Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Revelation 2
Concise Complete
Epistles to the churches in Asia, with warnings and
encouragements, To the church at Ephesus; (1-7) at Smyrna; (8-11) at Pergamos;
(12-17) and at Thyatira. (18-29)
Verses 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. 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 want. 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 labour shall 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 men, yet we must show just
zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the
having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree
of it that at 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 Saviour considers this indifference as sinful. They must repent:
they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess
it in the sight of God. They must endeavour 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 as 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 shall have a glorious triumph and reward.
All who persevere, shall 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, take your wrestling life here, and
expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God
never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
Verses 8-11
Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him were all things made; he was before all
things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge
of all. As this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's
Brother and Friend, he must be rich in the deepest poverty, honourable amidst
the lowest abasement, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church
of Smyrna. Many who are rich as to this world, are poor as to 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 may be well borne; and when God's people are made poor as to
this life, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them
in spiritual riches. Christ arms against coming troubles. Fear none of these
things; not only forbid slavish fear, but subdue it, furnishing the soul with
strength and courage. It should be to try them, not to destroy them. Observe,
the sureness of the reward; "I will give thee:" they shall have the reward from
Christ's own hand. Also, how suitable it is; "a crown of life:" the life worn
out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with a much
better life, which shall be eternal. The second death is unspeakably worse than
the first death, both in the agonies of it, and as it is eternal death: it is
indeed awful to die, and to be always dying. If a man is kept from the second
death and wrath to come, he may patiently endure whatever he meets with in this
world.
Verses 12-17
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
apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their
stedfastness, 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 bodies of men, as well as
of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is
the promise of favour to those that 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 him.
Verses 18-29
Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought 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.
Here is praise of 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 connived at some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he
executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the
hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper. Encouragement is
given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to
despise the mystery of God, and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan.
Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of which those who know the least are the
most happy. How tender Christ is of his faithful servants! He lays nothing upon
his servants but what is for their good. There is promise of an ample reward to
the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to
their 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 Saviour.
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.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
