A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 3:12

"He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name." — Revelation 3:12 (ASV)

He that overcometh (ο νικων). Nominative absolute as in 2:26, resumed by the accusative αυτον (him).

A pillar (στυλον). Old word for column, in N.T. only here, 10:1; Galatians 2:9; 1 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" (ναος) here is also metaphorical (7:15), as in 1 Timothy 3:15 for the people of God. In 21:22 we read that there is no temple in the heavenly Jerusalem (21:10-22:5) descending as the new Jerusalem with God himself as the temple, though the metaphorical temple is mentioned in 7:15.

He shall go out thence no more (εξω ου μη ελθη). Strong double negative ου μη with the second aorist active subjunctive of ερχομα. The subject is ο νικων (the one overcoming). "Fixity of character is at last achieved" (Charles). He, like the στυλος (pillar), remains in place.

Upon him (επ' αυτον). Upon ο νικων (the victor), not upon the pillar (στυλος). He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead (14:1; 7:3; 17:5; 22:4) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead (Exodus 28:36,38), the new name (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 (13:17; 14:17). For citizenship in God's city see Ga 4:26; Php 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22; 13:14.

The new Jerusalem (της καινης Ιερουσαλημ). Not νεας (young), but καινης (fresh). See also 21:2,10 and already Ga 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 Ιερουσαλημ (3:12; 21:2,10), but in John's Gospel Hιεροσολυμα (1:19, etc.).

Which cometh down (η καταβαινουσα). Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive πολεως as in 1:5; 2:20, etc.

Mine own new name (το ονομα μου το καινον). For which see 2:17; 19:12,16. Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann).