1
Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Σάρδεσιν ἐκκλησίας γράψον· Τάδε λέγει ὁ ἔχων τὰ ἑπτὰ πνεύματα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας· Οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα, ὅτι ὄνομα ἔχεις ὅτι ζῇς, καὶ νεκρὸς εἶ.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things says the one who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works — that you have a name that you are alive, and you are dead.
Fifth letter opened: SardisκαίThe fifth proclamation opens in the fixed pattern. The self-description draws on 1:4, 16, 20 (the seven Spirits, the seven stars); the diagnosis is the sharpest reversal yet — a reputation for life masking death.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: the serial 'and' opening each of the seven letters.
τῷto theDativearticle
ἀγγέλῳangel/messengerDativeindirect object of γράψονἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the heavenly representative (or overseer) of the congregation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΣάρδεσινSardisDativeobject of ἐν (place)Σάρδεις: Sardis, ancient capital of Lydia, famed for a citadel twice captured by stealth — a backdrop to the 'thief' warning of v.3.
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitivegenitive (the church's angel)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the gathered congregation.
γράψονwriteAor Act Impv 2 Sg · γράφωimperative (command to John)→ ingressive aoristγράφω: 'write'; the dictation command repeated in every letter.
Τάδεthese thingsAccusativedirect object of λέγειὅδε: 'this'; τάδε λέγει renders the prophetic 'thus says,' the LXX herald-formula (כֹּה אָמַר) now on the lips of the risen Christ.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say'; the messenger-formula verb.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject of λέγει)→ present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the self-title — Christ holds the sevenfold Spirit and the stars.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the number of fullness pervading Revelation.
πνεύματαSpiritsAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; 'the seven Spirits of God' (1:4; 4:5; 5:6) — the one Spirit in sevenfold fullness.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)
ἀστέραςstarsAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνἀστήρ: 'star'; the seven stars = the angels of the seven churches (1:20).
ΟἶδάI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present sense (stative)οἶδα: 'know'; the recurring diagnostic 'I know your works,' opening each verdict.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect objectἔργον: 'work, deed'; the conduct under scrutiny.
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical)ὅτι: here unpacking the works — 'namely, that…'
ὄνομαa name/reputationAccusativedirect object of ἔχειςὄνομα: 'name'; here 'reputation' — a name for being alive.
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; the church 'has' a reputation it does not deserve.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of the name)ὅτι: introducing the content of the reputation.
ζῇςyou are alivePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ζάωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ stative presentζάω: 'live, be alive'; the supposed vitality.
καὶand yetadversative coordinationκαί: here adversative — 'and yet,' setting the reality against the reputation.
νεκρὸςdeadNominativepredicate adjectiveνεκρός: 'dead'; the blunt verdict — spiritually lifeless beneath the appearance.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the unsparing 'you are dead.'
2
γίνου γρηγορῶν, καὶ στήρισον τὰ λοιπὰ ἃ ἔμελλον ἀποθανεῖν, οὐ γὰρ εὕρηκά σου τὰ ἔργα πεπληρωμένα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ μου·
Become watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your works complete before my God.
Charge to wake and strengthenasyndetonThe remedy: a string of imperatives. The perfect εὕρηκα reports a settled finding — works begun but never brought to fullness before God.
γίνουbecomePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · γίνομαιimperative→ progressive present (keep becoming)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; with the participle, 'become watchful' = start and stay awake.
γρηγορῶνwatchfulPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γρηγορέωcomplementary participle (periphrastic with γίνου)→ present (ongoing vigilance)γρηγορέω: 'be awake, watch, be vigilant'; the watchfulness Sardis lacks — apt for a city twice taken by night.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στήρισονstrengthenAor Act Impv 2 Sg · στηρίζωimperative→ ingressive aoristστηρίζω: 'make firm, strengthen, establish'; shore up what survives.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival)
λοιπὰremainingAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the residue of life not yet extinguished.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔμελλον)
ἔμελλονwere aboutImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · μέλλωmain verb (rel. clause)→ imperfect (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be on the point of'; the impending death of even the remnant.
ἀποθανεῖνto dieAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔμελλον)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the looming demise of the surviving works.
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: grounding the charge — the reason vigilance is needed.
εὕρηκάI have foundPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ perfect (settled finding)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the standing verdict on inspection.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of εὕρηκαἔργον: 'work, deed'; the same works of v.1, now weighed.
πεπληρωμέναcompleted/fulfilledPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · πληρόωpredicate participle (object complement)→ perfect (completed state, here denied)πληρόω: 'fill, complete, bring to fullness'; the works fall short of full measure before God.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἐνώπιον: 'before, in the sight of'; the divine, not human, standard of judgment.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitivethe risen Christ speaks of 'my God' (cf. v.12), affirming his own relation to the Father.
3
μνημόνευε οὖν πῶς εἴληφας καὶ ἤκουσας, καὶ τήρει, καὶ μετανόησον. ἐὰν οὖν μὴ γρηγορήσῃς, ἥξω ὡς κλέπτης, καὶ οὐ μὴ γνῷς ποίαν ὥραν ἥξω ἐπὶ σέ.
Remember, then, how you received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If, then, you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will surely not know at what hour I will come upon you.
Remember, keep, repent — or judgmentοὖνThree imperatives, then a warning. The thief imagery (cf. Mt 24:43; 1 Thess 5:2) presses the failure of vigilance; the emphatic οὐ μή denies any forewarning.
μνημόνευεrememberPres Act Impv 2 Sg · μνημονεύωimperative→ progressive present (keep remembering)μνημονεύω: 'remember, call to mind, keep in memory'; a sustained recollection of the gospel received.
οὖνthereforeinferential particleοὖν: drawing the charge from the verdict of v.2.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (indirect question)πῶς: 'how'; the manner of receiving — earnestly, with what cost.
