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The Bible Study New Testament

Revelation 2:4

You do not love me. A very serious charge! Paul had planted the church here about 52 A.D. (Acts 18:19-21). This church was more than forty years old as Christ dictates the letter to John. A second generation has grown up who do not have the intense enthusiasm, spirit, and love which the first generation church had. Christ was not "real" to them. (Compare Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7; Judges 2:10.) They were fiercely zealous for truth, yet they did not love Christ! [This lack of love characterized the Pharisees. They were fanatics for truth (as they understood it) but despised everybody else (Luke 18:9-12). One who despises others, will come to despise God as well!]

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See also Revelation 2:4 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Revelation 2:4. _NEVERTHELESS I HAVE_ SOMEWHAT _AGAINST THEE_] The clause should be read, according to the Greek, thus: _But I have against_ _thee that thou hast left thy first love_. They did...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE - Notwithstanding this general commendation, there are things which I cannot approve. BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE - Thou hast “remitted” (ἀφῆκας a...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE, THE SEVEN CHURCH MESSAGES, AND THEIR PROPHETIC MEANING CHAPTER 2 _ 1. Ephesus: The post-apostolic period (Revelation 2:1)_ 2. Smyrna: The period of persecution (Revelati...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS. Revelation 2:1. Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Revelation 1:4 *). The worship of Artemis, for which it was notorious, is referred to in Act...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22. THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. These letters are addressed to individual churches, but their messages are intended for the Church as a whole. In every letter the...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    The church at _Ephesus_ was founded by Paul (Acts, XVIII. and XIX.); enjoyed the labors of Aquila and Priscilla, of Apollos and of Timothy; had at one time the presence of the great apostle for three...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE LETTER TO EPHESUS (Revelation 2:1-7)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. I know your works--I mean your...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HAST LEFT. didst leave. THY, &C. Compare Deuteronomy 7:7; Jeremiah 2:1; Jeremiah 2:2.Ezekiel 16:6. LOVE. App-135.

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _thy first love_ It is to be remembered that these words have not in ecclesiastical (or indeed in any) Greek the same sentimental associations as in English; nevertheless it is not unlikely that conju...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Church in Ephesus. Chap. Revelation 2:1-7 These seven Epistles are marked by certain features common to them all. (1) They are all dictated by the Lord Himself. (2) The command to write to the An...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Revelation 2:1-7. THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS The Seven Epistles are marked by certain features common to them all. (1) They are all dictated by the Lord Himself. (2) The command to write to the Angel of th...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΤῊΝ�. It is to be remembered that these words have not in ecclesiastical (or indeed in any) Greek the same sentimental associations as in English; nevertheless it is not unlikely that conjugal love is...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS REVELATION 2:1-7:_ The angle of the church is the messenger or preacher who would deliver the message. Paul had live and worked in Ephesus for three years. (Acts 20:31...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΧΩ (G2192) _praes. ind. act._ иметь, ΌΤ (G3754) это, вводит _прид._ прямого дополнения (GGBB, 454). ΚΑΤΆ (G2596) против, ΆΦΉΚΕΣ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΆΦΊΗΜΙ (G863) бросать, оставлять....

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2482 EPISTLE TO EPHESUS Revelation 2:2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apos...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE.— Not quite forsaken, but remitted and relaxed the former love and zeal; which is condemned, and for which they are dreadfully threatened; because the angel and his churc...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Strauss-' Comments SECTION 4 Text Revelation 2:1-7 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 t...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. SOMEWHAT ... BECAUSE - rather, 'I have against thee (this) that,' etc. Not a mere "somewhat:" it is everything. Ho...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ The Prophetic Section 20 The vision is figurative. The explanation is literal. _ It must not be further "explained_ ". The seven stars are seven messengers. The seven lamp stands are seven eccles...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE EPISTLES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22) Since 'seven' is the perfect number, the 'seven churches' represent all the Churches of the province of Asia. At the same time, t...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    FROM NOW TO THE END OF TIME REVELATION _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 2 LETTERS TO THE 7 *CHURCHES - REVELATION 2:1-3 TO THE *CHURCH IN EPHESUS - REVELATION 2:1-7...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE. — Better, _I have against thee that thou didst let go._ This is the fault, and it is no trifle which is blamed, as the word “somewhat” (which is not to be fo...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER II THE CHURCH ON THE FIELD OF HISTORY. Revelation 2:1; Revelation 3:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, He th...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Brotherly love, an early and authentic proof of the faith; as in Revelation 2:19; 2 John 1:5-6; 3 John 1:6, and the striking parallel of Matthew 24:12 ...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    RENEW THY FIRST LOVE Revelation 2:1 Each of these letters consists of three parts: 1. The introduction, specifying some characteristic from the vision of the preceding chapter, which is appropriate t...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The next movement in the Book consists of the unveiling of the Lord in His relation with the Asian churches, and therefore with His Church. It is impossible in such brief notes as these necessarily ar...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    THE CHURCH THAT ABANDONED ITS FIRST LOVE All the letters to the churches begin with a salutation to the angel of the church and a description of Jesus. One can readily see Jesus' authority over the ch...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Nevertheless I have [somewhat] (a) against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (a) To deal with you for....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    To the Angel of the church of Ephesus. The great St. Timothy, who was bishop of Ephesus, died a glorious martyr about this time. But as for the admonitions and reprehensions given in these letters, we...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    That God should have chosen John to be the instrument of communicating the closing volume of the New Testament is worthy of our consideration. It is not a new thing for God thus to set out the stronge...

