Revelation 3:8 kjv

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8 nkjv

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Revelation 3:8 niv

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8 esv

"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8 nlt

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 8 Meaning

Christ commends the church in Philadelphia for its profound faithfulness despite perceived weakness. He acknowledges their deeds and, based on their steadfastness in keeping His word and not denying His name, assures them of an unhindered opportunity or access, which only He controls. This "open door" signifies a divinely given opportunity for effective ministry, evangelism, or direct access to God’s blessings and presence, an opportunity that no human or spiritual power can close.

Revelation 3 8 Context

Revelation chapter 3 continues the divine correspondence to the seven churches in Asia Minor, with the letter to Philadelphia standing out. Unlike many of the other churches, Philadelphia receives no direct rebuke, only profound commendation. This distinction highlights its exemplary faithfulness. Philadelphia was a thriving, strategic commercial city in antiquity, known for its frequent and devastating earthquakes, making "little strength" particularly relevant to its residents who often lived in temporary structures. The city was also a center for the imperial cult, where citizens faced significant pressure to participate in emperor worship. This context of physical vulnerability and spiritual compromise underscores the Philadelphian church's remarkable steadfastness in keeping Christ's word and refusing to deny His name. The letter initiates with Jesus' self-description as the one possessing the "key of David" (Rev 3:7), linking His absolute authority to the promise of the "open door" in this verse, which implies a unique divine privilege granted to His loyal followers.

Revelation 3 8 Word analysis

• "I know your deeds" (οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα, oida sou ta erga): This phrase indicates Christ's perfect omniscience and intimate awareness of the church's true spiritual condition. It is a recurring opening statement in His letters to the seven churches, signifying His full and personal knowledge of each believer's actions and heart.

• "See, I have placed before you" (ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου, idou dedoka enōpion sou): "See" is an imperative, drawing immediate attention. "I have placed" (perfect tense of δίδωμι) signifies a divine act already accomplished, with enduring effect and current reality. This door is not conditional but an established, certain reality initiated by Christ's sovereign will and wisdom.

• "an open door" (θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, thyran aneōgmenēn):

  • "door" (θύρα, thyra): A pervasive biblical metaphor for opportunity, access, or entry.
  • "open" (ἀνεῳγμένην, aneōgmenēn): A perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being opened and remaining open. It implies ongoing and perpetual availability, emphasizing that this opportunity is not temporary but continually accessible. The primary interpretation is an opportunity for missionary endeavor or effective gospel ministry, though it can also encompass direct access to God's presence or blessings.

• "that no one can shut" (οὐδεὶς δύναται κλεῖσαι αὐτήν, oudeis dynatai kleisai autēn): This reinforces Christ’s absolute, uncontested authority mentioned in Rev 3:7, where He holds the "key of David." No human power, political entity, false religion, or spiritual adversary (demons or the devil) can hinder or nullify the divine opportunity that Christ provides. It speaks of divine protection and an unstoppable advance.

• "I know that you have little strength" (ὅτι μικρὰν ἔχεις δύναμιν, hoti mikran exeis dynamin):

  • "little strength" (μικρὰν δύναμιν, mikran dynamin): This phrase suggests a lack of worldly power, influence, prestige, numerical size, or financial resources. It doesn't imply weak faith but rather the Philadelphian church's outward appearance of vulnerability or insignificance in the world's eyes. However, this paradoxically highlights how God often uses what is weak by worldly standards to display His greater power (cf. 2 Cor 12:9-10).

• "yet you have kept my word" (καὶ ἐτήρησάς μου τὸν λόγον, kai etērēsas mou ton logon):

  • "kept" (ἐτήρησας, etērēsas): This past-tense verb implies that they diligently observed, guarded, and adhered to Christ's teachings. It signifies steadfast obedience, loyalty to His commandments, and preserving the purity of the Gospel message entrusted to them, despite external pressures.

• "and have not denied my name" (καὶ οὐκ ἠρνήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου, kai ouk ērnēsw to onoma mou):

  • "denied" (ἠρνήσω, ērnēso): To disown, refuse to acknowledge, or repudiate. This points to their resolute refusal to compromise their Christian identity and confession in the face of intense societal, governmental (e.g., emperor worship), or religious (e.g., from the "synagogue of Satan" mentioned in Rev 3:9) pressures.
  • "my name": Represents the very essence, character, authority, and deity of Jesus Christ. Not denying His name is a testament to their unwavering faith and bold public confession of Him as Lord.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door": This connection highlights Christ's commendation of their past and ongoing faithfulness leading to a divinely ordained, unhindered future opportunity. Their righteous actions unlock His gracious provision.
  • "an open door that no one can shut": This phrase encapsulates Christ’s ultimate authority over all circumstances and opportunities. It’s a divine guarantee of an unassailable, enduring access or means for ministry that no earthly or spiritual opposition can thwart.
  • "you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name": This juxtaposition creates a powerful contrast. Despite their worldly "little strength," their spiritual vitality, marked by obedience and courageous confession, led to God's empowerment and His granting of unparalleled opportunities. It’s a testament to the fact that God’s work is done not by human might but through faithful commitment.

Revelation 3 8 Bonus section

• The unique position of the Philadelphian church, receiving only commendation, sets a high standard of faithfulness and resilience for believers across all generations.
• The "open door" can symbolize an effective portal not only for missionary activity but also for divine understanding, heavenly visions, or access to God's own heart and plans for His people.
• This verse provides profound encouragement, particularly to those who feel insignificant or weak. It demonstrates that God's power is made perfect in weakness, and His favor rests on faithful obedience, not outward success or worldly strength.
• The assurance "no one can shut" empowers believers with the knowledge that divine opportunities, once given, cannot be revoked or blocked by human or demonic opposition, fostering unwavering trust and courage.

Revelation 3 8 Commentary

Revelation 3:8 is a powerful commendation from Christ to the Philadelphian church, highlighting that spiritual effectiveness and divine favor are not predicated on worldly strength or influence but on steadfast obedience and unwavering loyalty to His name. Jesus, with His perfect knowledge ("I know your deeds"), observes their genuine commitment. Despite possessing "little strength," likely indicating a small, perhaps struggling, congregation lacking significant earthly power or numbers in a challenging urban environment, their spiritual resolve remained firm. They distinguished themselves by "keeping my word," demonstrating their fidelity to Christ's teachings, and by "not denying my name," boldly confessing Him even amidst persecution or pressure to apostatize, a crucial act in a city steeped in imperial cult worship. In response to this exemplary faithfulness, Christ provides them an "open door that no one can shut." This door signifies an enduring, divinely orchestrated opportunity—primarily understood as access for evangelism and ministry, but also encompassing divine favor, spiritual access, or ultimate entry into God's presence. Crucially, because Christ holds the ultimate authority ("the key of David," Rev 3:7), no adversary or obstacle can close the door He has opened. This verse reassures believers that genuine faithfulness, regardless of perceived weakness, will be rewarded with divine opportunities and protected access to further God's kingdom.

Examples:

• A small prayer group that consistently upholds Christian truth eventually sees unforeseen evangelistic opportunities emerge in their community.
• An individual enduring severe social ostracism for their faith discovers new, impactful ways to share the Gospel, far beyond what their personal resources would suggest.