εἴληφαςyou have receivedPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (indirect question)→ perfect (received and retained)λαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the perfect — what was once received still holds, if not lost.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἤκουσαςyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (indirect question)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the initial hearing of the message.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τήρειkeepPres Act Impv 2 Sg · τηρέωimperative→ progressive present (keep on keeping)τηρέω: 'keep, guard, observe'; hold fast and obey what was received.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μετανόησονrepentAor Act Impv 2 Sg · μετανοέωimperative→ ingressive aorist (decisive act)μετανοέω: 'repent, change one's mind'; the decisive turn demanded of each church (vv.3, 19).
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; conditional warning of consequence.
οὖνtheninferential particle
μὴnotnegative particle (with subj.)
γρηγορήσῃςyou wake upAor Act Subj 2 Sg · γρηγορέωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristγρηγορέω: 'watch, be vigilant'; failure to rouse triggers the thief-coming.
ἥξωI will comeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureἥκω: 'come, arrive, be present'; a sudden visitation in judgment.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the simile.
κλέπτηςa thiefNominativepredicate nominative (in simile)κλέπτης: 'thief'; the unexpected, unwelcome arrival — dominical imagery (Mt 24:43).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐsurely notemphatic negation (οὐ μή)οὐ μή: the strongest Greek negation — 'by no means.'
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή)
γνῷςyou will knowAor Act Subj 2 Sg · γινώσκωsubjunctive of emphatic denial→ ingressive aoristγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; no warning will be given of the hour.
ποίανwhat kind ofAccusativeinterrogative adjective (modifying ὥραν)ποῖος: 'what sort of, which'; the indeterminate hour.
ὥρανhourAccusativeaccusative of time (when)ὥρα: 'hour, time'; accusative marking the point of time, unknown to Sardis.
ἥξωI will comeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (rel./indir. clause)→ predictive futureἥκω: 'come'; the coming repeated for emphasis.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (against)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon, against'; the coming bears down hostilely.
σέyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί
4
ἀλλὰ ἔχεις ὀλίγα ὀνόματα ἐν Σάρδεσιν ἃ οὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, καὶ περιπατήσουσιν μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐν λευκοῖς, ὅτι ἄξιοί εἰσιν.
But you have a few names in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy.
The faithful remnant of SardisἀλλάAn adversative softening: even in dead Sardis a faithful few keep their garments unstained — the white-robe promise anticipates the conqueror reward of v.5 and the worship of ch.7.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but'; turning from rebuke to the exception.
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; the church still 'has' a faithful few.
ὀλίγαa fewAccusativeattributive adjectiveὀλίγος: 'few, small'; the remnant is small.
ὀνόματαnames/personsAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; here by metonymy 'persons, individuals' (cf. Acts 1:15) — picking up ὄνομα of v.1.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΣάρδεσινSardisDativeobject of ἐν (place)Σάρδεις: Sardis; even here a faithful minority.
ἃwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)neuter ἃ agreeing with ὀνόματα, though referring to persons.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐμόλυνανsoiledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μολύνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristμολύνω: 'soil, defile, stain'; they kept clear of the corruption that 'killed' the rest.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect objectἱμάτιον: 'garment, cloak'; the robe as image of conduct/character (cf. 7:14; 19:8).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περιπατήσουσινthey will walkFut Act Indic 3 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb→ predictive futureπεριπατέω: 'walk, go about'; the reward — fellowship with Christ, clothed in purity.
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά + gen.: 'with'; intimate companionship.
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
λευκοῖςwhite (garments)Dativeobject of ἐν (substantival adj.)λευκός: 'white, bright'; the color of purity, victory, and resurrection glory throughout Revelation.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounding the reward in their worthiness.
ἄξιοίworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; not meritorious self-righteousness but the fittingness of the faithful (cf. ἄξιος of the Lamb, 5:9).
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
5
ὁ νικῶν οὕτως περιβαλεῖται ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξαλείψω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς βίβλου τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ ὁμολογήσω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ.
The one who conquers will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will surely not erase his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Promise to the conqueror at SardisasyndetonThe conqueror-promise, threefold: white robes, an indelible name in the book of life, and confession before the Father (cf. Mt 10:32). The emphatic οὐ μή guarantees the name's permanence.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
νικῶνwho conquersPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · νικάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic/ongoing)νικάω: 'conquer, overcome, be victorious'; the refrain of all seven letters — the overcomer who endures to the end.
οὕτωςthusadverb of mannerοὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; i.e. like the faithful of v.4.
περιβαλεῖταιwill be clothedFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · περιβάλλωmain verb→ predictive futureπεριβάλλω (mid.): 'clothe oneself, be arrayed'; the white-robe reward enacted.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (clothing)
ἱματίοιςgarmentsDativeobject of ἐνἱμάτιον: 'garment'; the robe of v.4 now promised to the conqueror.
λευκοῖςwhiteDativeattributive adjectiveλευκός: 'white, bright'; purity and glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐsurely notemphatic negation (οὐ μή)οὐ μή: emphatic denial — the name will never be erased.
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή)
ἐξαλείψωI will eraseFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξαλείφωmain verb (emphatic denial)→ predictive futureἐξαλείφω: 'wipe out, blot out, erase'; the name stays in the register of the living.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the third sense of 'name' in the letter (cf. vv.1, 4).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
βίβλουbookGenitiveobject of ἐκβίβλος: 'book, scroll'; 'the book of life' (cf. 13:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27), the register of the redeemed.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ζωῆςof lifeGenitiveattributive genitiveζωή: 'life'; the book that records those who possess eternal life.
