Revelation 3:14 kjv

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Revelation 3:14 nkjv

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

Revelation 3:14 niv

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.

Revelation 3:14 esv

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

Revelation 3:14 nlt

"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen ? the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's new creation:

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 14 Meaning

Revelation 3:14 presents a powerful self-declaration by Jesus Christ to the church in Laodicea. He identifies Himself with three profound titles: "The Amen," "the faithful and true Witness," and "the Beginning of the creation of God." These titles collectively affirm His absolute divine authority, unwavering truthfulness, steadfast faithfulness, and His sovereign preeminence and active role as the source and sustainer of all creation. He is the ultimate embodiment of God's unchanging nature and promises.

Revelation 3 14 Context

Revelation 3:14 is the opening address from Jesus Christ to the seventh and final of the churches in Asia Minor: Laodicea. Unlike other churches, Laodicea receives no commendation, only condemnation. It was a wealthy commercial center known for its banking, its black wool industry, and a famous eye-salve. Ironically, despite their material prosperity and self-perception of wealth and completeness (Rev 3:17), the church members were spiritually impoverished, lukewarm, blind, and naked. Christ's self-identification directly contrasts with Laodicea's deficiencies: they thought themselves true and complete, but Christ is the true one; they were creators of physical goods, but Christ is the source of creation itself; their promises were based on fleeting wealth, but Christ is the Amen of all promises. This verse establishes Christ's authority to accurately diagnose and authoritatively correct their spiritual state.

Revelation 3 14 Word analysis

• "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:": This follows the established pattern of address in Revelation to the seven churches. "Angel" (ἄγγελος, angelos) refers to the messenger, likely the leading pastor or representative of the church. Laodicea was a very prosperous city, politically self-sufficient, and famous for its financial power, wool production, and an acclaimed ophthalmic ointment, all of which are polemically addressed later in Christ's message to them (Rev 3:17-18).
• "The Amen" (Ὁ Ἀμήν, ho Amēn): A transliteration of the Hebrew אָמֵן (āmēn), meaning "truly," "so be it," "certainty," "faithfulness." In this unique usage, it functions as a divine title for Christ. It signifies His absolute veracity, reliability, and divine ratification. Just as "amen" concludes and confirms, Christ is the "yes" and "so be it" of all God's promises (2 Cor 1:20). He is the absolute Truth and the guarantor of all truth, contrasting with human untruth and self-deception. This points to God Himself, who is called the "God of Amen" (Isa 65:16).
• "the faithful" (ὁ πιστός, ho pistos): Refers to His character as utterly trustworthy, dependable, and true to His word. He keeps all His promises and remains steadfast. This title directly challenges Laodicea's unfaithfulness and spiritual lukewarmness.
• "and true Witness" (καὶ ὁ ἀληθινός μάρτυς, kai ho alēthinos martys): "True" (ἀληθινός, alēthinos) here implies genuineness, ultimate reality, and absolute authenticity, rather than just factual correctness. Christ is not merely one among many witnesses; He is the definitive, authentic, and ultimate witness to God's nature and truth. "Witness" (μάρτυς, martys) also carries the connotation of someone who testifies to the truth, often through personal suffering or death (from which the word "martyr" derives). Christ is the faithful witness who testified even unto death (1 Tim 6:13), revealing God fully.
• "the Beginning" (ἡ ἀρχή, hē archē): This critical Greek term archē can signify "origin," "source," "first cause," "ruler," "chief," or "starting point." When applied to Christ "of the creation of God," it refers not to Christ being created first, but to Him being the originating source, primary cause, and sovereign ruler of creation. He is not a created being, but the divine agent through whom and by whom all things were created, thus holding ultimate authority over creation. This understanding aligns with John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-18, and Hebrews 1:2.
• "of the creation of God" (τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ, tēs ktiseōs tou Theou): This phrase clarifies that Christ is the active force and designer behind everything God created. It underscores His pre-existence and participation in the divine act of bringing all things into existence, emphasizing His cosmic lordship and power. He is the author of all life and order, counteracting any human presumption of self-sufficiency or origin.

Revelation 3 14 Bonus section

The profound implications of "the Beginning of the creation of God" (ἡ ἀρχή τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ) are a theological cornerstone. This phrase has historically been subject to varied interpretations, particularly during the Arian controversies of the early church. Heretical views, such as Arianism, misconstrued archē as Christ being the first created being. However, orthodox Trinitarian understanding, supported by extensive biblical witness (John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-18; Heb 1:2-3), interprets archē not as a sequence in creation (Christ being made first), but as His being the originator, source, or cause of all creation. He is pre-existent and co-eternal with the Father, the divine agent through whom everything came into being. This firmly places Christ in the position of deity, the uncreated Creator, who transcends all created existence. His identity as "The Amen" and "the faithful and true Witness" further reinforces His divine nature and ultimate authority over creation and revelation. The three titles taken together create a comprehensive portrayal of Christ as divine sovereign over existence, truth, and promise.

Revelation 3 14 Commentary

Revelation 3:14 presents a majestic and deliberate self-portrait of Jesus Christ, strategically addressing the spiritual maladies of the Laodicean church. By proclaiming Himself "The Amen," Christ declares His ultimate authority, the absolute certainty of God's promises, and the unwavering truthfulness of His very being. This directly contrasts with the Laodiceans' self-delusion and spiritual falsehood. As "the faithful and true Witness," Christ embodies genuine truth and reliability, starkly against their "lukewarm" faith and superficial perception of reality. He is the one who bears testimony perfectly, confirming divine truth where their own testimony to themselves was utterly flawed. Lastly, calling Himself "the Beginning of the creation of God" asserts His divine pre-existence, active role as the orchestrator and sustainer of all creation, and supreme authority over all that exists. This title corrects any human tendency towards self-reliance or self-origination, emphasizing that all life, order, and true being flows from Him. Collectively, these titles serve as a profound Christological statement, underlining Jesus' unique status as fully divine, fully authoritative, and the ultimate source of all genuine life and truth, standing as both a judgment and a lifeline to a church lost in spiritual complacency.

• Practical Examples:
  • "The Amen": When doubt assails our faith in God's promises, remember Christ is the "Amen" to them all, the absolute certainty that God will fulfill His word (e.g., in times of fear, relying on Phil 4:6-7 knowing Christ guarantees peace).
  • "Faithful and true Witness": When seeking truth in a world full of conflicting information, look to Christ, the true revealer of God and reality (e.g., for guidance on moral dilemmas, His words and life are the ultimate standard).
  • "Beginning of the creation of God": In moments of feeling insignificant or overwhelmed by life, recall that the one who spoke the universe into existence cares for you and holds all things together, inviting trust in His sovereign design and power (e.g., facing an uncertain future, relying on Him who orchestrated all creation).