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Revelation 2:19

in Revelation 2

I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.

KJV

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

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This verse in Revelation 2

Commentary

9 notes on this verse
I know thy works - See the notes on Rev 2:2. He knew all they had done, good and bad. And charity - Love; love to God, and love to man. There is no reason for restricting this word here to the comparatively narrow sense which it now bears. Compare the notes on 1Co 13:1. And service - Greek, “ministry” - διακονίαν diakonian.

This site's exposition

the Son of God

on Revelation 2:18-19

Thyatira's letter alone names the speaker the Son of God, with the eyes and feet of 1:14-15. The church is praised for your love, your faith, and its latter deeds are greater than your first, the only letter to report growth.

This site's exposition

your latter deeds are greater than your first

Ephesus was told to return to its first deeds, while Thyatira's last deeds exceed its first. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown read the latter deeds as more in number, the reverse of Matthew 12:45, where the last state is worse. Albert Barnes takes service as ministry, the Greek diakonia.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on Revelation · Written before 550.

proposed

He said, I know your works, your love and faith and service, just as he said, I praise all your efforts. For he puts "I know," instead of, "I praise," like, "I know you to be spoken of among all men" to Moses, (Ex. 33:12) …

A commentator

Apringius of Beja

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:19 · Written before 600.

proposed

He says that he knows the work, the love, the faith, the service and the patience of his church. "And that your latter works exceed the first." He indicates that at the end of time there will be a great number of saints, when, with …

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Alcuin of York

COMMENTARY ON REVELATION · Written before 804.

proposed

And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass. I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy charity, and …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

I know thy works,....

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Similarly, faith and persevering endurance, or "patient continuance (the same Greek as here, Ro 2:7) in well-doing," are connected. and thy works; and the last--Omit the second "and," with the three oldest manuscripts and the ancient versions; translate, "And (I know) thy works which are last (to be) more in number than the first"; realizing 1Th 4:1; the converse of Mt 12:45;
1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

I know thy works - And of these he first sets forth their charity, την αγαπην, their love to God and each other; and particularly to the poor and distressed: and hence followed their faith, την πιστιν, their fidelity, to the grace they had received; and service, την διακονιαν, and ministration; properly pious and benevolent service to widows, orphans, and the poor in general. And thy patience - Την ὑπομονην σου· Thy perseverance under afflictions and persecutions, and thy continuance in well-doing. I put faith before service according to the general consent of the best MSS. and versions. Thy works - The continued labor of love, and thorough obedience. The last to be more than the first - They not only retained what they had received at first, but grew in grace, and in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. This is a rare thing in most Christian Churches: they generally lose the power of religion, and rest in the forms of worship; and it requires a powerful revival to bring them to such a state that their last works shall be more than their first.

The words behind it

26 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

1 Corinthians 8:3But the one who loves God is known by God.69 works1 Thessalonians 1:3and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.18 worksRevelation 3:1“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.9 works1 Timothy 1:5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.8 worksRevelation 2:5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.8 works2 Thessalonians 1:3We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.6 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
John 15:2He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.6 works2 Peter 1:7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.6 worksRevelation 2:2–4I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.4 worksRevelation 13:10“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.4 works2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.3 works1 Thessalonians 3:6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.3 works1 Corinthians 13:1–8If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.3 works1 Peter 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.3 worksColossians 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.3 worksJohn 10:14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,3 works1 Timothy 2:10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.3 worksPsalms 92:14In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    John 15:2

    He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 3:10

      The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

    • Hebrews 12:10–11

      Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.

    • Matthew 15:13

      But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.

    • Revelation 3:19

      Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

    • John 15:8

      This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

  • Through

    1 Timothy 1:5

    The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 1:19

      holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.

    • Galatians 5:22

      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

  • Through

    2 Peter 1:7

    and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

    it leads to

Where this verse is studied

About Revelation

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, Jan and Hubert van Eyck, about 1430 to 1432. Public domain.
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, Jan and Hubert van Eyck, about 1430 to 1432. Public domain.
Revelation: the study guide →Read Revelation 2 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alcuin of York, COMMENTARY ON REVELATION; Apringius of Beja, TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:19; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Oecumenius, Commentary on Revelation.

Read on in Revelation 2 →