καὶand/butcoordinating conjunction
ὁμολογήσωI will confessFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb→ predictive futureὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge, profess'; the dominical promise to acknowledge the faithful (Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; openly owned before heaven.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονπατήρ: 'Father'; Christ's own Father (cf. 'my God,' v.2).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονἄγγελος: 'angel'; the heavenly court before which the confession is made.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
6
ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις.
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Hearing-formula (Sardis)asyndetonThe refrain closing each letter; though addressed to one church, the Spirit's word is 'to the churches' — all are to overhear and heed.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)ἔχω: 'have'; whoever possesses an ear — the capacity to listen.
οὖςan earAccusativedirect objectοὖς: 'ear'; the organ of spiritual hearing (cf. Mk 4:9).
ἀκουσάτωlet him hearAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (3rd person)→ ingressive aoristἀκούω: 'hear, heed'; the call to attentive obedience.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of λέγει)τίς: 'what'; introducing the indirect question.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Spirit speaks what the risen Christ declares — the words are one.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say'; the Spirit's continuing address.
ταῖςto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίαιςchurchesDativeindirect objectἐκκλησία: 'church'; the plural — every congregation is meant to hear.
7
Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Φιλαδελφείᾳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον· Τάδε λέγει ὁ ἅγιος, ὁ ἀληθινός, ὁ ἔχων τὴν κλεῖν Δαυίδ, ὁ ἀνοίγων καὶ οὐδεὶς κλείσει, καὶ κλείων καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀνοίγει·
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and shuts and no one opens:
Sixth letter opened: PhiladelphiaκαίThe sixth proclamation. The self-titles step beyond ch.1: 'the Holy, the True' (divine attributes) and 'the key of David' (Isa 22:22), the messianic authority to admit or exclude from the kingdom.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῷto theDativearticle
ἀγγέλῳangelDativeindirect object of γράψονἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the church's heavenly representative.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΦιλαδελφείᾳPhiladelphiaDativeobject of ἐν (place)Φιλαδέλφεια: Philadelphia in Lydia, a gateway city ('door' to the Phrygian plateau) prone to earthquakes — apt to the 'open door' and 'pillar' imagery.
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitivegenitive (the church's angel)ἐκκλησία: 'church.'
γράψονwriteAor Act Impv 2 Sg · γράφωimperative→ ingressive aoristγράφω: 'write.'
Τάδεthese thingsAccusativedirect object of λέγειὅδε: 'this'; τάδε λέγει = the prophetic 'thus says.'
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἅγιοςHoly OneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)ἅγιος: 'holy'; a divine title (cf. Isa 40:25; Rev 4:8), here ascribed to Christ.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἀληθινόςTrue OneNominativesubstantival adjective (apposition)ἀληθινός: 'true, genuine, real'; the faithful and authentic one (cf. v.14; 19:11).
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; he wields the key.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κλεῖνkeyAccusativedirect objectκλείς: 'key'; symbol of authority to admit or bar (cf. 1:18, the keys of Death and Hades).
Δαυίδof DavidGenitivegenitive (indeclinable proper noun)Δαυίδ: David; 'the key of David' (Isa 22:22) — Davidic/messianic authority over God's house and kingdom.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀνοίγωνwho opensPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀνοίγωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ present (characteristic)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; his opening is irreversible.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)οὐδείς: 'no one'; none can reverse his act.
κλείσειwill shutFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κλείωmain verb→ predictive futureκλείω: 'shut, close'; what Christ opens stays open.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κλείωνshutsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κλείωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ present (characteristic)κλείω: 'shut'; the converse authority.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)οὐδείς: 'no one.'
ἀνοίγειopensPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀνοίγω: 'open'; what he shuts stays shut — sovereign control of access.
8
Οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα — ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην, ἣν οὐδεὶς δύναται κλεῖσαι αὐτήν — ὅτι μικρὰν ἔχεις δύναμιν, καὶ ἐτήρησάς μου τὸν λόγον, καὶ οὐκ ἠρνήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου.
I know your works — behold, I have set before you an opened door, which no one can shut — that you have little power, and yet you kept my word and did not deny my name.
The open door for the faithful weakasyndetonNo rebuke for Philadelphia. The 'opened door' (perfect ptc. — standing open) is set before a church of small power that has nonetheless been faithful in word and confession.
ΟἶδάI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know'; the diagnostic formula.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect objectἔργον: 'work, deed.'
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (demonstrative)ἰδού: 'behold, look'; frozen imperative of εἶδον, calling attention.
δέδωκαI have given/setPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ perfect (abiding result)δίδωμι: 'give, grant, set'; the door stands given.
ἐνώπιόνbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἐνώπιον: 'before, in front of.'
σουyouGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον
θύρανa doorAccusativedirect objectθύρα: 'door, gate'; an opportunity (mission?) or, more likely here, entrance into the kingdom — guaranteed by the key-holder of v.7.
ἠνεῳγμένηνopenedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ἀνοίγωattributive participle (modifying θύραν)→ perfect (standing open)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the perfect — a door not merely opened but standing open.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (rel. clause)οὐδείς: 'no one.'
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; no one has power to close it.
κλεῖσαιto shutAor Act Inf · κλείωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristκλείω: 'shut, close.'
αὐτήνitAccusativeresumptive pronoun (Semitic redundancy)αὐτήν: a resumptive 'it' after the relative — a Semitic-flavored redundancy typical of Revelation.
ὅτιthat/becauseconjunction (epexegetical/causal)ὅτι: resuming after the parenthesis — 'I know… that you have little power.'
μικρὰνlittleAccusativeattributive adjectiveμικρός: 'small, little'; the church's slender resources.
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have.'
δύναμινpowerAccusativedirect objectδύναμις: 'power, strength'; little of it — yet faithful.
