Revelation 3:4

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, etc.] The Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, “but thou hast a few names”, etc. or “a few men”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; who were called by name, and were men of renown, excellent men, men famous for holding the truth of doctrine, and for powerful and practical godliness; men of great light and grace, and who were known by name to God and Christ: these are said to be but “few”, not in comparison of the world, in which sense all the elect of God are but few, though a large number, considered in themselves; but in comparison of formal lifeless professors of religion,…”

“The three oldest manuscripts prefix "but," or "nevertheless" (notwithstanding thy spiritual deadness), and omit "even." names--persons named in the book of life (Rev 3:5) known by name by the Lord as His own. These had the reality corresponding to their name; not a mere name among men as living, while really dead (Rev 3:1). The gracious Lord does not overlook any exceptional cases of real saints in the midst of unreal professors. not defiled their garments--namely, the garments of their Christian profession, of which baptism is the initiatory seal, whence the candidates for baptism used in the ancient Church to be arrayed in white. Compare also Eph 5:27, as to the spotlessness of the Church…”

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis - See the analysis of the chapter. The word “names” here is equivalent to “persons”; and the idea is, that even in a place so depraved, and where religion had so much declined, there were a few persons who had kept themselves free from the general contamination. In most cases, when error and sin prevail, there may be found a few who are worthy of the divine commendation; a few who show that true religion may exist even when the mass are evil. Compare the notes on Romans 11:4. Which have not defiled their garments - Compare the notes on Jude 1:23. The meaning is, that they had not defiled themselves by coming in contact with the profane and the polluted;…”

“Yet thou hast a few names - That is, persons. But though few, they had not separated themselves from the rest; otherwise, the angel of Sardis would not have had them. Yet it was no virtue of his, that they were unspotted; whereas it was his fault that they were but few. Who have not defiled their garments - Either by spotting themselves, or by partaking of other men's sins. They shall walk with me in white - in joy; in perfect holiness; in glory. They are worthy - A few good among many bad are doubly acceptable to God. O how much happier is this worthiness than that mentioned, Rev 16:6. Revelation 3:5”

“3:4 Soiled . . . clothes represent an impure life (Zech 3:4), while white clothes depict purity (see Rev 6:11; 7:13-14; 22:14). • Walk expresses how a person lives (see Gen 17:1; Pss 81:13; 82:5; Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16).”

“names: Rev 11:13 \*Gr: Act 1:15 even: Kg1 19:18; Isa 1:9; Rom 11:4-6 which: Rev 7:14, Rev 19:8; Isa 52:1, Isa 59:6, Isa 61:3, Isa 61:10, Isa 64:6; Zac 3:3-6; Jde 1:23 walk: Rev 3:5, Rev 3:18, Rev 4:4, Rev 6:11, Rev 7:9, Rev 7:13, Rev 19:14; Est 8:15; Psa 68:14; Ecc 9:8; Zac 3:4; Mar 16:5 for: Mat 10:11; Luk 20:35, Luk 21:36; Th2 1:5 Revelation 3:5”