Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 3:4

"But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy." — Revelation 3:4 (ASV)

While the majority had departed from faithful obedience to Christ, a few at Sardis remained true. Here an allusion to the woolen industry at Sardis intensifies the image of soiled and defiled garments. Those with soiled garments were removed from the public lists of citizens in Sardis. In the pagan religions it was forbidden to approach the gods in garments that were soiled or stained. Soiling seems to be a symbol for mingling with pagan life and thus defiling the purity of one’s relation to Christ (14:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Corinthians 11:2;Jude 23). To “walk with Christ” symbolizes salvation and fellowship with him—something the others at Sardis had forfeited through their sin . “White” garments are symbolic of the righteousness, victory, and glory of God (Revelation 3:18; Revelation 6:11; 7:9, 13–14; Revelation 19:14). This passage shows that not all faithful Christians were martyrs, nor can we make emperor worship the sole source of the problems of the early Christians. Ironically, the Sardians were occupied with their outward appearance, but they were not concerned with inner purity toward Christ and their outward moral life in a pagan society.