καὶand yetcoordination (concessive nuance)
ἐτήρησάςyou keptAor Act Indic 2 Sg · τηρέωmain verb→ constative aoristτηρέω: 'keep, guard, observe'; faithful to his word.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect objectλόγος: 'word, message'; the word of Christ, faithfully held.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἠρνήσωyou deniedAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀρνέομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀρνέομαι: 'deny, disown, refuse'; they did not disown Christ under pressure.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the name of Christ confessed, not denied.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
9
ἰδοὺ διδῶ ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τοῦ Σατανᾶ, τῶν λεγόντων ἑαυτοὺς Ἰουδαίους εἶναι, καὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν ἀλλὰ ψεύδονται· ἰδοὺ ποιήσω αὐτοὺς ἵνα ἥξουσιν καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, καὶ γνῶσιν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἠγάπησά σε.
Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan — who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
The synagogue of Satan humbledasyndetonThe hostile 'synagogue of Satan' (cf. 2:9) will be made to do homage before the faithful church — a reversal of Isaianic promises (Isa 45:14; 49:23; 60:14) — and to acknowledge Christ's love for it.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (demonstrative)ἰδού: 'behold.'
διδῶI give/grantPres Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ futuristic presentδίδωμι: 'give'; here with a partitive 'some of' construction — 'I will give [some] of the synagogue,' resumed by ποιήσω.
ἐκfrom/ofpreposition + genitive (partitive)ἐκ: partitive — 'some from among.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
συναγωγῆςsynagogueGenitiveobject of ἐκ (partitive)συναγωγή: 'synagogue, assembly'; the hostile gathering branded 'of Satan' (cf. 2:9).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
Σατανᾶof SatanGenitivepossessive genitiveΣατανᾶς: 'Satan, the adversary'; the true allegiance of those persecuting the faithful.
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λεγόντωνwho sayPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ present (ongoing claim)λέγω: 'say, claim'; they falsely claim to be true Jews.
ἑαυτοὺςthemselvesAccusativeaccusative subject of inf.ἑαυτόν: 'themselves'; the reflexive subject of the indirect statement.
ἸουδαίουςJewsAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἶναι)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew, Judean'; here the contested claim to be God's true people.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (indirect discourse)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the content of their claim.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰσὶνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the claim flatly denied.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but.'
ψεύδονταιthey liePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ψεύδομαιmain verb→ customary presentψεύδομαι: 'lie, deceive'; their claim is falsehood.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (demonstrative)ἰδού: 'behold'; resumed after the parenthesis.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ predictive futureποιέω: 'make, cause'; with ἵνα — 'I will make them [so] that they come.'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω
ἵναthatconjunction (content/result, here + future indic.)ἵνα: here introducing the content of the compulsion, with future indicatives — a Koine looseness.
ἥξουσινthey will comeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἥκωmain verb (ἵνα-clause)→ predictive futureἥκω: 'come, arrive'; the adversaries are brought to submission.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσκυνήσουσινthey will bow downFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb (ἵνα-clause)→ predictive futureπροσκυνέω: 'do homage, bow down, worship'; not worship of the church but obeisance acknowledging God's favor on it.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἐνώπιον: 'before.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ποδῶνfeetGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονπούς: 'foot'; bowing at the feet — the posture of homage.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γνῶσινthey will knowAor Act Subj 3 Pl · γινώσκωsubjunctive (ἵνα-clause)→ ingressive aoristγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; they will acknowledge Christ's love for the church.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)ὅτι: introducing what they will know.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: emphatic 'I' — Christ himself has loved this church.
ἠγάπησάhave lovedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ constative aoristἀγαπάω: 'love'; Christ's redeeming love, openly vindicated.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
10
ὅτι ἐτήρησας τὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου, κἀγώ σε τηρήσω ἐκ τῆς ὥρας τοῦ πειρασμοῦ τῆς μελλούσης ἔρχεσθαι ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκουμένης ὅλης, πειράσαι τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Because you kept the word of my endurance, I also will keep you from the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Kept word, kept from the hourὅτιA reward of correspondence: because they 'kept' (ἐτήρησας) the word of endurance, Christ will 'keep' (τηρήσω) them from the coming hour of trial — the wordplay turns faithfulness into preservation.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounding the promise in their endurance.
ἐτήρησαςyou keptAor Act Indic 2 Sg · τηρέωmain verb→ constative aoristτηρέω: 'keep, guard'; deliberately paired with τηρήσω following.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect objectλόγος: 'word'; 'the word of my endurance' = the call to patient steadfastness modeled by Christ.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ὑπομονῆςenduranceGenitivegenitive (descriptive/objective)ὑπομονή: 'endurance, patient steadfastness' (cf. 1:9; 13:10); a Revelation keyword for faithful perseverance.
μουmyGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
κἀγώI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ, emphatic)κἀγώ: 'I too'; the answering pledge.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
τηρήσωwill keepFut Act Indic 1 Sg · τηρέωmain verb→ predictive futureτηρέω: 'keep, guard, preserve'; τηρέω ἐκ — 'keep from/out of,' whether preservation through or removal from the trial.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation/source)ἐκ: 'from, out of'; the much-debated 'keep from the hour.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ὥραςhourGenitiveobject of ἐκὥρα: 'hour, time'; the appointed period of testing.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πειρασμοῦtrial/testingGenitiveattributive genitiveπειρασμός: 'trial, testing, temptation'; the eschatological ordeal.
τῆςthatGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μελλούσηςabout toPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle (modifying ὥρας)→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to'; the imminence of the trial.
ἔρχεσθαιto comePres Mid Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with μελλούσης)→ progressive presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; the trial's arrival.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place/extent)ἐπί + gen.: 'upon, over.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
οἰκουμένηςinhabited worldGenitiveobject of ἐπίοἰκουμένη: 'the inhabited world' (lit. 'the [land] being inhabited'); the whole populated earth.
ὅληςwholeGenitiveattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire'; universal in scope.
