Revelation 2:2 kjv

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Revelation 2:2 nkjv

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

Revelation 2:2 niv

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

Revelation 2:2 esv

"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

Revelation 2:2 nlt

"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 2 Meaning

Revelation 2:2 reveals Christ's comprehensive insight into the diligent and discerning actions of the Ephesian church. He commends their tireless dedication and steadfast perseverance in their work for the Lord, even amidst trials. Beyond their commendable efforts, He praises their unwavering moral resolve, demonstrating that they actively rejected and did not tolerate wickedness within their midst. Crucially, the verse highlights their acute spiritual discernment, having rigorously examined those who falsely claimed apostolic authority, exposing their deception and recognizing them as liars. This commendation establishes a strong foundation of faithfulness and doctrinal purity within the Ephesian assembly.

Revelation 2 2 Context

Revelation 2:2 is the initial praise Jesus Christ, speaking through John, gives to the church in Ephesus, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor. This verse follows the detailed self-description of Christ as "him that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev 2:1), signifying His authoritative oversight and presence within the churches. Historically, Ephesus was a major cultural and commercial hub, renowned for its Temple of Artemis (Diana) and deep-seated idolatry. It was also a vital center for early Christianity, with Paul ministering there for over two years, and where Apollos and Priscilla had significant influence (Acts 19). Timothy served as pastor there (1 Tim 1:3), and John himself may have spent his later years in Ephesus.

Given the prevalent syncretism and philosophical diversity of the Roman Empire, the early church faced immense pressure to dilute its distinctive teachings or incorporate elements of paganism and various philosophical schools. False teachers, sometimes claiming direct revelations or unique authority (like those later identified as Gnostics or Docetists), were a significant threat. The Ephesian church's discernment praised in this verse reflects their faithfulness to the apostolic teachings delivered to them by Paul and others, standing firm against corrupting influences that often accompanied such false claims, including moral compromises and denial of core Christian truths. This active resistance against deception was critical for the survival and purity of the nascent church in a challenging environment.

Revelation 2 2 Word analysis

• I know: (KJV)  oida (οἶδα) - This is a perfect tense verb, conveying a settled, comprehensive knowledge that includes perception, understanding, and even an experiential knowing. It’s not just intellectual awareness but a profound, personal acquaintance. Here, it signifies Christ's omniscience and His intimate observation of the church's every aspect, leaving no deed unnoticed. It underlines the divine authority behind His assessment.

• thy works: (KJV) erga (ἔργα) - Refers to their actions, deeds, or labor. It denotes the overall practical output of their faith, everything they did as a Christian community, from evangelism and charity to their daily walk. These are external manifestations, but also imply internal motivations observed by Christ.

• and thy labour: (KJV) kopos (κόπος) - Signifies toil, strenuous effort, wearying work, even exhaustion from intense labor. This goes beyond mere "works" to imply burdensome, self-sacrificial effort, likely in their ministry and propagation of the gospel. It emphasizes the costliness and dedication of their service.

• and thy patience: (KJV) hypomonē (ὑπομονή) - Translated as steadfastness, endurance, perseverance, especially under suffering or adversity. It is an active waiting, not passive resignation, implying consistency and fidelity even when faced with opposition or long periods of trial. It speaks to their resilient spirit in faith.

• and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: (KJV) kai hoti ou dynei bastasai kakous (καὶ ὅτι οὐ δύνῃ βαστάσαι κακούς) -

  • canst not bear: ou dynei bastasai (οὐ δύνῃ βαστάσαι) - Literally, "you are not able to bear," "to carry," or "to tolerate." This indicates a firm, principled refusal to endorse or allow evil actions or individuals within their community. It shows moral integrity and a commitment to holiness, rejecting any compromise with ungodliness.
  • them which are evil: kakous (κακούς) - Refers to wicked or morally bad people, not just "bad things." This highlights their active spiritual discipline and vigilance against immoral behavior or individuals corrupting the church.

• and thou hast tried them: (KJV) kai epeirasas autous (καὶ ἐπείρασας αὐτούς) -

  • tried: epeirasas (ἐπείρασας) - The aorist verb peirazo (πειράζω) means to put to the test, to examine, to prove. It's a proactive, investigative action. The Ephesians didn't just passively listen but critically evaluated the claims of teachers. This shows sound judgment and doctrinal purity.

