Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 2:12

"and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:" — Revelation 2:12 (ASV)

Pergamos.—Unlike Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamos was not distinguished as a commercial city. Its importance was due to other causes. A striking cone-shaped hill rose from the plain which bordered the northern banks of the Caicus. The hill was considered sacred. Its value as a strong natural fortress was early recognized, and it was used as a keep and treasury where local chieftains deposited their wealth.

Its greatness as a city dated from Eumenes II., who was given by the Romans a large surrounding territory, and who fixed Pergamos as his royal residence.

Under his auspices a splendid city—rich in public buildings, temples, art galleries, and with a library which rivaled that of Alexandria—rose into being. It has been described as a city of temples, “a sort of union of a pagan cathedral city, a university town, and a royal residence.” It retained its splendor even after it passed by bequest to the Roman Republic, and was declared by Pliny to be a city unrivaled in the province of Asia.

Sharp sword with two edges.—See Note on Revelation 1:16. The appropriateness of this language to the state of the church in Pergamos will best appear afterwards. (See Note on Revelation 2:15-16.)