πειράσαιto tryAor Act Inf · πειράζωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristπειράζω: 'test, try, tempt'; the purpose of the trial — to test earth-dwellers.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κατοικοῦνταςwho dwellPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (object of πειράσαι)→ present (characteristic)κατοικέω: 'dwell, inhabit'; 'those who dwell on the earth' — in Revelation a near-technical phrase for the unbelieving world (6:10; 13:8).
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land'; the realm of the earth-dwellers.
11
ἔρχομαι ταχύ· κράτει ὃ ἔχεις, ἵνα μηδεὶς λάβῃ τὸν στέφανόν σου.
I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may take your crown.
Hold fast the crownasyndetonA terse double charge: the imminent coming grounds the command to hold fast, lest the prize be lost. The 'crown' (στέφανος, the victor's wreath) is the reward of perseverance.
ἔρχομαιI am comingPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic present (imminence)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present of certain, imminent coming (cf. 22:7, 12, 20).
ταχύquickly/soonadverb of manner/timeταχύ: 'quickly, soon, suddenly'; the nearness that motivates faithfulness.
κράτειhold fastPres Act Impv 2 Sg · κρατέωimperative→ progressive present (keep holding)κρατέω: 'hold fast, grasp, retain'; a firm, continual grip.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; the faith and faithfulness already possessed.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose/result)ἵνα: 'so that'; the aim of holding fast.
μηδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)μηδείς: 'no one'; the threat of forfeiture.
λάβῃtakeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαμβάνωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, seize'; the crown can be lost to a usurper.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
στέφανόνcrownAccusativedirect objectστέφανος: 'crown, wreath' — the victor's garland, not the royal διάδημα; the reward of the conqueror (cf. 2:10).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
12
ὁ νικῶν, ποιήσω αὐτὸν στῦλον ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ θεοῦ μου, καὶ ἔξω οὐ μὴ ἐξέλθῃ ἔτι, καὶ γράψω ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ μου καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς πόλεως τοῦ θεοῦ μου, τῆς καινῆς Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ καταβαίνουσα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ μου, καὶ τὸ ὄνομά μου τὸ καινόν.
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never again go outside; and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God — the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God — and my own new name.
Promise to the conqueror at PhiladelphiaasyndetonThe conqueror-promise, rich in permanence imagery for an earthquake-prone city: a fixed pillar in the temple, never displaced, inscribed with the threefold name of God, the new Jerusalem, and Christ — total belonging. The opening ὁ νικῶν is a hanging nominative resumed by αὐτόν.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
νικῶνwho conquersPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · νικάωpendent nominative (resumed by αὐτόν)→ present (characteristic)νικάω: 'conquer, overcome'; the hanging nominative — 'as for the one who conquers, I will make him…'
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ predictive futureποιέω: 'make'; Christ transforms the conqueror into a pillar.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (resumes ὁ νικῶν)
στῦλονa pillarAccusativeobject complementστῦλος: 'pillar, column'; an image of permanence and honor — fixed forever in God's temple.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
ναῷtemple/sanctuaryDativeobject of ἐνναός: 'temple, inner sanctuary'; the dwelling of God's presence (cf. 21:22, where God and the Lamb are themselves the temple).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitiveθεός: God; 'my God' repeated fourfold here — Christ's intimate relation to the Father.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔξωoutsideadverb of placeἔξω: 'outside, out'; never again expelled.
οὐsurely notemphatic negation (οὐ μή)οὐ μή: emphatic denial.
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή)
ἐξέλθῃwill go outAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιsubjunctive of emphatic denial→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart'; permanent security in God's presence.
ἔτιanymoreadverb of timeἔτι: 'still, anymore'; 'never again.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γράψωI will writeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ predictive futureγράφω: 'write, inscribe'; marking ownership (cf. 14:1; 22:4).
ἐπ’onpreposition + accusative (upon)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the first of three inscribed names — God's.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the second inscribed name — the city's.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πόλεωςcityGenitivepossessive genitiveπόλις: 'city'; the city of God, identified as the new Jerusalem.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
καινῆςnewGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new' (qualitatively new, not merely recent); the eschatological Jerusalem (cf. 21:2).
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemGenitiveapposition (indeclinable)Ἰερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem; the heavenly city in apposition to 'the city of my God.'
ἡthe oneNominativearticle (nom. in apposition — solecism)the nominative ἡ καταβαίνουσα stands in apposition to the genitive Ἰερουσαλήμ — a characteristic Revelation solecism.
καταβαίνουσαcoming downPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · καταβαίνωattributive participle (loose apposition)→ present (ongoing/characteristic)καταβαίνω: 'come down, descend'; the city descends from heaven (cf. 21:2, 10).
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐκοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the city's origin.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπό: 'from'; the ultimate source — God.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the third inscribed name — Christ's own.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
τὸtheAccusativearticle
καινόνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new'; Christ's new name (cf. 19:12), a share in his eschatological glory.
13
ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις.
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Hearing-formula (Philadelphia)asyndetonThe closing refrain, identical to v.6 — the Spirit's word to all the churches.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)ἔχω: 'have'; whoever has an ear.
οὖςan earAccusativedirect objectοὖς: 'ear'; the organ of spiritual hearing.
ἀκουσάτωlet him hearAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (3rd person)→ ingressive aoristἀκούω: 'hear, heed.'
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)τίς: 'what.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit.'
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say.'
ταῖςto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίαιςchurchesDativeindirect objectἐκκλησία: 'church.'
