Oecumenius — Commentary on Scripture

Revelation 2:13

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

He says where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. For all of Asia is indeed full of idols, especially Pergamum. But he also says that dwelling in such a place, you have kept my faith unshaken, not deviating at all toward the evil counsel of the many, but even opposing it during the days and festivals of the idols, as my faithful witness who has spoken boldly in my name says, you came as far as you could against those plotting, guarding the truth until death. And since he also touches on the most holy covenant, and we all sin greatly according to what is written to you (James 3:2), and yet being such, he says, "I have the right to accuse."

Revelation 2:14-15

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

For you have some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. So you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in the same way. Balak, therefore, taught him in the manner of a teacher who became guide to Balaam. According to both Balaam and Balak, the story is clearly established in the book of Numbers, which is the book of Numbers written by the wisest Moses. Josephus records that by the counsel of Balaam, the Midianites were sent against Israel into fornication, calling them to apostasy from God. He says that those who come from Nicolaus do such things and you do not drive them away from yourself.

Revelation 2:16

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Then he says, Repent therefore; if not, I will come to you soon and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. O depth of the riches and wisdom, and goodness of God. (Rom. 11:33) For he did not say, "I am coming to fight against you," but rather, "I will fight against them," clearly referring to the Nicolaitans. For he spared among those in Pergamum who were faithful and devout.

Revelation 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna of the mystery. He said, in an indirect way, that he would grant him to be filled with the intelligible and future goods.

and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except the one who receives it. For it has been said, "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor. 2:9)

Revelation 2:18

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

The declaration of the proper title [προσηγορίας] is made clearer by the one who communicates with the evangelist.

He says, These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, symbolizing the awe-inspiring and threatening judgment against sinners.

And His feet are like gleaming bronze, symbolizing the firmness of faith in him and unwavering steadfastness, or the spiritual fragrance of the evangelical doctrines as described above.

Revelation 2:19

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

He said, I know your works, your love and faith and service, just as he said, I praise all your efforts. For he puts "I know," instead of, "I praise," like, "I know you to be spoken of among all men" to Moses, (Ex. 33:12) and "the Lord knows the way of the righteous." (Ps. 1:6) And he says that service is assistance to those in need.

And he says that your latter works exceed the first; it shows that as they went on, they themselves became greater in fulfilling the commandments.

Revelation 2:20

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

But I have this against you; this is to show that only God is completely blameless.

What do I have against you? That you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, that you do not persecute [διώκεις] her. From Jezebel, who dwelt with Ahab, she who is continually a demonstration of wickedness. She says that she herself is a prophetess; she teaches and leads many astray into fornication and eating food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:21-23

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

She who calls herself a prophetess; she teaches and leads many astray to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. This means either sensual fornication or the apostasy from God, according to what has been said: "and they committed fornication in their practices" (Ps. 106:39); and again "they committed adultery with the trees." (Jer. 3:9) But the Lord, not wishing the death of the sinner, but rather repentance and life, says that He has given her an opportunity for repentance. But if she refuses to repent, then I will do these things to her and those who commit adultery with her, so that all may know that I am God.

For God who searches mind and heart. For it is said, "For God searches the minds and hearts," (Jer. 17:10)

Revelation 2:24-25

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

They have nothing in common with the adulterous woman; being simpler and not knowing the schemes of the wicked, for this reason, they say: I will not impose any further burden on you; simplicity is sufficient for you. But you must continue in the teaching what you have received until my second coming.

Revelation 2:26-27

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

And to the one who overcomes the evil one, I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. This is what is spoken of in the Gospels by those who have well managed the trusts and the talents entrusted to them. "Be in charge of ten cities"; and there will "be another in charge of five cities." (see Luke 19:17,19) And to Daniel, "and the kingdom shall be given to the saints of God." (Dan. 7:22) For it indicates a certain beginning and authority given to the saints over those who are inferior and in need of guidance. Therefore, he says that he shepherds them with strict authority, but the disobedient he will crush like earthenware vessels.

Revelation 2:28

And I will give him the morning star.

And I will give him the morning star, says the prophet concerning the Assyrian or Satan, "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!" (Isa. 14:12) He is still called the morning star; therefore, he says, I will give Satan into the hand of my servants. Similar to what is said by the apostle: "God will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Rom. 16:20) And, "on an asp and a basilisk you will tread, and you will trample a lion and a dragon." (Ps. 90:13)

Revelation 3:1

And unto 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 art dead.

Concerning the seven stars, which are now also called the spirits of God, it has been said in the preceding passages; but now you must listen to what he says about those in Sardis.

He says, I know your works, that you have a name like you are alive, and you have the life according to God, the virtuous life, but you are dead because of your sins. For to be called dead in sins is the custom according to the divine Scripture, as is shown by what is written concerning those who have turned from unbelief to the faith in Christ by the most wise Paul: "And you, being dead in your trespasses, He made alive together with Christ." (Eph. 2:5) And the Shepherd says that some have descended into the water of the pool [baptism], obviously dead, and have risen alive.

Revelation 3:2

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

But he says, Awaken from the sleep of sin and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. Moreover, he says, short tasks and incomplete practices remain for you, having not fully died. Therefore, guard these things while alive, flowing already toward death. For to strengthen means to stabilize and support what is slack and prone to collapse. For none of your efforts is complete, but some have died, and others are about to die. Therefore, how you have received the faith and heard the word concerning it, and some of your works still live in your life. But repent concerning those that have died.

Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

If therefore you will not watch, he says, and become like one who rises from sleep in sluggishness, I will come to you as a punisher when you do not expect it. The holy apostle also speaks concerning other matters: "But when they say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman." (1 Thess. 5:3)

Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

He says, Nevertheless, you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy, whom I say I am now postponing and patiently enduring for you. The garments not defiled refer to the bodies of the saints according to what was said by the patriarch Jacob; he washes his robe in wine (Gen. 49:11); and Isaiah says the same: Why are your garments red, as if they were stained in a winepress? (Isa. 63:2-3) The white garment thus symbolizes the purity of the body.

Revelation 3:5

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The one who overcomes is said to be clothed with white garments in the coming age. For indeed, he himself promises in the Gospels that the saints will shine like the sun and the moon (Matt. 13:43); but the pure ones are said to be written in the book of life, that blessed and everlasting life. The Lord mentioned this inscription also in the Gospels, saying to His disciples: "Do not rejoice that the demons are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven." (Luke 10:20) And he says, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He will confess them as faithful servants and as favorable household servants. For it is also said in the Gospels: "Whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in Heaven." (Matt. 10:32) And to speak concerning the Father and His angels does not exclude that the holy angels are also His; for sometimes they are of the Father, and sometimes of Himself. For it is said in Matthew: "Then the Son of Man will send out his angels with a great trumpet call; and they will gather his elect from the…

The one who overcomes is said to be clothed with white garments in the coming age. For indeed, he himself promises in the Gospels that the saints will shine like the sun and the moon (Matt. 13:43); but the pure ones are said to be written in the book of life, that blessed and everlasting life. The Lord mentioned this inscription also in the Gospels, saying to His disciples: "Do not rejoice that the demons are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven." (Luke 10:20)

And he says, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He will confess them as faithful servants and as favorable household servants. For it is also said in the Gospels: "Whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in Heaven." (Matt. 10:32) And to speak concerning the Father and His angels does not exclude that the holy angels are also His; for sometimes they are of the Father, and sometimes of Himself. For it is said in Matthew: "Then the Son of Man will send out his angels with a great trumpet call; and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." (Matt. 24:31)

Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

To those in Philadelphia, it says, write: These things says the Holy one, the True one. The Holy one is indeed the Son of God. Then this is also testified by the Seraphim, who unite a threefold "holy" into one lordship, having nothing earthly or sinful, even though the Word became flesh. "For he committed no sin. Nor was deceit found in his mouth," according to the voice of the prophet Isaiah. (Isa. 53:9) And it is true that it is also said, the True one; and He also is called God, and the title is not false. For God is truly Emmanuel, even if the accursed Nestorius does not wish this; He became man without ceasing to be God, and He is truly man, even if the God-hated Eutyches finds this difficult. Which is truly the case, and nothing but a matter of fact, not as the Nestorians claim by way of allegory, nor as the Eutychians assert by opinion or imagination, nor the accursed and detestable race of the Manichaeans. He says He who holds the key of David. To hold the key means to hold authority. For the one entrusted with the key of the house is given the authority to open and to shut…

To those in Philadelphia, it says, write: These things says the Holy one, the True one. The Holy one is indeed the Son of God. Then this is also testified by the Seraphim, who unite a threefold "holy" into one lordship, having nothing earthly or sinful, even though the Word became flesh. "For he committed no sin. Nor was deceit found in his mouth," according to the voice of the prophet Isaiah. (Isa. 53:9) And it is true that it is also said, the True one; and He also is called God, and the title is not false. For God is truly Emmanuel, even if the accursed Nestorius does not wish this; He became man without ceasing to be God, and He is truly man, even if the God-hated Eutyches finds this difficult. Which is truly the case, and nothing but a matter of fact, not as the Nestorians claim by way of allegory, nor as the Eutychians assert by opinion or imagination, nor the accursed and detestable race of the Manichaeans.

He says He who holds the key of David. To hold the key means to hold authority. For the one entrusted with the key of the house is given the authority to open and to shut. And this is clearly demonstrated in the Gospels in the promises made to Peter. "For I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:19) Since therefore the key signifies authority, the one who holds the key of David clearly indicates that just as David reigned over the physical Israel, so too I reign over both the physical and the spiritual Israel, although the nature of the authority is exchanged with incomparable superiority. For what equality is there between man and God? This was also proclaimed by the divine angel Gabriel to the virgin concerning the Lord, saying, "And the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign over the house of David forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33) Since Christ founded a likeness to the kingdom of David, it is fittingly said by the one who holds the key of David. Then, having remained firm in the manner of the key, He brings it forward:

He who opens and no one will shut; and He who shuts, and no one opens. For if God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? If God is the one who condemns; who is the one who justifies? For He says to open and to shut, means to justify and to condemn.

Revelation 3:8

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

He says, I know your works, that you are godly; and I have set before you an open door. And he said beforehand: The one who opens, and no one shuts, so also the door which I have given opened, and no one can shut it. Because, he says, you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Philadelphia is a small city, therefore its strength is also small. But in guarding the faith of Christ beyond her own strength, she rose as unyielding, to remain among those who trouble the faithful. Then, as a recompense for her genuine loyalty to Him, he promises that many from the Jewish census will run to join her and receive the faith of Christ. For this act of worshiping at her feet signifies that even in the last times, to be chosen and appointed as a member of the church is to be part of the church. The prophet, embracing this, said: "I chose to be cast down in the house of my God rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners." (Ps. 83:11)

Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial. He speaks of the persecution of Christians that occurred under Emperor Domitian, who was the second persecutor after Nero, as Eusebius records in both his Ecclesiastical History and his Chronicon Canon. It was during this time that the divine evangelist was condemned to live on Patmos, a small and deserted island.

Revelation 3:11

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

I am coming quickly, he says, having taken hold of you.

Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. And what do you hold fast? The genuine love toward the Lord, evidently, in which, having persevered until the end, you will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). For to those who endure, belong the victories.