Matthew Henry Commentary Revelation 3:1-6

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep [it], and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 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. He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." — Revelation 3:1-6 (ASV)

The Lord Jesus is He who has the Holy Spirit with all His powers, graces, and operations. Hypocrisy and lamentable decay in religion are sins charged against Sardis by One who knew that church well, and all its works. Outward things appeared well to people, but there was only the form of godliness, not the power; a name to live, not a principle of life. There was great deadness in their souls and in their services; many were entirely hypocrites, while others were in a disordered and lifeless state.

Our Lord called upon them to be watchful against their enemies, and to be active and earnest in their duties; and to endeavor, in dependence on the grace of the Holy Spirit, to revive and strengthen the faith and spiritual affections of those still alive to God, though in a declining state. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground. Your works are hollow and empty; prayers are not filled with holy desires, almsdeeds are not filled with true charity, sabbaths are not filled with suitable devotion of soul to God.

There are no inward affections suitable to their outward acts and expressions; when the spirit is lacking, the form cannot long remain. In seeking a revival in our own souls, or in the souls of others, it is necessary to compare what we profess with the way we live, so that we may be humbled and stirred to hold fast to what remains. Christ enforces His counsel with a dire threat if it should be disregarded.

Yet our blessed Lord does not leave this sinful people without some encouragement. He makes honorable mention of the faithful remnant in Sardis, and He makes a gracious promise to them. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment; the purity of grace shall be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory. Christ has His book of life, a register of all who shall inherit eternal life; the book of remembrance of all who live for God and maintain the life and power of godliness in evil times.

Christ will bring forward this book of life, and present the names of the faithful before God and all the angels, on the great day.