1:5 1:5

Revelation 1:6

1:7 1:7

Bible Versions

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
And {G2532} hath made {G4160} us {G2248} kings {G935} and {G2532} priests {G2409} unto God {G2316} and {G2532} his {G846} Father {G3962}; to him {G846} be glory {G1391} and {G2532} dominion {G2904} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}. Amen {G281}.
who has caused us to be a kingdom, that is, cohanim for God, his Father — to him be the glory and the rulership forever and ever. Amen.
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6 is part of the opening vision and salutation of the book, following John's address and the identification of Jesus Christ. It declares the exalted status granted to believers through Christ's work.

Context

This verse immediately follows the powerful declaration about Jesus Christ as "the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). Having established Christ's supreme authority and redemptive work ("washed us from our sins in his own blood"), John states the glorious consequence for those who are His: they have been elevated to a special position before God. It sets the stage for understanding the destiny and role of the redeemed throughout the apocalyptic vision.

Key Themes

  • Believer's Identity and Status: The core message is the new identity conferred upon believers – being made "kings and priests unto God and his Father." This combines roles of royalty (authority, reign) and religious service (access, mediation).
  • Access to God: The title "priests" signifies direct access to God, a privilege previously limited to a select few in the Old Testament economy.
  • Christ's Sufficiency: This status is a direct result of Christ's work ("hath made us"), specifically His atoning sacrifice mentioned in the preceding verse.
  • Divine Glory and Dominion: The latter part of the verse attributes eternal "glory and dominion" to Christ, reinforcing His supreme worthiness and authority, which undergirds the status granted to believers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "kings and priests" (Greek: βασιλεῖς καὶ ἱερεῖς - basileis kai hiereis) echoes Old Testament language regarding Israel's potential role (Exodus 19:6) and is picked up elsewhere in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:9). The combination signifies both rulership and sacred service. The dedication "unto God and his Father" clarifies the recipient and source of this new status and subsequent service. The concluding "Amen" is a strong affirmation of truth and a doxological closing, emphasizing the certainty and justice of attributing glory and dominion to Christ.

Reflection and Application

Understanding that we are made "kings and priests" by Christ should profoundly impact how we see ourselves and live our lives. As priests, we have direct access to God through prayer and worship, and we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15). As kings (or a kingdom, as some translations render it, reflecting the collective body), we are called to exercise spiritual authority in Christ, reign over sin, and participate in God's redemptive purposes in the world, anticipating a future reign with Him (see also 2 Timothy 2:12). This status is not earned but granted by grace through Christ's blood, leading us to live lives that ascribe all glory and dominion to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 5:10

    And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

  • Revelation 20:6

    Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

  • Exodus 19:6

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Isaiah 61:6

    But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

  • Romans 11:36

    For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
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