14
Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον· Τάδε λέγει ὁ Ἀμήν, ὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστὸς καὶ ἀληθινός, ἡ ἀρχὴ τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ θεοῦ·
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning (ruler) of God's creation:
Seventh letter opened: LaodiceaκαίThe seventh and last proclamation. The self-titles are not from ch.1 but freshly minted: 'the Amen' (Isa 65:16, the God of truth), 'the faithful and true witness' (cf. 1:5), and 'the beginning/ruler of God's creation' — protological and christological at once.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῷto theDativearticle
ἀγγέλῳangelDativeindirect object of γράψονἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΛαοδικείᾳLaodiceaDativeobject of ἐν (place)Λαοδίκεια: Laodicea, a wealthy banking, textile (black wool), and medical (eye-salve) center — its prosperity and tepid water supply underlie vv.15–18.
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitivegenitive (the church's angel)ἐκκλησία: 'church.'
γράψονwriteAor Act Impv 2 Sg · γράφωimperative→ ingressive aoristγράφω: 'write.'
Τάδεthese thingsAccusativedirect object of λέγειὅδε: 'this'; τάδε λέγει = 'thus says.'
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantival)
ἈμήνAmenNominativesubstantival title (indeclinable Hebraism)ἀμήν: from Heb. 'amen' ('truly, surely'); as a title for Christ it echoes 'the God of Amen/truth' (Isa 65:16) — the one in whom God's promises are 'Yes' (2 Cor 1:20).
ὁtheNominativearticle
μάρτυςwitnessNominativeapposition (subject title)μάρτυς: 'witness'; Christ as the trustworthy testifier (cf. 1:5; 22:20).
ὁtheNominativearticle
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativeattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy, reliable'; the dependable witness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀληθινόςtrueNominativeattributive adjectiveἀληθινός: 'true, genuine'; his testimony is wholly reliable (cf. v.7).
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀρχὴbeginning/origin/rulerNominativeapposition (subject title)ἀρχή: 'beginning, origin, first cause' or 'ruler, sovereignty'; here likely both — Christ as the originating source (cf. Col 1:15–18; Prov 8:22) and the ruler of God's creation, not a created beginning.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κτίσεωςcreationGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveκτίσις: 'creation, what is created'; the whole created order, of which Christ is origin and head.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitiveθεός: God; the creation that is God's work.
15
Οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα, ὅτι οὔτε ψυχρὸς εἶ οὔτε ζεστός. ὄφελον ψυχρὸς ἦς ἢ ζεστός.
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!
Neither cold nor hotasyndetonThe diagnosis: Laodicea is neither cold nor hot. The wish (ὄφελον) that it were even cold prepares the verdict of v.16 — usefulness, like the cold springs of Colossae or the hot springs of Hierapolis nearby, is preferable to the useless tepid.
ΟἶδάI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know'; the diagnostic formula.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect objectἔργον: 'work, deed.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical)ὅτι: unpacking the works.
οὔτεneithernegative correlativeοὔτε … οὔτε: 'neither … nor.'
ψυχρὸςcoldNominativepredicate adjectiveψυχρός: 'cold'; here a positive image (refreshing cold water), not spiritual deadness.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ζεστόςhotNominativepredicate adjectiveζεστός: 'hot, boiling' (from ζέω, 'boil'); the useful hot of healing springs.
ὄφελονwould thatparticle introducing unattainable wishὄφελον: fixed particle (from ὀφείλω) introducing a wish — 'would that, if only.'
ψυχρὸςcoldNominativepredicate adjectiveψυχρός: 'cold'; even coldness would be preferable to uselessness.
ἦςyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίverb of unreal wish (with ὄφελον)→ imperfect (contrary-to-fact wish)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect after ὄφελον expresses an unfulfilled wish.
ἢordisjunctive particleἤ: 'or.'
ζεστόςhotNominativepredicate adjectiveζεστός: 'hot.'
16
οὕτως, ὅτι χλιαρὸς εἶ καὶ οὔτε ζεστὸς οὔτε ψυχρός, μέλλω σε ἐμέσαι ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου.
So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The lukewarm spat outasyndetonThe verdict on the tepid. The metaphor draws on Laodicea's notoriously lukewarm aqueduct water — nauseating, fit only to be spat out. χλιαρός occurs only here in the NT.
οὕτωςso/thusinferential adverbοὕτως: 'thus, so'; drawing the consequence.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; the ground of the threat.
χλιαρὸςlukewarmNominativepredicate adjectiveχλιαρός: 'tepid, lukewarm' (NT hapax); the nauseating middle state — the central image of the letter.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὔτεneithernegative correlativeοὔτε … οὔτε: 'neither … nor.'
ζεστὸςhotNominativepredicate adjectiveζεστός: 'hot'; the order ζεστός–ψυχρός reverses v.15 for rhetorical effect.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ψυχρόςcoldNominativepredicate adjectiveψυχρός: 'cold.'
μέλλωI am aboutPres Act Indic 1 Sg · μέλλωmain verb→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be on the point of'; the imminence of the threat — yet still conditional, as vv.18–19 show.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of inf. / object
ἐμέσαιto vomit/spit outAor Act Inf · ἐμέωcomplementary infinitive (with μέλλω)→ constative aoristἐμέω: 'vomit, spew out' (NT hapax); the visceral rejection of the tepid.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)ἐκ: 'out of.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
στόματόςmouthGenitiveobject of ἐκστόμα: 'mouth'; completing the vomit metaphor.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
17
ὅτι λέγεις ὅτι Πλούσιός εἰμι καὶ πεπλούτηκα καὶ οὐδὲν χρείαν ἔχω, καὶ οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ταλαίπωρος καὶ ἐλεεινὸς καὶ πτωχὸς καὶ τυφλὸς καὶ γυμνός,
Because you say, 'I am rich, and I have grown wealthy, and I have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are the wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked one,
Self-deceived wealthὅτιThe root of the lukewarmness: complacent self-sufficiency. The fivefold catalogue (wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, naked) overturns Laodicea's boasts in banking, eye-medicine, and textiles point by point.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; the deeper ground of the verdict.
