Revelation 2:1
New International Version
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

New Living Translation
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

English Standard Version
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Berean Standard Bible
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Berean Literal Bible
To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: These things says the One holding the seven stars in His right hand, walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.

King James Bible
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

New King James Version
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

New American Standard Bible
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

NASB 1995
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

NASB 1977
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

Legacy Standard Bible
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: This is what the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says:

Amplified Bible
“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):

Christian Standard Bible
“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says:

American Standard Version
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

Contemporary English Version
This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: I am the one who holds the seven stars in my right hand, and I walk among the seven gold lampstands. Listen to what I say.

English Revised Version
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says:

Good News Translation
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands.

International Standard Version
"To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says this:

Majority Standard Bible
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

NET Bible
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand--the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

New Heart English Bible
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things:

Webster's Bible Translation
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Weymouth New Testament
"To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows: "'This is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His right hand says--He who walks to and fro among the seven lampstands of gold.

World English Bible
“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“To the messenger of the Ephesian assembly write: These things says He who is holding the seven stars in His right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

Berean Literal Bible
To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: These things says the One holding the seven stars in His right hand, walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.

Young's Literal Translation
'To the messenger of the Ephesian assembly write: These things saith he who is holding the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven lamp-stands -- the golden:

Smith's Literal Translation
To the messenger of the Ephesian church write: Thus says he holding the seven stars in his right hand, he walking about in the midst of the seven golden chandeliers;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

Catholic Public Domain Version
“And to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write: Thus says the One who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

New American Bible
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: “ ‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:

New Revised Standard Version
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
TO the angel of the church of Eph'esus write: These things says the Omnipotent; who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And to The Messenger of the assembly of Ephesaus write: 'Thus says he who holds the seven stars in his hand, he who walks among the menorahs of gold:'”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write: These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, that walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Godbey New Testament
To the angel who is in the church at Ephesus write; The one holding the seven stars in his right hand, the one walking about in the midst of the golden candlesticks, says these things;

Haweis New Testament
TO the angel of the Ephesian church write; These things saith he who grasps the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh round in the midst of the seven golden lamps;

Mace New Testament
To the angel of the church of Ephesus, write, "HE that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, says thus,

Weymouth New Testament
"To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows: "'This is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His right hand says--He who walks to and fro among the seven lampstands of gold.

Worrell New Testament
"To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write these things," saith He Who holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, He Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

Worsley New Testament
To the angel of the church at Ephesus write, These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To the Church in Ephesus
1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.…

Cross References
Acts 19:1-10
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples / and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” / “Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied. ...

Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 6:21-24
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. / I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. / Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ...

1 Timothy 1:3
As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines

Acts 18:19-21
When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews. / When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined. / But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.

Acts 20:17-38
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. / When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. / I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. ...

1 Corinthians 16:8-9
But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, / because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, ...

1 Peter 5:1-4
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: / Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ...

1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Colossians 4:7-9
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. / I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. / With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1-2
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! / When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.

Jeremiah 1:7-8
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. / Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things said he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the middle of the seven golden candlesticks;

the angel.

Revelation 2:8,12,18
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; …

Revelation 3:1,7,14
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead…

church.

Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

holdeth.

Revelation 1:16,20
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength…

Revelation 8:10-12
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; …

Revelation 12:1
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

walketh.

Revelation 1:12,13
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; …

Ezekiel 28:13,14
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created…

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

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Revelation 2
1. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8. Smyrna,
12. Pergamos,
18. Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.














To the angel of the church in Ephesus write
The phrase "To the angel" refers to the spiritual messenger or leader of the church. The Greek word for "angel" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), which can mean a heavenly being or a human messenger. In this context, it is often interpreted as the pastor or bishop of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a prominent city in Asia Minor, known for its temple of Artemis and as a center of early Christianity. The instruction to "write" signifies the importance of documenting divine revelation for the church's guidance and edification.

