Revelation 3:1

ยถ 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.

And {G2532} unto the angel {G32} of the church {G1577} in {G1722} Sardis {G4554} write {G1125}; These things {G3592} saith {G3004} he that hath {G2192} the seven {G2033} Spirits {G4151} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} the seven {G2033} stars {G792}; I know {G1492} thy {G4675} works {G2041}, that {G3754} thou hast {G2192} a name {G3686} that {G3754} thou livest {G2198}, and {G2532} art {G1488} dead {G3498}.

โ€œTo the angel of the Messianic Community in Sardis, write: โ€˜Here is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: โ€œI know what you are doing โ€” you have a reputation for being alive, but in fact you are dead!

โ€œTo the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.

And to 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 thou art dead.

Commentary

Revelation 3:1 (KJV) introduces the letter to the church in Sardis, one of the seven churches addressed by Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. This verse immediately sets a stark tone, revealing a community with a deceptive outward appearance masking a profound spiritual decay.

Context

The Book of Revelation opens with John's vision of the risen Christ and His messages to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Each letter is tailored to the specific spiritual condition of the congregation. Sardis, an ancient city with a rich but often tragic history, was known for its past wealth and military strength, but also for being repeatedly conquered due to its inhabitants' overconfidence and lack of vigilance. This historical backdrop subtly mirrors the spiritual state of the church within its walls.

Key Themes

  • The Authority of Christ: Jesus identifies Himself as "he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." The "seven Spirits" likely refer to the fullness and perfection of the Holy Spirit, indicating Christ's complete command over divine power and spiritual discernment. The "seven stars" represent the angels or messengers (leaders) of the seven churches, signifying Christ's ultimate authority over the spiritual leadership and well-being of His church.
  • Divine Omniscience: The declaration "I know thy works" underscores Jesus' perfect and intimate knowledge of every church's true condition. No superficial piety or outward show can deceive Him; He sees beyond reputation to the heart of their spiritual reality.
  • Spiritual Deadness vs. Reputation: The most striking indictment is, "thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." The church in Sardis had a good reputation, perhaps appearing active and prosperous to outsiders, but inwardly, it was spiritually lifeless. This highlights the danger of outward religiosity without genuine inner vitality and faith. It's a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and hypocrisy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a name that thou livest, and art dead" in the Greek is onoma zลsa kai nekra, emphasizing the sharp contrast between their perceived living status (their "name" or reputation) and their actual state of spiritual death (nekra). This isn't physical death, but a profound lack of spiritual life, passion, and fruitfulness. The "seven Spirits of God" (hepta pneumata tou theou) refers to the Holy Spirit in His complete power and manifold operations, as seen in Isaiah 11:2.

Practical Application

Revelation 3:1 serves as a timeless call to spiritual self-examination for individuals and churches alike. It challenges us to look beyond outward appearances, programs, or reputations and honestly assess our true spiritual health. Are we merely going through the motions, or is there genuine spiritual life, growth, and fruit evident in our lives? This verse urges believers to avoid spiritual complacency and to constantly seek a vibrant, authentic relationship with Christ, remembering that true life comes from Him alone, not from human recognition or activity.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Message of the Book of Revelation The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation The Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2-3) The 7 Letters to the Churches in Revelation: A Summary The Book of Life

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 5:6

    But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

  • James 2:26

    For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

  • Revelation 1:4

    John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

  • Colossians 2:13

    ยถ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

  • Jude 1:12

    These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

  • Luke 15:24

    For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

  • 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.
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