Revelation 2 18

Revelation 2:18 kjv

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 2:18 nkjv

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

Revelation 2:18 niv

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Revelation 2:18 esv

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Revelation 2:18 nlt

"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 18 Meaning

Revelation 2:18 opens Christ's specific message to the church in Thyatira. He introduces Himself as the "Son of God," directly affirming His unique divine identity, ultimate authority, and rightful Lordship over all creation. His "eyes like a flame of fire" symbolize His penetrating omniscience, allowing Him to discern every hidden motive, sin, and compromise within the church. This fiery gaze signifies purification, righteous indignation, and profound judgment. Furthermore, His "feet like fine brass" convey His unwavering purity, steadfastness, and powerful authority to execute righteous judgment, to establish truth, and to ultimately conquer all forms of evil and compromise that the Thyatiran believers faced.

Revelation 2 18 Context

Revelation 2:18 introduces the fourth of seven letters Christ dictates to John for specific churches in Asia Minor. Each letter addresses the spiritual condition of a church, often tailoring Christ's self-description to the unique challenges faced. Thyatira was a prosperous commercial city, renowned for its trade guilds (like dyers, tanners, potters). Economic survival for artisans often required membership and participation in these guilds' social and religious functions, which typically involved feasting in pagan temples, idol worship, and often immoral practices. This environment pressured Christians to compromise their faith, leading to tolerance of false teaching (as seen in the "Jezebel" figure later in the letter) and participation in idolatrous practices. Christ's self-description in verse 18 directly precedes and grounds His subsequent commendations for their love and service, but also His strong rebuke against their tolerance of pervasive sin and calls them to repentance.

Revelation 2 18 Word analysis

• And to the angel (καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ - kai tō angelō): "Angel" here most likely refers to the human leader, pastor, or messenger of the local church in Thyatira, who serves as the recipient and conveyor of this divine message.
• of the church (τῆς ἐκκλησίας - tēs ekklēsias): Designates the gathered assembly of believers, those "called out" for God's purposes, located specifically in Thyatira.
• in Thyatira (ἐν Θυατείροις - en Thyateirois): Refers to the specific city, a wealthy commercial hub in Lydia known for its extensive network of trade guilds and associations that exerted significant pressure on its citizens regarding religious practices.
• write (γράψον - grapsō): An imperative command from Christ, emphasizing the urgency and authority of the divine message to be formally recorded and communicated.
• These things says (Τάδε λέγει - Tade legei): A formal, authoritative opening phrase, characteristic of prophetic pronouncements in both the Old and New Testaments, indicating the direct word of the divine speaker.
• the Son of God (ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ - ho Huios tou Theou): A powerful theological assertion of Christ's deity, distinct and unique in His divine sonship, expressing His unique relationship with the Father and His supreme authority over all, including local deities or emperors.
• who has eyes (ὁ ἔχων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς - ho echōn tous ophthalmoi): Signifies a present and enduring characteristic of Christ. The eyes are organs of perception and often of judgment in scripture.
• like a flame of fire (ὡς φλόγα πυρός - hōs phloga pyros): Symbolizes the intensity, purity, penetrating discernment, and judging power of Christ's gaze. It denotes His omniscience, seeing through all facades and into the very core of one's being, including hidden sins and motivations. It also carries connotations of purification and consuming wrath against evil.
• and His feet (καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ - kai hoi podes autou): Refers to Christ's foundation, movement, and the agency by which He acts in judgment or establishment of His reign.
• like fine brass (ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ - homoioi chalkolibano): "Fine brass" (chalkolibanos) is a distinct term for a shining, refined, perhaps molten or glowing, strong metal. It symbolizes unyielding power, steadfast purity, and unassailable authority in executing righteous judgment. It depicts Christ's unwavering resolve to overcome unrighteousness and stand firm on truth.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "These things says the Son of God": This initial declaration immediately establishes the unparalleled divine authority and identity of the one speaking. It elevates the ensuing message above mere human counsel to a direct pronouncement from the very Son of the living God, demanding ultimate submission and obedience, especially significant in a city prone to syncretism.
• "who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass": This dual imagery encapsulates two crucial aspects of Christ's person directly relevant to Thyatira's state. The "eyes like a flame of fire" signify His omniscient ability to discern deeply and judge perfectly, exposing the hidden idolatry and immorality that the church was tolerating. The "feet like fine brass" convey His unwavering foundation, His absolute power to overcome spiritual corruption, and His unwavering resolve to tread down sin and establish righteousness, assuring believers of His enduring strength against prevailing wickedness.

Revelation 2 18 Bonus section

• The title "Son of God" used here is a strong emphasis on Christ's inherent divinity and preeminence, a crucial counter-point to the pervasive polytheism and imperial cults prevalent in cities like Thyatira.
• The attributes of Christ (eyes of fire, feet of brass) presented in Rev 2:18 are specific echoes of the majestic vision of Christ described in Revelation 1:14-15, where John first sees the glorified Lord. Each letter selects particular facets of this initial vision to specifically highlight aspects of Christ's character pertinent to the issues facing that local church.
• The Greek word for "fine brass," chalkolibanos (χαλκολιβάνῳ), is a hapax legomenon in the Bible outside of Revelation 1:15 and 2:18, suggesting a very unique or highly refined form of metal, reinforcing the symbolic emphasis on exceptional strength, purity, and brightness beyond common bronze. Some scholars debate if it refers to a specific strong alloy or even electrum (an alloy of gold and silver), highlighting its value and unyielding nature.
• Thyatira was historically known for its dyeing industry, specifically for purple dye. Lydia, mentioned in Acts 16, a believer from Thyatira, was a seller of purple goods. This economic background underscores the specific pressures faced by Christians in a guild-dominated city, where their livelihood might be intricately tied to pagan religious practices.

Revelation 2 18 Commentary

Revelation 2:18 introduces Christ to the church in Thyatira with attributes that perfectly address their compromised spiritual state. His identification as "the Son of God" directly counters any false authorities, reminding the Thyatirans of His unique divinity and supreme lordship over all, particularly potent where loyalty might be divided by civic and trade-guild pressures toward idolatry. The vivid imagery of His "eyes like a flame of fire" conveys His penetrating, omniscient gaze that sees through all outward appearances into the depths of their hearts and motives. This attribute indicates that He fully perceives the tolerated immorality and false teachings that are secretly corrupting the church. Furthermore, His "feet like fine brass" speak of His unyielding purity, steadfast power, and unbreakable authority to execute righteous judgment. This powerful imagery signifies His ability to stand firm against all ungodliness, to crush opposition, and to establish truth. Christ is depicted as one who sees everything and is capable of decisively dealing with both sin and those who cause it, offering hope to the faithful and a clear warning to the unrepentant amidst Thyatira's pervasive idolatry and moral laxity.