• which say they are apostles, and are not: (KJV) tous legontas heautous apostolous kai ouk eisin (τοὺς λέγοντας ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστόλους καὶ οὐκ εἰσίν) - This phrase describes impostors.

  • say they are apostles: tous legontas heautous apostolous (τοὺς λέγοντας ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστόλους) - Self-proclaimed authority figures who asserted special commissioning or status akin to the true apostles of Christ (like Paul, Peter, John). In the early church, apostles were foundational figures directly appointed by Christ, or sent with His authority to found and oversee churches.
  • and are not: kai ouk eisin (καὶ οὐκ εἰσίν) - A definitive negative. They lacked genuine apostolic credentials, divine authorization, or faithful adherence to the original Gospel message. This highlights a critical need for discerning false authority.

• and hast found them liars: (KJV) kai heures autous pseudeis (καὶ εὗρες αὐτοὺς ψευδεῖς) -

  • found them: heures autous (εὗρες αὐτούς) - Indicates a discovered conclusion after examination. Their test yielded a clear, verified outcome.
  • liars: pseudeis (ψευδεῖς) - Deceptive, untruthful. Not only were their claims to apostleship false, but their teachings and character were also deceitful, possibly promoting heresy or immoral practices. This confirms their discerning judgment was correct.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience": This group highlights Christ's intimate knowledge and affirmation of the Ephesian church's outward spiritual vitality. Their works show overall activity, their labour denotes diligent, sacrificial effort, and their patience (endurance) speaks to their steadfast character in trials. It's a progression from activity to exertion to perseverance, a strong set of commendations.
• "and how thou canst not bear them which are evil": This phrase underlines the church's strong ethical stance and commitment to purity within its fellowship. They actively resisted and refused to tolerate unrighteousness, maintaining moral discipline in a morally lax culture. This wasn't merely doctrinal orthodoxy but practical orthopraxy.
• "and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars": This points to the church's crucial function as guardians of truth and doctrine. Their testing implies an application of an objective standard (the true apostolic message). Their success in identifying these impostors demonstrates acute spiritual discernment, vigilance, and the wisdom to protect the flock from deceitful teachings and destructive influences. This was vital in an age of emerging heresies and itinerant preachers.

Revelation 2 2 Bonus section

The active "testing" performed by the Ephesian church resonates with other New Testament calls to evaluate spiritual claims (e.g., 1 John 4:1, 1 Thes 5:21). This wasn't a mere passive reception of doctrine but a proactive investigation, indicating a healthy level of spiritual maturity and vigilance among its members. It also suggests that early apostolic churches instilled a robust foundation of biblical teaching, enabling believers to distinguish truth from error. While Rev 2:2 heaps praise upon their discerning minds and disciplined behavior, the subsequent verse (Rev 2:4) reveals their significant flaw: they had "left their first love." This stark contrast serves as a critical reminder that while right actions and sound doctrine are indispensable, they must flow from a vibrant, heartfelt love for Christ. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy, though vital, are incomplete without orthokardia (right-heartedness) centered on Jesus. The very diligence praised here might have, subtly, begun to overshadow their devotional ardor.

Revelation 2 2 Commentary

Revelation 2:2 offers a profound initial commendation to the Ephesian church, outlining their praiseworthy spiritual discipline and active commitment to truth. Christ, with His omnipresent knowledge, observed not only their consistent performance in ministry and sacrificial toil, but also their admirable ability to endure hardships with patient fortitude. Their commendable purity was evident in their steadfast refusal to tolerate those who practiced evil within their community. Furthermore, a highly significant strength of the Ephesians was their acute discernment; they did not blindly accept all who presented themselves as spiritual authorities. Instead, they rigorously examined self-proclaimed apostles against sound doctrine and conduct, courageously exposing them as deceitful. This highlights a church deeply invested in preserving the integrity of the Gospel and protecting its members from false teachings. Their fidelity to truth was robust, manifesting in both their ethical purity and their doctrinal vigilance against heresy.

For practical usage, this verse exemplifies:

• The importance of diligent service for Christ, understanding that He sees and acknowledges every effort.
• The necessity of ethical boundaries within the Christian community, rejecting sin and ungodliness.
• The vital role of discernment and testing teachings against God's Word, guarding against false teachers and ideologies that deviate from core Christian truth.