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14.
The new Jerusalem (thv kainhv Ierousalhm). Not neav (young), but kainhv (fresh). See also Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22. Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ierousalhm (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10), but in John's Gospel ierosoluma (Revelation 1:19, etc.).
Which cometh down (h katabainousa). Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive polewv as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 2:20, etc.
Mine own new name (to onoma mou to kainon). For which see Revelation 2:17; Revelation 19:12, Revelation 19:16. Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 3:12:
1 Timothy 3:15
Revelation 1:5
Revelation 2:7
Revelation 2:17
Revelation 2:26
Revelation 3:12
Revelation 3:21
Revelation 5:9
Revelation 9:14
Revelation 10:1
Revelation 11:1
Revelation 11:19
Revelation 14:1
Revelation 15:5
Revelation 19:12
Revelation 21:2
Revelation 22:4
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