Revelation 18:3

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

For {G3754} all {G3956} nations {G1484} have drunk {G4095} of {G1537} the wine {G3631} of the wrath {G2372} of her {G846} fornication {G4202}, and {G2532} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093} have committed fornication {G4203} with {G3326} her {G846}, and {G2532} the merchants {G1713} of the earth {G1093} are waxed rich {G4147} through {G1537} the abundance {G1411} of her {G846} delicacies {G4764}.

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine
of God’s fury caused by her whoring —
yes, the kings of the earth went whoring with her,
and from her unrestrained love of luxury
the world’s businessmen have grown rich.”

All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”

For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness.

Commentary

Context

Revelation 18:3 is part of a vivid prophetic passage describing the fall and judgment of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing a corrupt worldly system, whether political, economic, or religious, that stands in opposition to God. This chapter follows the initial introduction and description of this harlot figure in Revelation 17, detailing her influence and the reasons for her ultimate destruction. Verse 3 specifically highlights the global reach of her corruption and the widespread complicity in her illicit activities.

Key Themes

  • Global Corruption and Influence: The phrase "all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" emphasizes the pervasive and intoxicating influence of this corrupt system. It suggests a widespread spiritual and moral intoxication that leads nations astray from God's ways.
  • Unholy Alliances and Spiritual Idolatry: The "fornication" committed by "the kings of the earth" is symbolic of their unfaithfulness to God, forming alliances with and participating in the idolatrous practices and worldly systems of Babylon, rather than aligning with God's kingdom. This spiritual adultery involves prioritizing worldly power and gain over divine truth.
  • Economic Exploitation and Luxury: The verse points to the vast wealth accumulated by "the merchants of the earth" through the "abundance of her delicacies." This signifies an economic system built on greed, luxury, and potentially exploitative practices, where worldly prosperity becomes an end in itself, leading to moral decay. This theme is further explored in Revelation 18:11-19, detailing the lament of those who profited from her.
  • Divine Judgment Imminent: The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" foreshadows the impending judgment. The very means by which Babylon corrupts others becomes the instrument of her own downfall, as God's righteous wrath is poured out upon her. This echoes the announcement of Babylon's fall in Revelation 14:8.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Fornication" (πορνεία - porneia): While literally meaning sexual immorality, in prophetic literature, especially in Revelation, porneia frequently denotes spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and illicit alliances with worldly powers or false religious systems. It signifies a departure from loyalty to God.
  • "Delicacies" (στρῆνος - strēnos): This Greek word refers to excessive luxury, wantonness, or insolent pride that comes from abundance. It highlights the opulent and self-indulgent nature of Babylon's wealth, often accumulated through unjust means.

Practical Application

Revelation 18:3 serves as a powerful warning for believers today:

  • Discernment of Worldly Systems: It calls for spiritual discernment to recognize and resist the intoxicating influence of worldly systems that promote materialism, greed, and spiritual compromise over faithfulness to God.
  • Separation from Corruption: Believers are called to avoid being spiritually or morally entangled with systems that oppose God's kingdom. This aligns with the subsequent call in Revelation 18:4 to "Come out of her, my people."
  • Critique of Economic Injustice: The verse implicitly critiques economic systems that prioritize excessive wealth and luxury, especially when gained through exploitation or at the expense of justice and righteousness.
  • Assurance of Divine Justice: Ultimately, this verse assures us that God sees and will judge all forms of corruption and unfaithfulness. No worldly system, no matter how powerful or wealthy, can escape His ultimate justice.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 17:2

    With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

  • Revelation 14:8

    And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

  • Jeremiah 51:7

    Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

  • Revelation 18:23

    And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

  • 2 Peter 2:3

    ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
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