Read & explore together
To the Church in Ephesus
In this message to the assembly in Ephesus, the one who speaks knows their hard work and endurance, yet calls them to remember, repent and return to the works they did at first.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage gives a written message to the assembly in Ephesus within a visionary setting. The speaker identifies himself as the one who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven golden lamp stands. He then gives praise, correction, warning and promise to the assembly and to anyone who hears.
Revelation 2:1–7Main takeaway
The one who holds the seven stars commends perseverance and discernment, while also calling his people to repent when they have left their first love.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The speaker and his settingThe message opens with a vivid description of the speaker. He holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands.
Explanation
The message opens with a vivid description of the speaker. He holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands. In this vision, he is presented as active among the assemblies, not far away. The message comes with weight and authority from the very beginning.
02What Ephesus is commended forThe assembly is praised for works, toil and perseverance. They do not tolerate evil men, and they have tested people who called themselves apostles and found them false.
Explanation
The assembly is praised for works, toil and perseverance. They do not tolerate evil men, and they have tested people who called themselves apostles and found them false. They have also endured for his name’s sake without growing weary. This shows a picture of steady faithfulness and careful testing.
03What is missingAlongside that strong praise, there is a serious charge against them: they have left their first love.
Explanation
Alongside that strong praise, there is a serious charge against them: they have left their first love. The verse does not spell out every detail of that phrase, but it clearly shows that endurance and discernment alone are not enough. Something essential has been abandoned.
04The call to remember and repentThe assembly is told exactly what to do. They must remember from where they have fallen, repent, and do the first works.
Explanation
The assembly is told exactly what to do. They must remember from where they have fallen, repent, and do the first works. If they refuse, the speaker warns that he will move their lamp stand out of its place. Yet he also notes one more strength: they hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which he also hates.
05A warning to hear and a promise to overcomeThe message ends by widening out from Ephesus to the assemblies. Whoever has an ear must hear what the Spirit says.
Explanation
The message ends by widening out from Ephesus to the assemblies. Whoever has an ear must hear what the Spirit says. The one who overcomes is promised the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. The passage closes with both urgency and hope.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which qualities are praised in the assembly before any correction is given?
List the actions and attitudes named in the commendation, including their toil, perseverance and testing of false claims.
02What does the passage say the assembly must do after leaving its first love?
Follow the order given in the warning: remember, repent, and do the first works.
03How does the ending speak both warning and promise?
Notice the call to hear, the warning earlier about the lamp stand, and the promise of the tree of life for the one who overcomes.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 2:1–7
1“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
2“I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
3You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4But I have this against you, that you left your first love.
5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
6But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.