  • John Brown Commentaries Selected Books of the Bible

    The Church in Ephesus There is only one sort of love, but there are a thousand copies.--Franחois de La Rochefoucauld I. INTRODUCTION A. Matthew 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The first great fact is, that the assembly in this world is subject to judgment, and to have its whole existence and place before God as light-bearer in the world set aside; secondly, that God will do...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NEVERTHELESS I HAVE [SOMEWHAT] AGAINST THEE,.... So the Jews represent God saying, concerning their fathers, "Abraham", c. יש לי עליהם, "I have something against them" a. Christ has nothing against h...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Nevertheless I have _somewhat_ against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Ver. 4. _Thou hast left thy first love_] Those first ripe fruits that Christ's soul desireth, Micah 7:1, that kindn...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Nevertheless, I have somewhat_ to allege _against thee_ Exemplary as thou art in many respects; or, as _somewhat_ is not in the original, the verse may be properly read, _I have against thee that tho...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    LEFT THY FIRST LOVE; for the abatement of which no steadfastness in outward services can be a compensation, since it is the heart that Christ desires....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The letter to the congregation at Ephesus:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE ADDRESS TO EPHESUS (vv. 1-7) Each local assembly is addressed on the basis of its responsibility as a testimony for God. Each of these assemblies actually existed and were functioning as assembl...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    EPHESUS (VERSES 1-7) The City The city of Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor and was one of the most important cities in the Roman world. It had a population of over 250,000. It was the “home” te...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-7 These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Ch...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE; something to accuse thee of, and blame thee for. BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE; of late thou hast not been so warm in the propagation of my gospel, a...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On Repentance the meaning of "what the Spirit saith to the churches." He imputes to the Ephesians "forsaken love; "[71]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless G235 have G2192 (G5719) against G2596 you G4675 that G3754 left G863 (G5656) your...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘But I have this against you that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and do the works that you did at first, or else I am coming to you and will remove your l...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22). The Son of Man now gives John messages to the seven churches. Each of them follows a general pattern. Firstly an introduction based...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Revelation 2:4. Commendation has been bestowed; the deserved blame that had been incurred now follows: NEVERTHELESS I HAVE AGAINST THEE THAT THOU DIDST LET GO THY FIRST LOVE. The Authorised Version is...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Reserving any remarks to be made upon the general structure of the Epistles to the seven churches of Asia, and upon their relation to one another, we only notice at present their position in the Apoca...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    THIS AGAINST THEE, THAT (κατα σου οτ). For the phrase "have against" see Matthew 5:23. The οτ clause is the object of εχω.THOU DIDST LEAVE (αφηκες). First aorist active (kappa aorist, but with -ε...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Revelation 2:4 What was Wrong in Ephesus. I. The spectacle Ephesus presented was that of a Church working most laboriously and patiently, the machinery kept steadily in motion, all at work and always...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Message to Ephesus concerning things «which are.» Their first love left. Message to Pergamos concerning false doctrines. Message to Smyrna concerning persecutions. Message to Thyatira concer...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Epistle the first._ Revelation 2:1. _The angel of the church of Ephesus,_ or the messenger of Christ; for the apostles, and apostolic men, while they remained in any church, were always regarded as t...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 2:1 Revelation 2:1 consists of seven “letters” or royal edicts. Each follows a pattern: (1) The royal author describes himself in terms from ch....

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 2:4 THE LOVE YOU HAD AT FIRST. Either the church’s early love for Christ or the believers’ love for one another. Both meanings may be intended (compare...

  • The Message from Patmos by David Scott Clark

    1. EPHESUS. Vs. 1-7. Ephesus, once a leading scene of Paul's ministry, became the home of John, and there tradition locates his sepulchre. He strikes a note of commendation by telling them that they h...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    REVELATIONS OF CHURCH LIFE _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 2:1. ANGEL.—If this be taken as the chief pastor of the Church, it is quite? possible that Timothy is the person addressed. HOLDE...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION REVELATION 3:1 _The epistles to the seven Churches. _Once more we have to consider rival interpretations. Of these we may safely set aside all those which make the seven letters to be pict...

  • The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages by Donald A. Koenig

    CHAPTER 2 - FIRST 4 LETTERS TO SEVEN CHURCHES Introduction to the seven letters: In chapter one we read what John saw when he was in the spirit and encountered the risen Lord. What John saw in the ri...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (Revelation 2:1); So the desc...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:10;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Somewhat. Not in the text, and unnecessary. The following clause is the object of I have. "I have against thee that thou hast left," etc. "It is indeed a somewhat which the Lord has against the Ephesi...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CHURCHES AT EPHESUS AND SMYRNA Revelation 2:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS In the second and third Chapter s of the Book of Revelation, God has recorded for us His messages to the seven Churches of Asia....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    But I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first love — That love for which all that church was so eminent when St. Paul wrote his epistle to them. He need not have left this. He might have reta...

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Old Testament