λέγειςyou sayPres Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: 'say'; the self-assessment.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing direct quote)ὅτι: recitative — introducing the church's words verbatim.
ΠλούσιόςrichNominativepredicate adjectiveπλούσιος: 'rich, wealthy'; the boast — materially true (Laodicea refused Roman earthquake aid), spiritually false.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πεπλούτηκαI have grown richPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · πλουτέωmain verb→ perfect (acquired and abiding state)πλουτέω: 'be/become rich, prosper'; the perfect — 'I have made my fortune and have it.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativeaccusative of respect / objectοὐδείς: 'nothing'; the climax of complacency — 'I need nothing.'
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object (χρείαν ἔχω = 'have need')χρεία: 'need, lack'; χρείαν ἔχω, 'to have need.'
ἔχωI havePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have.'
καὶand yetadversative coordinationκαί: here adversative — the reality against the boast.
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἶδαςyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know'; the church is blind to its true state.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)ὅτι: introducing what it fails to know.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: emphatic 'you' — 'you, of all churches.'
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (with the predicate string)the article gathers the five adjectives into a single damning portrait — 'the wretched one.'
ταλαίπωροςwretchedNominativepredicate adjectiveταλαίπωρος: 'wretched, miserable, distressed' (cf. Rom 7:24); the first of five.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλεεινὸςpitiableNominativepredicate adjectiveἐλεεινός: 'pitiable, to be pitied'; deserving of mercy, not envy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πτωχὸςpoorNominativepredicate adjectiveπτωχός: 'poor, destitute, beggarly'; an irony against the banking city.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τυφλὸςblindNominativepredicate adjectiveτυφλός: 'blind'; an irony against the city famed for eye-salve.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γυμνόςnakedNominativepredicate adjectiveγυμνός: 'naked, bare'; an irony against the wool-and-textile center.
18
συμβουλεύω σοι ἀγοράσαι παρ’ ἐμοῦ χρυσίον πεπυρωμένον ἐκ πυρὸς ἵνα πλουτήσῃς, καὶ ἱμάτια λευκὰ ἵνα περιβάλῃ καὶ μὴ φανερωθῇ ἡ αἰσχύνη τῆς γυμνότητός σου, καὶ κολλούριον ἐγχρῖσαι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου ἵνα βλέπῃς.
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness not be exposed, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Counsel to buy true richesasyndetonThe remedy answers the three boasts in order: gold refined by fire for the bank, white garments for the textiles, eye-salve for the medical school — all to be bought 'from me,' the only true source.
συμβουλεύωI counselPres Act Indic 1 Sg · συμβουλεύωmain verb→ progressive presentσυμβουλεύω: 'advise, counsel'; gentle irony toward a self-sufficient church now needing advice.
σοιyouDativeindirect object
ἀγοράσαιto buyAor Act Inf · ἀγοράζωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἀγοράζω: 'buy, purchase'; cf. Isa 55:1, buying 'without money' — grace, not merit.
παρ’frompreposition + genitive (source)παρά + gen.: 'from'; Christ is the sole supplier of true wealth.
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of παρά
χρυσίονgoldAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσαιχρυσίον: 'gold'; true riches answering the banking boast.
πεπυρωμένονrefinedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · πυρόωattributive participle (modifying χρυσίον)→ perfect (refined state)πυρόω: 'burn, refine by fire'; tested, purified faith (cf. 1 Pet 1:7).
ἐκby/frompreposition + genitive (means/source)ἐκ: 'out of, by means of.'
πυρὸςfireGenitiveobject of ἐκπῦρ: 'fire'; the refining agent.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'so that.'
πλουτήσῃςyou may be richAor Act Subj 2 Sg · πλουτέωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristπλουτέω: 'be/become rich'; true wealth answering the false boast of v.17.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσαιἱμάτιον: 'garment'; answering the textile boast and the nakedness of v.17.
λευκὰwhiteAccusativeattributive adjectiveλευκός: 'white'; purity over Laodicea's prized black wool.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'so that.'
περιβάλῃyou may be clothedAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · περιβάλλωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristπεριβάλλω (mid.): 'clothe oneself'; cover the shameful nakedness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with subj.)
φανερωθῇbe exposedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · φανερόωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristφανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal, expose'; the shame kept from public view.
ἡtheNominativearticle
αἰσχύνηshameNominativesubject of φανερωθῇαἰσχύνη: 'shame, disgrace'; the exposure of spiritual destitution.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γυμνότητόςnakednessGenitivegenitive (descriptive)γυμνότης: 'nakedness'; abstract of γυμνός (v.17).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κολλούριονeye-salveAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσαικολλούριον: 'eye-salve' (a Laodicean medical specialty); answering the blindness of v.17.
ἐγχρῖσαιto anointAor Act Inf · ἐγχρίωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristἐγχρίω: 'rub in, anoint'; applying the salve to the eyes.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμούςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἐγχρῖσαιὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the organ to be healed.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'so that.'
βλέπῃςyou may seePres Act Subj 2 Sg · βλέπωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ progressive presentβλέπω: 'see, perceive'; recovered spiritual sight.
19
ἐγὼ ὅσους ἐὰν φιλῶ ἐλέγχω καὶ παιδεύω· ζήλευε οὖν καὶ μετανόησον.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; so be zealous and repent.
Loving discipline; be zealous and repentasyndetonThe rebuke is grounded in love (φιλέω; cf. Prov 3:12). The verse pivots from diagnosis to charge — the imperatives ζήλευε and μετανόησον reverse the lukewarm complacency.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: emphatic 'I' — Christ's own loving discipline.
ὅσουςas many asAccusativecorrelative pronoun (object of φιλῶ)ὅσος: 'as many as, whoever'; the indefinite relative.
ἐὰνeverparticle (generalizing, = ἄν)ἐάν: here for ἄν, generalizing the relative — 'whomever.'
