In Revelation chapter 2, Jesus addresses seven churches in Asia Minor through the apostle John’s vision. The first church Jesus speaks to is the church in Ephesus. Jesus’ message to the Ephesian church contains commendation, criticism, a warning, and a call to repentance.
Commendation for the Ephesian Church
Jesus begins his message to Ephesus by commending them for their perseverance, endurance of hardships, and refusal to tolerate wicked people (Revelation 2:2-3). He praises them for examining the claims of false apostles and finding them to be false (Revelation 2:2). The Ephesian Christians are commended for their discernment, endurance, and perseverance in the face of false teaching and wickedness.
Criticism for the Ephesian Church
However, Jesus also offers a stern rebuke to the Ephesian church. He criticizes them for abandoning the love they had at first (Revelation 2:4). Their orthodoxy and perseverance are meaningless without love. Though they have resisted false doctrine and wickedness, they have lost the most important thing – their devotion and love for Christ.
Warning to the Ephesian Church
Because of their lack of love, Jesus warns that if they do not repent, he will remove their lampstand – a symbol of their witness and presence – from its place (Revelation 2:5). Though they have guarded against false teaching, their loveless orthodoxy faces judgment. A church without love is a church without light. They must regain the love they had lost or Jesus will put an end to their witness.
Call to Repentance
Jesus calls the Ephesian church to remember their former devotion, repent, and return to their first works of love (Revelation 2:5). He holds out hope if they heed his warning and correct their path. The solution to their critical lack of love is repentance and returning to their former loving ways.
Summary of Jesus’ Message
In summary, Jesus’ message contained:
– Commendation for their doctrinal purity and endurance in the face of false teaching and wickedness.
– Criticism for losing the love they had at first.
– A warning that their lampstand would be removed if they did not repent.
– A call to repentance by returning to their first works of love.
The Ephesian church is commended for their perseverance and orthodoxy but criticized for lacking love. Jesus calls them to regain their devotion to Christ and repent of their loveless ways to avoid judgment. Right doctrine and endurance are meaningless without love.
Application for Churches Today
Jesus’ message to Ephesus contains important applications for churches today:
Uphold Sound Doctrine and Godly Living
Like Ephesus, churches must resist false teaching and refuse to tolerate wickedness (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). Standing for doctrinal truth and godliness pleases Christ.
Maintain Fervent Love for Christ
Avoid becoming cold in your affections for Christ. The Ephesian church left their first love despite their doctrinal purity (Revelation 2:4). Make Christ and his love preeminent in all things.
Keep Doctrine and Love United
Beware of either loveless orthodoxy or compromising doctrine through lack of discernment. Embrace sound doctrine and earnestly contend for the faith while also maintaining a fervent love for Christ and his people (Jude 3; 1 Timothy 1:5).
Heed Christ’s Warnings
If Jesus warns a church today to repent of loveless ways, heed his call. Examine yourself and your church to see if your love has grown cold. Return to your first devotion to Jesus.
Preach Both Sound Doctrine and Love
Pastors today must not only preach sound doctrine but also model and preach loving Christ wholeheartedly. Teach both doctrine and love to reflect Christ’s message to the Ephesians.
Jesus offered both commendation and criticism to Ephesus because neither doctrine nor love alone pleases God. Churches today must follow the positive example of Ephesus in upholding truth and persevering, but must avoid Ephesus’ fatal flaw of lacking love. Sound doctrine and passionate love for Christ must never be separated.
Exegetical Analysis of Revelation 2:1-7
Examining Revelation 2:1-7 more closely reveals key insights into Jesus’ message to Ephesus:
Christ’s Description (v. 1)
Jesus describes himself as the One “who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” This affirms Jesus’ authority over the churches as he holds their leaders (stars) and among the churches (lampstands) he inspects and judges.
Commendation (v. 2-3, 6)
– They cannot “bear with those who are evil.” This refers to their intolerance of wickedness and willingness to discipline sin.
– They have “tested those who call themselves apostles but are not.” They were doctrinally discerning, recognizing false apostles.
– They patiently endured suffering and did not grow weary. They persevered despite hardship.
– They hated the works of the Nicolaitans which Jesus also hated. They rejected this heretical sect’s idolatry and sexual immorality.
Criticism (v. 4)
– Jesus has this against them: they have abandoned the love they had at first. Their orthodoxy was not matched by love for Christ.
Warning (v.5a)
– If they do not repent, Jesus will remove their lampstand from its place. Their church and witness will end if lovelessness persists.
Call to Repent (v. 5b)
– They must repent and do the works they did at first. Return to former loving devotion and faithful works.
Exhortation (v. 7)
– Hear what the Spirit says to the churches: there is hope for overcomers who heed Christ’s warnings. Blessings await those who repent.
Looking closely at Christ’s message examines his specific commendations, criticisms, warnings, and calls to repentance. This analysis helps apply his message to churches today.
The Ephesian Church’s Background
Examining the background of the church in Ephesus sheds light on their situation when Jesus addressed them:
A Major City
Ephesus was a prominent Asian port city located on a major trade route. It had a theater that could seat 25,000 people. The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus was an influential hub for commerce, religion, and culture.
Established by Paul
The Apostle Paul established the Ephesian church during his second missionary journey around AD 52-55 (Acts 18:19-21). He later stayed in Ephesus for over two years nurturing the new congregation (Acts 19:8-10).
