Matthew Henry Commentary Revelation 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Revelation 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Revelation 2
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name`s sake, and hast not grown weary. But I have [this] against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God." — Revelation 2:1-7 (ASV)
These churches were in such different states regarding purity of doctrine and the power of godliness that the words of Christ to them will always suit the circumstances of other churches and believers. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet He walks in the midst of His churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them and what they lack. The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty.
Christ keeps an account of every hour's work His servants do for Him, and their labor will not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience. And though we must show all meekness to all people, yet we must show righteous zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with is not having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that first appeared.
Christ is displeased with His people when He sees them grow remiss and cold toward Him. Surely, this mention in Scripture of Christians forsaking their first love reproves those who speak of it with carelessness and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Savior considers this indifference sinful. They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful decline, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavor to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly and watch as diligently as when they first set out in the ways of God.
If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of His displeasure. Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we will have a glorious triumph and reward.
All who persevere will derive from Christ, as the Tree of Life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly. This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the Garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven, and the looking forward to them in this world by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit. Believers, accept your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not until then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived [again]: I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." — Revelation 2:8-11 (ASV)
Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him all things were made; he was before all things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge of all. Since this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's Brother and Friend, the believer must be rich in the deepest poverty, honourable amidst the lowest humiliation, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church of Smyrna. Many who are rich in this world are poor in the next; and some who are poor outwardly are inwardly rich—rich in faith, in good works, rich in privileges, rich in gifts, rich in hope.
Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty can be borne well; and when God's people are made poor in this life for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes it all up to them in spiritual riches. Christ arms them against coming troubles. Fear none of these things; do not merely forbid slavish fear, but actively subdue it, thus furnishing the soul with strength and courage.
These troubles are meant to test them, not to destroy them. Observe the sureness of the reward; I will give thee: they will receive the reward from Christ's own hand. Also, observe how suitable it is; a crown of life: the life worn out in his service, or laid down for his cause, will be rewarded with a much better life, which will be eternal. The second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in its agonies and because it is eternal death. It is indeed awful to die and yet to be always dying.
If someone is kept from the second death and the wrath to come, they can patiently endure whatever they encounter in this world.
"and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan`s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it." — Revelation 2:12-17 (ASV)
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way, but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes.
In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostasy or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their steadfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew.
Repentance is the duty of churches and groups of people, as well as of individuals; those who sin together should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those who overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ come down from heaven into the soul for its support.
This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by them.
"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass: I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first. But I have [this] against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden. Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." — Revelation 2:18-29 (ASV)
The Lord knows when the works of His people are performed in love, faith, zeal, and patience. Yet, if His eyes—which are as a flame of fire—observe them committing or allowing what is evil, He will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Praise is given here for the ministry and people of Thyatira by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better.
All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church tolerated some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments He executes; and by this judgment upon these seducers, He shows His certain knowledge of human hearts—of their principles, designs, character, and disposition. Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled.
It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God, and just as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan; those who know the least about them are the happiest. How tender Christ is toward His faithful servants! He lays nothing upon His servants except what is for their good.
An ample reward is promised to the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to the believer's power and dominion. Christ brings day with Him into the soul—the light of grace and of glory—in the presence and enjoyment of Him, their Lord and Savior. After every victory, let us follow up our advantage against the enemy, that we may overcome and keep the works of Christ to the end.
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