These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand
The phrase "These are the words" introduces a direct message from Christ, emphasizing His authority and the divine origin of the message. "Him who holds the seven stars" refers to Jesus Christ, as explained in Revelation 1:20, where the seven stars are identified as the angels of the seven churches. The imagery of holding them in His "right hand" symbolizes power, protection, and authority. The right hand is traditionally associated with strength and honor, indicating Christ's sovereign control over the church leaders.

and walks among the seven golden lampstands
The "seven golden lampstands" represent the seven churches, as clarified in Revelation 1:20. Gold, being a precious metal, signifies the value and purity of the church in God's eyes. The act of "walking among" them illustrates Christ's active presence and intimate involvement with His churches. This imagery reassures believers of Christ's continual oversight and care, emphasizing His role as the light of the world and the source of spiritual illumination for the church. The historical context of lampstands in the temple further underscores the church's role as a bearer of divine light in a dark world.

II.

(1) Unto the angel of the church of (literally, in) Ephesus.--On the word "angel," see Note on Revelation 1:20, and Excursus A. Adopting the view that the angel represents the chief pastor or bishop of the Church, it would be interesting to know who was its presiding minister at this time; but this must be deternined by another question, viz., the date of the Apocalypse. Accepting the earlier date--i.e., the reign of Nero, or (with Gebhardt) of Galba--the angel is no other than Timothy. Some striking coincidences favour this view. Labour, work, endurance, are what St. Paul acknowledges in Timothy, and which he exhorts him to cultivate more and more (2Timothy 2:6; 2Timothy 2:15; 2Timothy 4:5). Again, against false teachers he warns him (1Timothy 1:7). Further, there is "a latent tone of anxiety" in the Epistles to Timothy. The nature with which he had to do was emotional even to tears, ascetic, devout; but there was in it a tendency to lack of energy and sustained enthusiasm. "He urges him to stand up, to rekindle the grace of God, just as here there is a hint of a first love left." (See Prof. Plumptre, Ep. to Seven Churches.) . . .

Verse 1-3:22. - The epistles to the seven Churches. Once more we have to consider rival interpretations. Of these we may safely set aside all those which make the seven letters to be pictures of successive periods in the history of the Church. On the other hand, we may safely deny that the letters are purely typical, and relate to nothing definite in history. Rather they are both historical and typical. They refer primarily to the actual condition of the several Churches in St. John's own day, and then are intended for the instruction, encouragement, and warning of the Church and the Churches throughout all time. The Catholic Church, or any one of its branches, will at any period find itself reflected in one or other of the seven Churches. For two Churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, there is nothing but praise; for two, Sardis and Laodicea, nothing but blame; for the majority, and among them the chief Church of all, Ephesus, with Pergamum and Thyatira, praise and blame in different degrees intermingled. The student will find it instructive to place the epistles side by side in seven parallel columns, and note the elements common to each and the order in which these elements appear. These common elements are:

(1) Christ's command to the seer to write;

(2) his title, which in most cases is taken from the descriptions in Revelation 1;

(3) the praise, or blame, or both, addressed to the angel, based in all cases on intimate personal knowledge - "I know thy works;" . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
To the
Τῷ (Tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angel
ἀγγέλῳ (angelō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

church
ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Ephesus
Ἐφέσῳ (Ephesō)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2181: Ephesus, a coast city, capital of the Roman province Asia. Probably of foreign origin; Ephesus, a city of Asia Minor.

write:
γράψον (grapson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

These [are]
Τάδε (Tade)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3592: This here, this, that, he, she, it.

the words
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

of Him who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

holds
κρατῶν (kratōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seven
ἑπτὰ (hepta)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven.

stars
ἀστέρας (asteras)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 792: A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

right hand
δεξιᾷ (dexia)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

[and] walks
περιπατῶν (peripatōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

among
μέσῳ (mesō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3319: Middle, in the middle, between, in the midst of. From meta; middle (neuter) noun).

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seven
ἑπτὰ (hepta)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven.

golden
χρυσῶν (chrysōn)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 5552: Golden, made of gold, adorned with gold. From chrusos; made of gold.

lampstands.
λυχνιῶν (lychniōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3087: A lamp-stand. From luchnos; a lamp-stand.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the assembly (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 1:20
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