Revelation 2:4 kjv

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:4 nkjv

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Revelation 2:4 niv

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 esv

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 nlt

"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 4 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial point of correction for the Ephesian church, despite their commendation for various positive qualities. It reveals that while they excelled in deeds, toil, patience, and discerning false teachings, they had, nevertheless, abandoned the initial, fervent, and deeply devoted love for Christ that characterized their early spiritual journey. This "first love" represents the primary affection and passionate commitment to Jesus Christ, which is the foundational motive for all true Christian life and service. The verse indicates that this loss of heart-devotion, even amidst diligent service, is a grave concern to the Lord.

Revelation 2 4 Context

Revelation chapter 2, specifically verses 1-7, presents Jesus' message to the church in Ephesus, one of the seven churches in Asia. This letter immediately follows the awe-inspiring vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation chapter 1, who is seen "walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" (Rev 1:12-13), symbolizing His intimate presence and oversight over His churches.

The Ephesian church was situated in a highly influential Roman province, known for its intellectual and religious vibrancy, including the cult of Artemis (Diana). The Christians there had a rich history, having been founded by Aquila and Priscilla, visited by Apollos, extensively ministered to by Paul for three years (Acts 18-20), and later associated with Timothy and the Apostle John.

Before the critique in verse 4, Jesus praises the Ephesian believers for their exemplary qualities: their diligent works, tireless toil, and patient endurance in the face of tribulation (Rev 2:2-3). He commends their rejection of evil men, their ability to test and expose false apostles, and their unwavering steadfastness for His name's sake, without growing weary. However, this praise, impressive as it is, sets up a striking contrast with the single but severe charge presented in Revelation 2:4. Their outward fidelity and doctrinal purity hid a fundamental deficiency: a diminishing passion for the One they served.

Revelation 2 4 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (ἀλλά - alla): This strong adversative conjunction signifies a stark contrast or sharp qualification. It introduces the primary criticism after a list of commendable virtues. Despite all the good, diligent work, there is a fundamental flaw that negates or diminishes their overall standing in Christ's eyes. It underscores that spiritual diligence and doctrinal orthodoxy, though important, are not sufficient on their own.
• I have (ἔχω - echō): This verb in the present tense indicates an ongoing possession or state. It signifies a personal, direct charge from Christ, who knows intimately the state of each church. This is not an abstract observation but a specific, personal grievance held by the Lord Himself.
• somewhat against thee (κατὰ σοῦ - kata sou): Literally "against you." The preposition kata here implies a charge or a legal accusation against someone. This is a severe indictment, signifying that Jesus finds something fundamentally wrong with the church's spiritual condition, despite their external acts. It's a statement of divine displeasure.
• because (ὅτι - hoti): This causal conjunction introduces the reason or basis for the Lord's accusation. It directly links the "having somewhat against them" to their abandonment of their first love. It clearly identifies the root problem.
• thou hast left (ἀφῆκες - aphēkes): This is the aorist active indicative form of the verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to send away," "to release," "to abandon," "to forsake," or "to neglect." The aorist tense implies a definite, decisive past action, the result of which continues into the present. It indicates a volitional act, a choice made by the church to step away from or let go of their initial fervor, rather than something being accidentally lost. This points to spiritual neglect or drift over time, not a sudden event, but a sustained disengagement from this foundational love.
• thy first (τὴν πρώτην - tēn prōtēn): This adjective, meaning "the first," "the original," or "the initial," modifies "love." It refers to the primary and earliest state or experience of their love. This suggests a period of fervent, fresh, and unreserved devotion when they first encountered Christ or began their Christian walk. It implies an enthusiasm and priority in their relationship with Jesus that had since waned.
• love (ἀγάπην - agapēn): This is the Greek word for unconditional, self-sacrificial, divine love. In this context, it primarily refers to the believers' profound, devoted, and fervent affection for Jesus Christ Himself. It is not merely a warm emotion but a purposeful, deep-seated commitment that prioritizes Him above all else. This "agape" for Christ is the source and inspiration for love for one another (Jn 13:34-35) and for effective ministry (1 Cor 13:1-3). Its absence makes all other service ultimately hollow.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee": This phrase dramatically shifts from praise to rebuke. It signifies Christ's piercing insight, moving beyond outward appearances to pinpoint a core spiritual deficiency. It highlights that the Lord evaluates motives and heart-condition, not just external actions.
• "because thou hast left thy first love": This states the specific, damning indictment. It reveals that the diligent work and doctrinal purity of the Ephesians were not flowing from their original passion for Christ. "Leaving" implies an active departure, a choice or a prolonged neglect that resulted in the abandonment of that initial, vibrant love, suggesting a prioritisation of duties over devotion.

Revelation 2 4 Bonus Section

The Ephesian church's situation highlights a critical spiritual danger: the subtle shift from Christ-centered devotion to duty-centered performance. Their "works" (ἔργα - erga), "toil" (κόπος - kopos, implying burdensome labor), and "patience" (ὑπομονή - hypomonē, implying steadfast endurance) were highly esteemed by Jesus. However, the subsequent verse implies that these virtues, without love, are inadequate in themselves. This indicates that while sound doctrine and strenuous service are vital, they must flow from and be energized by a foundational love for Christ, otherwise they risk becoming lifeless.

The charge is not that they lost their love, but that they left it (ἀφῆκες), suggesting an active moving away or putting aside. This implies a conscious, or perhaps gradually unconscious, process of spiritual neglect rather than an accidental falling. It's a reminder that maintaining a fervent love for God requires intentional nurturing.

The consequence for not repenting and returning to their "first works" (Rev 2:5) – the actions motivated by that initial love – is the removal of their lampstand, symbolizing the loss of their status as a true light-bearing church. This emphasizes the gravity of the Lord's concern regarding the absence of their original passionate devotion.

Revelation 2 4 Commentary

Revelation 2:4 delivers a penetrating diagnosis of the Ephesian church, a common spiritual malady that affects many believers and congregations. Despite a litany of commendable deeds – hard work, perseverance, doctrinal discernment, and intolerance for evil – the core issue identified by Christ is the abandonment of their "first love." This signifies not the loss of salvation, but the diminishment or displacement of their primary, fervent affection and passionate devotion to Jesus Christ Himself. Their activities, though outwardly praiseworthy, had ceased to be driven by an overflow of genuine, loving communion with their Lord.

The Greek word for "left" (ἀφῆκες) denotes a deliberate act of forsaking or neglecting, implying a shift in priority or a spiritual drift away from that initial intimacy. This "first love" is agape, a profound, self-sacrificial love primarily for Christ, which underpins all other godly attributes. Without this vital spiritual pulse, their tireless work risked becoming mechanical duty, their doctrinal purity an intellectual exercise, and their endurance a mere grit without spiritual vitality. Christ is not dismissing their good works, but emphasizing that motive and heartfelt devotion are paramount; without love, even the most impressive external efforts are devalued. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that our relationship with Christ, characterized by deep and ongoing love, must be the fountainhead of all our service and ministry.

Examples of this principle in action include:

• A seasoned church leader who tirelessly manages ministries but spends little personal time in prayer or reflection, exhibiting the strain of duty over delight in Christ.
• Individuals engaged in fervent evangelism or social justice, yet neglecting personal worship or exhibiting judgmentalism, showing that their external focus might have eclipsed a nurturing love for the Lord and others.
• A committed family member who performs all domestic duties perfectly but lacks emotional warmth and loving interaction, pointing to the absence of the "first love" in relationship.