Revelation 2:21

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

And {G2532} I gave {G1325} her {G846} space {G5550} to {G2443} repent {G3340} of {G1537} her {G846} fornication {G4202}; and {G2532} she repented {G3340} not {G3756}.

I gave her time to turn from her sin, but she doesn’t want to repent of her immorality.

Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.

And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

Revelation 2:21 (KJV) is a critical verse within the letter to the church in Thyatira, one of the seven churches of Asia addressed by Jesus Christ through John. It highlights God's patience and the tragic consequence of human stubbornness in the face of divine grace.

Context

This verse refers to a woman Jesus identifies as "Jezebel" in Revelation 2:20. She was a self-proclaimed prophetess who was leading some members of the Thyatira church astray, teaching them to commit "fornication" and to eat "things sacrificed unto idols." The historical Thyatira was a prosperous trade city, known for its many trade guilds, each with its patron deity and associated banquets, which often included idolatrous practices and immorality. This made the temptation to compromise faith for social or economic reasons particularly strong for early Christians there.

Key Themes

  • Divine Patience and Grace: The phrase "I gave her space to repent" underscores God's immense patience and desire for people to turn from their sin. He does not immediately condemn but offers an opportunity for change, demonstrating His mercy before judgment. This aligns with God's character, who is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
  • Human Stubbornness and Unrepentance: Despite the given opportunity, "she repented not." This highlights the human capacity for hardened hearts and the refusal to acknowledge and turn away from sin, even when confronted by divine truth and grace.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Compromise: The "fornication" mentioned here carries a dual meaning. While it can refer to literal sexual immorality, in a prophetic context, it often signifies spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry—turning away from God to worship other gods or embrace worldly practices. Jezebel's teachings encouraged a compromise with pagan practices, leading believers into both moral and spiritual defilement.
  • Impending Judgment: Her refusal to repent sets the stage for the severe judgment promised in the subsequent verses (Revelation 2:22-23), demonstrating that God's patience has limits and unrepentant sin will face consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "space" is chronos (χρόνος), referring to a period of time or opportunity. It emphasizes that God provided a sufficient duration for her to change her ways. The term "fornication" is porneia (πορνεία), a broad Greek word encompassing various forms of sexual immorality, but also frequently used in the Old Testament to describe Israel's idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God (e.g., Ezekiel 23:37).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It underscores the urgency of responding to God's call to repentance. God consistently offers opportunities to turn from sin, whether it's literal immoral acts or spiritual compromise that diminishes our devotion to Him. Ignoring these divine promptings or hardening our hearts can lead to severe spiritual consequences. It also warns against tolerating false teachings or spiritual leaders who promote compromise with worldly values, reminding us to test all spirits and uphold biblical truth (1 John 4:1).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Peter 3:9

    ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Revelation 9:20

    And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

  • Revelation 9:21

    Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

  • Revelation 16:9

    And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

  • Revelation 16:11

    And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

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