Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Because {G3754} thou hast kept {G5083} the word {G3056} of my {G3450} patience {G5281}, I also {G2504} will keep {G5083} thee {G4571} from {G1537} the hour {G5610} of temptation {G3986}, which {G3588} shall come {G3195}{G2064} upon {G1909} all {G3650} the world {G3625}, to try {G3985} them that dwell {G2730} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}.

Because you did obey my message about persevering, I will keep you from the time of trial coming upon the whole world to put the people living on earth to the test.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 3:10 is part of the message from Jesus Christ to the church in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches in Asia Minor addressed in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation. This church is commended for its faithfulness despite having little strength.

Context

The letter to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) stands out positively among the seven letters, alongside the letter to Smyrna. Unlike most other churches, Philadelphia receives no direct rebuke. Jesus acknowledges their "little strength" but commends them for keeping His word and not denying His name (Revelation 3:8). Verse 10 is a direct promise given *because* of their steadfastness and endurance through trials, often referred to as "the word of my patience."

Key Themes

  • Keeping the Word of Patience: The Philadelphian believers demonstrated faithfulness by holding onto Christ's teachings and example of perseverance, especially in the face of opposition or suffering. This wasn't just passive waiting but active endurance.
  • Divine Preservation: The core promise is that Christ "will keep thee from the hour of temptation." This verse is central to discussions about the timing and nature of future tribulation and God's protection for believers.
  • The Hour of Temptation/Trial: This refers to a specific future period of intense testing and tribulation that will affect the entire world. The Greek word peirasmos can mean both "temptation" and "trial" or "testing," suggesting a time designed to prove and refine faith, but also to expose unbelief.
  • Global Scope and Purpose: The trial is explicitly stated to "come upon all the world," indicating its universal reach. Its purpose is "to try them that dwell upon the earth," highlighting that it is a test specifically for those who are earthbound in their focus, contrasting with those whose citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "kept the word of my patience" uses the Greek word hypomonē, which signifies active perseverance, steadfastness, or endurance under trial, rather than mere passive waiting. The promise "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation" uses the Greek phrase tērēsō ek. While tērēsō means "to keep" or "to preserve," the preposition ek typically means "out of" or "from." This phrase is often interpreted as preservation *out of* or *from* entering the hour of trial, rather than simply preservation *through* it.

Reflection and Application

This verse offers immense hope and encouragement to believers who are faithfully enduring difficulties for Christ's sake. It underscores the value God places on perseverance and faithfulness, even when feeling weak. The promise of being kept from this future global trial serves as a powerful motivation to continue holding fast to Christ's word and name. While the exact timing and nature of the "hour of temptation" are debated, the principle remains: God honors faithfulness with divine protection and deliverance according to His purposes. Believers are called to live with an eternal perspective, not being among those "that dwell upon the earth" with no hope beyond this life.

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 2:9

    The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

  • Revelation 14:12

    Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

  • Zechariah 13:9

    And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

  • Daniel 12:10

    Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • 1 Peter 4:12

    ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
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