Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Revelation 2:1
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write, etc.] Of the city of Ephesus, (see Gill on “<660111>Revelation 1:11”) and (see Gill on “<441819>Acts 18:19”). The church here seems to have been founded by the Apostle Paul, who continued here two years, by which means all Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, (<441910>Acts 19:10); of this church, (see Gill on “<442017>Acts 20:17”); it is named first, because it was the largest, most populous, and famous, and was nearest to Patmos, where John now was, and most known to him, it being the place where he had resided; and it was the place from whence the Gospel came to others, and spread itself in lesser Asia; but especially it is first written to, because it represented the church in the apostolic age; so that this letter contains the things which are, (<660119>Revelation 1:19); and in its very name, to the state of this church in Ephesus, there may be an allusion; either to efesiv, “ephesis”, which signifies “desire”, and may be expressive of the fervent love of that pure and apostolic church to Jesus Christ at the beginning of it; their eager desire after more knowledge of him, and communion with him; after his word and ordinances, and the maintaining of the purity of them; after the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his kingdom in the world; as well as after fellowship with the saints, and the spiritual welfare of each other: the allusion may be also to afesiv, “aphesis”, which signifies “remission”, or an abatement; and so may point out the remissness and decay of the first love of these primitive Christians, towards the close of this state; of the abatement of the fervency of it, of which complaint is made in this epistle, and not without cause. This epistle is inscribed to the angel of this church, or the pastor of it; why ministers are called angels, (see Gill on “<660120>Revelation 1:20”); some think this was Timothy, whom the Apostle Paul sent thither, and desired him to continue there, (<540103>1 Timothy 1:3), there was one Onesimus bishop of Ephesus, when Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna, of whom he makes mention in his epistle f46 to the Ephesians, and bids fair to be this angel; though if any credit could be given to the Apostolic Constitutions f47 the bishop of this place was one John, who is said to be ordained by the Apostle John, and is thought to be the same with John the elder f48, the master of Papias; but though only one is mentioned, yet all the elders of this church, for there were more than one, (see <442017>Acts 20:17); are included; and not they only, but the whole church over whom they presided; for what was written was ordered to be sent to the church, and was sent by John, (see <660104>Revelation 1:4,11); the letter was sent to the pastor or pastors, to the whole body of ministers, by them to be communicated to the church; and not only to this particular church did this letter and the contents of it belong, but to all the churches of Christ within the period of the apostolic age, as may be concluded from (<660207>Revelation 2:7). These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand; the Syriac version reads, “that holds all things, and these seven stars in his right hand”; for the explanation of this character of Christ, (see Gill on “<660116>Revelation 1:16”); only let it be observed how suitably this is prefixed to the church at Ephesus, and which represents the state of the churches in the times of the apostles; in which place, and du…
This public page shows a contextual excerpt from the locally available source text.
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