φιλῶI lovePres Act Subj 1 Sg · φιλέωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ customary presentφιλέω: 'love, have affection for'; warm, familial love — the basis of the discipline.
ἐλέγχωI reprovePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐλέγχωmain verb→ customary presentἐλέγχω: 'reprove, convict, expose, rebuke'; bringing fault to light.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παιδεύωI disciplinePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παιδεύωmain verb→ customary presentπαιδεύω: 'train, discipline, chasten'; fatherly correction (Prov 3:12; Heb 12:6).
ζήλευεbe zealousPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ζηλεύωimperative→ progressive present (sustained zeal)ζηλεύω: 'be zealous, earnest'; the cure for the lukewarm — burning earnestness.
οὖνthereforeinferential particleοὖν: drawing the charge from the love just affirmed.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μετανόησονrepentAor Act Impv 2 Sg · μετανοέωimperative→ ingressive aorist (decisive turn)μετανοέω: 'repent, change one's mind'; the decisive break with complacency (cf. v.3).
20
ἰδοὺ ἕστηκα ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν καὶ κρούω· ἐάν τις ἀκούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς μου καὶ ἀνοίξῃ τὴν θύραν, εἰσελεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ δειπνήσω μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ αὐτὸς μετ’ ἐμοῦ.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.
Christ at the doorasyndetonThe tender appeal that crowns the seven letters: Christ, excluded by the self-satisfied church, stands knocking, and to the individual who opens he promises intimate table-fellowship. The shared meal (δειπνέω) anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9).
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (demonstrative)ἰδού: 'behold, look'; the arresting call.
ἕστηκαI standPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb→ perfect with present force (a settled standing)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the perfect 'I have taken my stand and stand' — Christ persistently waiting at the door.
ἐπὶatpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπί + acc.: 'at, by, against'; right at the door.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θύρανdoorAccusativeobject of ἐπίθύρα: 'door'; the threshold of the heart/church Christ would enter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κρούωI knockPres Act Indic 1 Sg · κρούωmain verb→ progressive present (continual knocking)κρούω: 'knock'; the persistent appeal for entry (cf. Lk 12:36).
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; the open invitation to whoever responds.
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'anyone'; the appeal turns to the individual.
ἀκούσῃhearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀκούωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristἀκούω: 'hear, heed'; hearing his knock and voice.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσῃφωνή: 'voice, sound'; ἀκούω + gen. — heeding the voice that accompanies the knock.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνοίξῃopensAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; the act of welcome — note the contrast with the door Christ alone opens (v.7).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θύρανdoorAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίξῃθύρα: 'door'; opened from within in response.
εἰσελεύσομαιI will come inFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, come in'; Christ's entry and abiding presence.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (toward)πρός + acc.: 'to, toward'; entering into relationship with him.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δειπνήσωI will dineFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δειπνέωmain verb→ predictive futureδειπνέω: 'dine, eat the main meal'; intimate fellowship, foreshadowing the messianic banquet (19:9).
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά + gen.: 'with.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of μετά
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (verb δειπνήσει implied)the mutuality — 'and he with me'; reciprocal communion.
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά + gen.: 'with.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά
21
ὁ νικῶν, δώσω αὐτῷ καθίσαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ μου, ὡς κἀγὼ ἐνίκησα καὶ ἐκάθισα μετὰ τοῦ πατρός μου ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ αὐτοῦ.
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Promise to the conqueror at LaodiceaasyndetonThe climactic conqueror-promise of the seven: co-enthronement with Christ, patterned on his own victory and session with the Father. The opening ὁ νικῶν is again a hanging nominative resumed by αὐτῷ.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
νικῶνwho conquersPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · νικάωpendent nominative (resumed by αὐτῷ)→ present (characteristic)νικάω: 'conquer, overcome'; the final conqueror-promise.
δώσωI will grantFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give, grant'; the gift of co-enthronement.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (resumes ὁ νικῶν)
καθίσαιto sitAor Act Inf · καθίζωcomplementary infinitive (with δώσω)→ ingressive aoristκαθίζω: 'sit, take one's seat'; sharing Christ's royal session.
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά + gen.: 'with.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά
ἐνonpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in, on'; on the throne.
τῷtheDativearticle
θρόνῳthroneDativeobject of ἐνθρόνος: 'throne'; the seat of royal authority shared with the conqueror.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as, just as'; the pattern is Christ's own victory.
κἀγὼI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ, emphatic)κἀγώ: 'I too'; Christ's own precedent.
ἐνίκησαconqueredAor Act Indic 1 Sg · νικάωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristνικάω: 'conquer, overcome'; Christ's decisive victory in his death and resurrection (cf. 5:5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκάθισαsat downAor Act Indic 1 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristκαθίζω: 'sit down'; the heavenly session at the Father's side (cf. Ps 110:1; Heb 1:3).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά + gen.: 'with.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitiveobject of μετάπατήρ: 'Father'; the Father with whom Christ reigns.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐνonpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
θρόνῳthroneDativeobject of ἐνθρόνος: 'throne'; the Father's throne, shared by Christ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
22
ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις.
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Hearing-formula (Laodicea) — sealing the sevenasyndetonThe seventh and final hearing-formula, sealing all seven letters. The Spirit's word, spoken to one church at a time, is the word to the whole church through the ages.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)ἔχω: 'have'; whoever has an ear.
οὖςan earAccusativedirect objectοὖς: 'ear'; the organ of spiritual hearing.
ἀκουσάτωlet him hearAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (3rd person)→ ingressive aoristἀκούω: 'hear, heed.'
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)τίς: 'what.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit.'
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say.'
ταῖςto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίαιςchurchesDativeindirect objectἐκκλησία: 'church'; the plural sealing all seven addresses.