Note here, 1. That the church of Ephesus, with the other six churches of Asia, were, at the time of St. John's writing, very flourishing churches, favoured as much with the special presence influence of Christ as ever any churches were. Note, 2. That these churches are written to as. sort of types... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. general declaration which stands in the front of the several epistles, I KNOW THY WORKS, both thy inward and outward works, to observe and mark them, to punish or reward them, as the case requires. This proves the divinity of Christ, that he is truly and essentially God; he knows th... [ Continue Reading ]
We had Christ's commendation and reprehension of the church of Ephesus before, we have this admonition and exhortation now. The words before us are partly monitory, and partly minatory; monitory in the former part of the verse, REMEMBER FROM WHENCE THOU ART FALLEN AND REPENT. Note here, That Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "Though thou art not what thou shouldest be, yet this thou hast commendable in thee, that thou shouldest be, yet this thou hast commendable in thee, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, (who held community of wives, and ate things offered to idols,) which impure sect... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "Let all that hear and read these words unto the churches, which the Holy Spirit has uttered, consider them, and set their hearts to regard them as matters of great importance, and which nearly concern them." Observe, That this form of speech, HE THAT HATH AN EAR TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR, Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have the second epistle, which St. John wrote by the command of Christ to the Church of Smyrna,. famous city in one of the provinces of Asia, where Polycarp was bishop, and suffered martyrdom. Now in this epistle we have these particulars considerable. 1. The description which Christ is pl... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses is contained the third epistle, which St. John by direction had written and sent to the church of Pergamos, in which (as in the former) we have, 1. description of Christ, as having. sharp two-edged sword in his mouth; denoting the word of God, and that piercing power which accompani... [ Continue Reading ]
The next epistle is directed by Christ, and written by St. John, to the church of Thyatira; in which epistle observe, 1. The name given to Christ, he is styled the Son of God; that is, by eternal generation, being the only-begotten of the Father, as well as begotten of the Father only; and partaker... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Christ returns to his counsel and charge given to the church at Thyatira, UNTO YOU. SAY: that is, to you the angel, the governors and pastors, and to all the members of the church;. say unto you all, who have not owned nor entertained these doctrines of the Gnostics, who proudly call their filt... [ Continue Reading ]