Revelation 3 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• It is not the way of God to produce great strength at a time of general ruin. At the era of the return from the Babylonish captivity, the Lord wrought in great grace. There was no outward power. (“Lectures on Revelation 3:7-22: Philadelphia” by W. Kelly)

• Consider what it is to keep Christ's word. It is evident there had been a departure from His word. It might have been circulated; but had it been cherished? Had it been loved and sought into, as for hid treasure? Was it for this thing that men met together to pray and read — that they might understand it better? (“Lectures on Revelation 3:7-22: Philadelphia” by W. Kelly)

• See here the personal links — "my word," and "my name." The name of Christ apprehended by the soul is salvation; but it is much more; it is all. When the heart is brought down to submit to God's judgment of its sin, He Himself brings before that soul Christ's name; when it finds that it has no name in which to stand before God, He says, Here is a name, My Son's name. (“Lectures on Revelation 3:7-22: Philadelphia” by W. Kelly)

• There may be much to try our patience; but what we have to do is to wait on the Lord. This is what the Lord seeks — that we should have confidence in what He is and has, taking the place of weakness and dependence in prayer, however much we may be tried. (“Lectures on Revelation 3:7-22: Philadelphia” by W. Kelly)

• The works of Philadelphia do not attract the world’s admiration nor draw down the world’s éclat. This is enough for the faithful: “I know thy works.” A Philadelphian, one who answers to that character, flourishes spiritually in the shade. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• Here Christ has the unchallenged right to use the key, all authority in Heaven and in earth being committed to Him (Matt. 28:18). He had set before the angel “an opened door.” Service for Him and testimony to Him were to be the happy life work of the Church. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• No created being can shut that opened door. “No man can shut it,” reads the Authorized Version; “no one,” or “none can shut,” reads the Revised. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• {little strength} Not a word of censure. The Church in Smyrna was in suffering, and the assembly in Philadelphia in weakness, and so neither is blamed; the only two of the seven exempted from reproof. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• God cannot work in mighty power in a condition of things which is to the denial of the Name of His Son, the holy, the true. The amount of power was small, but it was actively employed, not held as a mere passive possession. Activity in service and faithfulness to the Word and Name of Christ characterized the angel. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• In order to “keep” the Word obedience to it must be prompt and unqualified. A slipshod reading of Scripture as a matter of duty, or even its study for intelligence and to equip one more thoroughly for ministerial service does not constitute one a doer of the Word....To a true Philadelphian saint Christ’s Word is that which separates him from all to Christ alone at whatever personal cost. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• A name represents a person, and necessarily supposes his absence. The value of what a person is has its force in the name. In the Name of Christ prayer is all-prevailing (John 14:13-14); to it alone God His saints (Matt. 18:20); in virtue of it our sins have been forgiven (1 John 2:12); and because of it God leads His pilgrim people in paths of righteousness (Psa. 23:3). It is no light matter therefore to be preserved from the denial of Christ in days of abounding iniquity. (“Revelation 3: Rewards to the Overcomer” by W. Scott)

• Not the creed we profess but the works we do is the crucial point. Indeed the works we do give the best index to what we really believe. (“Revelation 3” by F.B. Hole)

• We may remember that in the farewell discourse to His disciples (John 14) the Lord emphasized both His Name and His Word. They were left with access to the Father in His Name, and His commandments and His word were given them to be kept. (“Revelation 3” by F.B. Hole)

• He says, “a little strength,” (ch. 3:8) which we do well to remember. To keep His word, as far as it is known, and not to deny His name is not the maximum but the minimum to be expected of those who really love Him. (“Revelation 3” by F.B. Hole)

• “Thou hast a little power”—This is something that flows from communion—from abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5). They had the same power that the early Church had (Acts 4:33), but it was “little.” (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)

• “Thou hast kept My Word”—Those connected with this movement were students of the Scriptures. They were not just hearers only, but were doers of the Word (James 1:22). (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)

• “Thou hast not denied My name”—A name in Scripture often implies character. Hence, in practical life, the very character of Christ Himself marked these people. All that tended to deny Christ’s character was refused in a practical way. They also forsook all denominational names and titles, and were happy to meet simply in His name alone (Matt. 18:20). (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

I know thy works: behold, I have setg before thee an opened door, which no one can shut, because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

JND Translation Notes

Lit. "give" or "have given" (ver. 8) and "give" (ver. 9).

W. Kelly Translation

I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door which no one can shut: fora thou hast a littleb strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not deniedc my name.

WK Translation Notes

But surely the better rendering in the latter half of the verse gives the reason "because," instead of "that" as the Revisers say, connecting what follows with "I know thy works," and treating the intervening words (the open door) as a parenthesis.

Regarding the meaning of "a little strength, is not "little power" more suitable to the context than "a" little, meaning some? Weakness characterized the Philadelphian assembly, but they kept Christ’s word and denied not His name.

There seems no change of moment in the RV in vs. 8, though there is a marked literality of rendering, save that they depart from their usual preterite for the aorist at the close.