Infiltrated by False Teachers
After Paul’s departure, false teachers infiltrated the Ephesian church which explains Christ’s commendation of their discernment in testing them (1 Timothy 1:3-7). Demetrius the silversmith also stirred up trouble against the church’s influence (Acts 19:23-41).
Shepherded by the Apostle John
Near the end of Domitian’s reign (AD 81-96), the Apostle John likely moved to Ephesus for oversight of the Asian churches. Jesus’ message in Revelation was entrusted to John for the Ephesian church around AD 95-96.
Lost Their Original Fervor
By the time of Revelation, the Ephesian church had declined from its original zeal and devotion. Their love had grown cold even while maintaining doctrinal purity, requiring Christ’s warning to repent.
The Ephesian church had to contend with an adverse pagan environment and infiltration by false teachers, making their perseverance and discernment all the more remarkable. But they still needed to regain their passion for Christ.
Lessons from the Ephesian Church
The Ephesian church provides the following lessons for churches today:
Perseverance Amid Hostility
The Ephesian church persevered despite an hostile pagan culture and the presence of false teachers. They modeled long-term endurance and refusal to compromise.
Guarding Against False Doctrine
The Ephesians tested the claims of false apostles and rejected corrupt doctrine and heretical sects. Churches must be vigilant against doctrinal dangers.
Leaving One’s First Love
The Ephesians slowly drifted from their original devotion to Christ over time. Churches must beware of slipping into spiritual apathy.
Need for Self-Examination
The Ephesians were unaware of losing their first love until Christ diagnosed it. Churches should regularly self-reflect to avoid declining love.
Taking Christ’s Warnings Seriously
The troubling consequences of rejecting Christ’s warning woke the Ephesians up to their need. Churches must carefully heed Christ’s rebukes.
Restoring Love for Christ
Despite doctrinal faithfulness, abiding in Christ’s love is essential. Churches must continually fan into flame their love for Him.
The Ephesian church serves both as a positive model of enduring against opposition and as a warning against cool love. Churches must vigilantly guard both doctrinal purity and passionate devotion to Christ.
Commentary on Revelation 2:1-7
Looking at scholarly commentary on Revelation 2:1-7 provides additional insights into Jesus’ message to Ephesus:
Ephesus’ Resistance to Emperor Worship
Grant Osborne notes the imperial cult promoted emperor worship, something the Ephesians resisted despite the threat of persecution or social ostracization for refusing to participate (Revelation Commentary, 108). Their refusal to compromise shows courage.
Their Doctrinal Discernment
Robert Mounce highlights the Ephesians’ doctrinal vigilance in assessing self-proclaimed apostles. He notes, “A readiness to examine critically and reject false apostles indicates a level of spiritual maturity” (The Book of Revelation, 85). They valued truth over superficial unity.
Their Patient Endurance
G. K. Beale observes that suffering “because of Christ’s name and not growing weary” points to persevering faith in Christ despite hostility and persecution for His name’s sake (The Book of Revelation, 242). They accepted hardship for the gospel.
Their Lack of Love as Compromise
Darrell Johnson argues their leaving their first love was the “first step in that direction” toward fully compromise with culture that begins with “cooling love” (Discipleship on the Edge, 39). Declining love led to conformity for the Ephesians.
Warning of Christ’s Judgment
Alan Johnson asserts that rejecting Christ’s warning may mean He “would sovereignly remove them as his representative and witness in Ephesus” (Revelation, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 436). Their lampstand would be removed if they did not repent.
This sampling of commentaries highlights key elements of Christ’s message to Ephesus and underscores the lessons churches can learn from this first letter.
The Ephesian Church’s Positive Legacy
Despite Jesus’ warning to Ephesus in Revelation, the Ephesian church has a positive legacy that continued after the biblical period:
Passing on Sound Doctrine
Early church fathers like Ignatius, Polycarp, and Irenaeus were from Ephesus and known for defending orthodoxy against heresy. Ephesus transmitted pure doctrine.
Longevity as a Church Center
The church continued in Ephesus after Revelation, and a bishop represented Ephesus into the 400s AD. Ephesus remained significant after the New Testament.
Influence on Other Churches
As a major city, the Ephesian church likely impacted smaller churches in Asia Minor. Their example influenced many other congregations.
Archaeological Remains
Excavations at Ephesus have uncovered lampstands, glyphs depicting early Christian worship, and other artifacts shedding light on early Christianity there.
Church Councils Held
Church councils at Ephesus in AD 431 and 449 opposed false teachings like Nestorianism. Ephesus played a role in defending truth.
Despite needing to regain their first love, the Ephesian church positively impacted early Christianity through perseverance, sound doctrine, and influence. Their faithful legacy reminds us to learn from their commendable qualities along with their need for greater love.
Conclusion
In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus offered both commendation and correction to the church in Ephesus. He praised them for rejecting evil, persevering through trials, and discerning doctrinal deceptions. However, Christ rebuked them for leaving the passionate love for Him they had at first. Their orthodoxy was meaningless without fervent devotion to Christ. Jesus warned the Ephesians to remember, repent, and recover their first works of love. Churches today must heed Christ’s message to commendable Ephesus. As Jesus walked among the lampstands of the seven churches assessing their faithfulness, so He evaluates churches today based on right doctrine and loving obedience. May churches reflect Ephesus in perseverance and truth as well as Christlike love.
