Revelation 3:2

“Be watchful, etc.] Which may respect both ministers and members: the ministers of the Gospel, whose business is to watch over themselves, their conversation and doctrine, and watch every opportunity to preach it, and the success of their ministry; and that they do not grow careless, or be drawn aside through frowns or flatteries; and over others, as shepherds do, to know the state of their flock; as watchmen of cities to give the time of night, and notice of approaching danger; and to see that the laws of Christ's house are put in execution: and this may also respect the members of these churches, who ought to be watchful, and constant attenders on the word and ordinances, and in the duty of…”

“Be--Greek. "Become," what thou art not, "watchful," or "wakeful," literally, "waking." the things which remain--Strengthen those thy remaining few graces, which, in thy spiritual deadly slumber, are not yet quite extinct [ALFORD]. "The things that remain" can hardly mean "the PERSONS that are not yet dead, but are ready to die"; for Rev 3:4 implies that the "few" faithful ones at Sardis were not "ready to die," but were full of life. are--The two oldest manuscripts read, "were ready," literally, "were about to die," namely, at the time when you "strengthen" them. This implies that "thou art dead," Rev 3:1, is to be taken with limitation; for those must have some life who are told to…”

“Be watchful - Be wakeful; be attentive and earnest - in contradistinction from the drowsy condition of the church. Strengthen the things which remain - The true piety that still lives and lingers among you. Whatever there was of religion among them, it was of importance to strengthen it, that the love of the Saviour might not become wholly extinct. An important duty in a low and languishing state of religion is, to “strengthen the things that still survive.” It is to cultivate all the graces which do exist; to nourish all the love of truth which may linger in the church; and to confirm, by warm exhortation, and by a reference to the gracious promises of God’s word, the few who may be…”

“The things which remain - In thy soul; knowledge of the truth, good desires, and convictions. Which were ready to die - Wherever pride, indolence, or levity revives, all the fruits of the Spirit are ready to die. Revelation 3:3”

“3:2-3 The church of Sardis needed to wake up or it would suddenly fall. The city of Sardis had fallen when the forces of Cyrus (549/546 BC) and of Antiochus III (189 BC) made unexpected attacks through a secret tunnel and caught the watchmen off guard. The same would be true of the Christians there if they did not meet the requirements of . . . God (see 20:12; Eph 2:10; Jas 2:20). • as a thief: Like the invaders in the city’s history, Christ would come suddenly (see Rev 16:15; Matt 24:43; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10).”

“watchful: Rev 16:15; Isa 56:10, Isa 62:6, Isa 62:7; Eze 34:8-10, Eze 34:16; Zac 11:16; Mat 24:42-51; Mat 25:13; Mar 13:33-37; Act 20:28-31; Ti2 4:1-4; Pe1 4:7, Pe1 5:8 strengthen: Rev 2:4; Deu 3:28; Job 4:4-5, Job 16:5; Isa 35:3; Luk 22:31, Luk 22:32; Act 18:23 thy works: Kg1 11:4, Kg1 15:3; Ch2 25:2; Isa 57:12; Dan 5:27; Mat 6:2-4, Mat 23:5, Mat 23:28-38 Revelation 3:3”