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Revelation 2

Rev. 2:8 KJV (With Strong’s)

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8
And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
unto the angel
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
aggelos (Greek #32)
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV usage: angel, messenger.
Pronounce: ang'-el-os
Origin: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings)
of the church
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ekklesia (Greek #1577)
a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
KJV usage: assembly, church.
Pronounce: ek-klay-see'-ah
Origin: from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564
in Smyrna
Smurnaios (Greek #4668)
a Smyrnoean
KJV usage: in Smyrna.
Pronounce: smoor-nah'-yos
Origin: from 4667
write
grapho (Greek #1125)
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
KJV usage: describe, write(-ing, -ten).
Pronounce: graf'-o
Origin: a primary verb
; These things
hode (Greek #3592)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
KJV usage: he, she, such, these, thus.
Pronounce: hod'-eh
Origin: ἥδε (hay'-deh), and the neuter τόδε (tod'-e) from 3588 and 1161
saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
the first
protos (Greek #4413)
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
KJV usage: before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former.
Pronounce: pro'-tos
Origin: contracted superlative of 4253
m and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the last
eschatos (Greek #2078)
farthest, final (of place or time)
KJV usage: ends of, last, latter end, lowest, uttermost.
Pronounce: es'-khat-os
Origin: a superlative probably from 2192 (in the sense of contiguity)
, which
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
was
ginomai (Greek #1096)
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
KJV usage: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Pronounce: ghin'-om-ahee
Origin: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb
dead
nekros (Greek #3498)
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
KJV usage: dead.
Pronounce: nek-ros'
Origin: from an apparently primary νέκυς (a corpse)
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
is alive
zao (Greek #2198)
to live (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Pronounce: dzah'-o
Origin: a primary verb
;*
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
m
Rev. 1:8,17• 8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (Rev. 1:8,17)

More on:

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Church,
Smyrna

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the angel.
Rev. 2:1• 1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Rev. 2:1)
the first.
Rev. 1:8,11,17‑18• 8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev. 1:8,11,17‑18)
• He was the One that had died and was alive again. And this is the very One that I have to flee to in my trial. You will see thereby what a connection there is between the quickening of the dead and the comfort of those who are in trial. (Compare 2 Cor. 1-5). (“Lectures on Revelation 2:8-11” by W. Kelly)
• I should apply the church of Smyrna to the time when the church was called to pass through the tribulation that followed the era of the apostles — the persecutions that were inflicted on the Christians by the Roman emperors. (“Lectures on Revelation 2:8-11” by W. Kelly)
• Period—from the second century to Constantine. (“The Seven Churches of Asia” by A. Miller)
• The assembly at Smyrna represents the Church historically from 167 A.D. to 313 A.D. The word “Smyrna” means “suffering.” The Lord’s words to this church fittingly describe the period of suffering the church went through in the second and third centuries. (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)
• Smyrna is wholly commended, and not one word of reproach or censure is addressed to it; Laodicea is in every respect blamed, and not one word of commendation or praise is bestowed. Again, the poverty and tribulation of Smyrna stand out in marked contrast with the rich and self-satisfied condition of Laodicea. (“Revelation 2: Addresses to the Seven Churches” by W. Scott)
• It must not, however, be supposed that there was nothing wrong in these unblamed assemblies, only the characteristic Church states represented by them were suffering (Smyrna) and weakness (Philadelphia). A child in affliction or in bodily weakness is spared words of censure. (“Revelation 2: Addresses to the Seven Churches” by W. Scott)
• For about 250 years, with occasional lulls when the ruthless hand of the persecutor was stayed, the Church was passing through a “baptism of blood,” and this in order to rekindle the smoldering flame of love well nigh extinguished. What the suffering Church was to the Lord is imaged in the meaning of Smyrna, myrrh—a well-known fragrant perfume, a sacred one moreover (Ex. 30-23), also one of the love perfumes of the spouse in the Canticles. (“Revelation 2: Addresses to the Seven Churches” by W. Scott)
• As “the First” He is before all in time, and above all as supreme. As “the Last” He is after all, closing all up, for to Him all tend. He is eternal in His Being. But He stooped to die. Death had no claim on Him. (“Revelation 2: Addresses to the Seven Churches” by W. Scott)

J. N. Darby Translation

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8
And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: These things says the first and the last, who becamea dead, and livedb:

JND Translation Notes

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a
See Note f, ch. 1.18.
b
That is, after having died. see chs. 1.17,18; 13.14; Matt. 9.18; Rom 14.9.

W. Kelly Translation

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8
And to the angel of the church that is in Smyrna write, These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and liveda:

WK Translation Notes

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a
The Revisers correct "is alive" to "lived."