Revelation 2:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 2:21 delivers a stark message from Christ to the church in Thyatira, revealing God's profound patience and enduring grace in offering a period for repentance to a woman identified as "Jezebel," who was leading believers astray. Despite this divine provision of time and opportunity, the verse tragically concludes with her unyielding refusal to turn from her spiritual and moral compromise, setting the stage for inevitable divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of Christ's indictment against the church in Thyatira, specifically targeting a woman referred to as "Jezebel" in [Revelation 2:20](/revelation/2-20 "Revelation 2:20 - Jezebel's Influence in Thyatira"). Christ rebukes the church for tolerating her teachings, which led some members into "fornication" and the eating of "things sacrificed unto idols." Verse 21 emphasizes God's forbearance before the pronouncement of severe judgment in [Revelation 2:22-23](/revelation/2-22-23 "Revelation 2:22-23 - Judgment on Jezebel and Her Followers"), highlighting that the impending consequences are not arbitrary but are a direct result of unrepentant rebellion against divine grace. It underscores a pattern seen throughout the prophetic books where God offers a clear opportunity for change before executing judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Thyatira was a prosperous city in Asia Minor, renowned for its trade guilds (e.g., dyers, wool-workers, leather-workers). Membership in these guilds was crucial for economic participation, but it often required attendance at guild feasts held in pagan temples, involving idolatrous rituals and sometimes sexual immorality. For Christians, this presented a significant dilemma: compromise their faith to maintain their livelihood or face social and economic ostracism. The "Jezebel" figure likely represents a prophetess or influential leader who advocated for compromise with these pagan practices, perhaps arguing that participation in guild activities was harmless or even necessary. This cultural pressure made the temptation to spiritual "fornication" (idolatry and syncretism) particularly acute for the Thyatiran believers, mirroring the challenges faced by the early church in adapting to a pagan society.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 2:21 powerfully illustrates several critical themes. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Patience and Mercy**, demonstrating God's inherent character as one who is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," as seen in [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance"). The granting of "space to repent" underscores His desire for reconciliation over condemnation. Secondly, it highlights **Human Stubbornness and Unrepentance**, revealing the tragic capacity of individuals to harden their hearts against divine truth and grace, even when clearly confronted with their sin. This refusal to repent, despite ample opportunity, is a recurring theme in biblical narratives of judgment, such as the unrepentant cities in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities"). Thirdly, the verse addresses the **Consequences of Spiritual Compromise**, where "fornication" extends beyond literal sexual immorality to encompass spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, a concept frequently found in Old Testament prophetic warnings against Israel's apostasy (e.g., [Ezekiel 23:37](/ezekiel/23-37 "Ezekiel 23:37 - Spiritual Fornication of Israel")). Finally, it foreshadows **Impending Judgment**, emphasizing that while God's patience is vast, it is not infinite, and unrepentant sin will ultimately face divine reckoning.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of granting or bestowing, emphasizing God's intentional provision of an opportunity. It is not a passive allowance but an active offering of grace, demonstrating His desire for her to change.
* **space (Greek, _chrónos'_):** Refers to a period of time or an interval, specifically highlighting that God extended a sufficient duration for repentance, not just a fleeting moment. This "space" implies a window of opportunity, a grace period, during which the individual was given ample time to reconsider and turn.
* **repent (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** Literally means "to think differently or afterwards," implying a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior, a moral reconsideration. It denotes a fundamental transformation of one's inner disposition and outward actions concerning sin, a turning away from wrong and towards God.
* **fornication (Greek, _porneía'_):** While encompassing literal sexual immorality, this term broadly refers to harlotry, including adultery and incest. Figuratively, especially in prophetic contexts like Revelation, it denotes idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God, where one's devotion is given to false gods or worldly systems rather than the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;":** This clause reveals the divine initiative and the extent of God's patience. Christ, the ultimate authority, actively provided a specific period ("space" or _chrónos_) for "Jezebel" to change her mind and actions concerning her "fornication." This "fornication" encompasses both the literal sexual immorality she may have promoted or engaged in, and more importantly, the spiritual idolatry of compromising with pagan practices and false teachings. The phrase underscores God's desire for reconciliation and His unwillingness to immediately condemn without offering a chance for a change of heart.
* **"and she repented not.":** This second clause tragically highlights the human response to divine grace. Despite the ample opportunity and the divine call to turn from her destructive path, "Jezebel" stubbornly refused. This refusal signifies a hardened heart, an unwillingness to acknowledge sin, and a rejection of God's gracious invitation to repentance. Her unrepentance seals her fate and sets the stage for the imminent judgment described in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 2:21 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Symbolism** is prominent, particularly in the figure of "Jezebel," who is not necessarily the literal Old Testament queen but rather a symbolic representation of a deceptive, idolatrous, and immoral influence within the church. Her "fornication" likewise functions symbolically, encompassing not only literal sexual promiscuity but primarily the spiritual unfaithfulness of idolatry and compromise with pagan practices, mirroring Israel's spiritual harlotry in the Old Testament. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting God's immense patience and gracious provision of "space to repent" against the stark and tragic reality of human stubbornness and unrepentance. This juxtaposition heightens the sense of divine justice and the culpability of the unrepentant. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Jezebel's refusal to repent directly anticipates the severe judgment that Christ promises to inflict upon her and her followers in the verses that immediately follow, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of persistent rebellion against God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 2:21 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine grace and human free will. God, in His infinite patience and mercy, extends a clear opportunity for repentance, demonstrating His desire for all to turn from sin rather than face judgment. This "space" is a testament to His character, revealing that His judgments are not arbitrary but are a consequence of persistent rejection of His grace. The tragic refusal to repent, however, underscores the human capacity for hardened hearts and the solemn reality of choosing rebellion over reconciliation. This choice has profound theological implications, affirming human agency and responsibility in the face of divine invitation. It also highlights the seriousness of spiritual compromise and false teaching, which lead believers away from singular devotion to Christ.

* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Goodness Leads to Repentance")
* [Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Unless You Repent, You Will All Likewise Perish")
* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Not the Death of the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 2:21 serves as a timeless and urgent call for self-examination and a reminder of the preciousness of God's grace. It compels us to consider whether we, like "Jezebel," are tolerating sin or spiritual compromise in our lives, either personally or within our communities. God's patience is not an excuse for procrastination but a divine invitation to immediate and genuine repentance. We are challenged to respond with humility and obedience to the Holy Spirit's promptings, turning away from any form of "fornication"—be it literal immorality, idolatry, or compromise with worldly values that diminish our devotion to Christ. This verse reminds us that while God is abundant in mercy, His patience has limits, and unrepentant sin will ultimately lead to severe consequences. It also underscores the responsibility of believers to discern truth from error and to actively resist teachings or practices that lead others astray, upholding the purity and integrity of the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tolerating "fornication" or spiritual compromise, either overtly or subtly?**
* **Am I actively responding to God's calls for repentance, or am I presuming upon His patience?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's character, balancing His mercy with His justice?**

### FAQ
**Who is "Jezebel" in the context of Revelation 2:21, and is she a literal person?**

Answer: While the name "Jezebel" immediately brings to mind the wicked queen of Israel from the Old Testament ([1 Kings 18:13](/1_kings/18-13 "1 Kings 18:13 - Jezebel's Persecution of Prophets")), in Revelation 2:20-23, it is most likely a symbolic name. This "Jezebel" in Thyatira was a self-proclaimed prophetess who was actively leading members of the church astray through false teaching and immoral practices. She represents a powerful, corrupting influence within the Christian community that encouraged compromise with pagan idolatry and sexual immorality, perhaps under the guise of "deeper truths" or "freedom." The use of the notorious Old Testament name underscores the severity and insidious nature of her influence, associating her with the historical Jezebel's promotion of Baal worship and persecution of God's prophets.

**What is the meaning of "fornication" in this verse, and why is it so significant?**

Answer: The Greek word for "fornication" is _porneía_ (G4202), which broadly refers to various forms of sexual immorality. However, in prophetic and theological contexts, especially within the Old Testament and Revelation, it frequently carries a deeper, spiritual meaning: idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God. Just as a spouse is unfaithful through adultery, so God's people are "fornicating" when they turn away from Him to worship other gods, embrace pagan practices, or compromise their devotion to Him with worldly systems. In Thyatira, this likely referred to participating in trade guild feasts that involved eating food sacrificed to idols and engaging in associated immoral activities. This was a direct violation of the covenant relationship with God, who demands exclusive worship and purity from His people, as emphasized in passages like [Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15-16 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Idolatry and Intermarriage"). The significance lies in its dual meaning, encompassing both literal sin and the grave spiritual offense of divided loyalty to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 2:21, though a stark warning, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "space to repent" offered to "Jezebel" is a profound reflection of Christ's own mission and the very essence of the Gospel. He came not to condemn the world immediately but to call sinners to repentance, offering salvation through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Christ Came to Save the World")). The patience of God, demonstrated in this verse, is perfectly embodied in Christ, who "suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" ([1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins")). His entire earthly ministry was a continuous call to _metanoéō_—to change one's mind and turn towards God's kingdom ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")). Furthermore, the "fornication" that Jezebel promoted, representing spiritual idolatry and compromise, is precisely what Christ came to deliver us from. Through His death and resurrection, believers are freed from the bondage of sin and false worship, enabled to live lives of singular devotion to the one true God ([Galatians 1:4](/galatians/1-4 "Galatians 1:4 - Christ Delivered Us from This Present Evil Age")). While this verse speaks of judgment for unrepentance, it simultaneously highlights the vast grace available in Christ, who offers forgiveness and new life to all who genuinely turn to Him, even those steeped in spiritual compromise, before the final judgment when He will return as the righteous Judge ([Acts 17:30-31](/acts/17-30-31 "Acts 17:30-31 - God Commands All People Everywhere to Repent")).

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.

Cross-References

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.