Revelation 2:1-7: Church in Ephesus

 Rev. 2:1   “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

 The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

Rev. 2:2   ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent. 6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

Map Created in Accordance Bible Atlas 2.2

1.  To whom are verses 2:1-7 addressed? 

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus” (2:1)

•     The Greek word translated “angel” is ἄγγελος, which can refer to “a human messenger serving as an envoy” or “one who is sent” (BDAG, 8). The same word is used to refer to “a transcendent power who carries out various missions or tasks, messenger, angel” (BDAG, 8). Therefore, the “angel of the church in Ephesus” could be a reference to the presiding pastor of the church, or to an angel, or heavenly messenger, appointed to preside over the church in Ephesus.
•     Ephesus was a port city on the western coast of Asia (Modern Turkey), an affluent province of the Roman Empire in the first century. Ephesus hosted the temple of Artemis (Diana), whose pagan influence was challenged by the ministry of Paul. Paul ministered to Jews and Greeks in Asia while residing in Ephesus for over two years (Acts 19). Ireneaus [ca. 130–200] indicates that the Church in Ephesus was founded by Paul and that the Apostle John resided in Ephesus “permanently until the times of Trajan [98–117]” (3Iren 3:4), which would have been after his exile on Patmos. The church in Ephesus had persevered faithfully through many trials. 

2.  How is the speaker described? (2:1)

“The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (2:1)

•       The speaker previously identified himself as Jesus, “. . . the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades” (1:17-18).

3.  Of what does Jesus know concerning the church in Ephesus? (2:2-3)

“I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary” (2:2-3).

•          The Ephesians are commended for not being able to tolerate evil men, whom they put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and are not, and you found them to be false . . .” (2:2).  The Greek word for apostles is ἀπόστολος, a New Testament term for “a group of highly honored believers with a special function as God’s envoys” (BDAG, 122).  The original apostles include those whom Christ called to follow and to whom He appears after His resurrection. The apostles and prophets form a foundation for the Church, with Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Eph 2:20).

4.  What does Jesus have against the church in Ephesus? (2:4, 7)

“. . . you have left your first love” (2:4).

•          τὴν ἀγάπην σου τὴν πρώτην (“your first love”) is a reference to the love of God and Christ. Although the Ephesians had not grown weary in works, their hearts had grown weary and cold of the love of God and Christ.

5.  What does Jesus tell the church in Ephesus to do? (2:5, 7)

“. . . remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent” (2:5).

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:7).

6.  What commendation/warning/promise does Jesus give to the church in Ephesus? (2:5-7)

•       Commendation:o   “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary” (Rev 2:2).o   “Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Rev 2:6).

§  Ireneaus identified a group of Nicolaitans, “The Nicolaitans are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Therefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: ‘But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate’” (1Iren 26:3).

•       Warning: “. . . or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent” (2:5). Jesus identified the  seven lampstands as a symbol for the seven churches (1:20).
•       Promise: “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God” (2:7). 

7.  How might the message to the church of Ephesus apply to the church today?      

•        The Church must sincerely love upwardly before love can abound outwardly.

 Father, may grace, love and peace from You, from Jesus, and from the Spirit fill our hearts, motivate our works, and inspire our worship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.