Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. New Living Translation “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. English Standard Version “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. Berean Standard Bible I 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. Berean Literal Bible I know your works and your labor and endurance, and that you are not able to tolerate evil ones. And you have tested those claiming to be apostles and are not, and you have found them false. King James Bible I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: New King James Version “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; New American Standard Bible ‘I know your deeds and your labor and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people, and you have put those who call themselves apostles to the test, and they are not, and you found them to be false; NASB 1995 I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; NASB 1977 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; Legacy Standard Bible ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot bear with those who are evil, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; Amplified Bible ‘I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; Christian Standard Bible I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. Holman Christian Standard Bible I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. American Standard Version I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; Contemporary English Version I know everything you have done, including your hard work and how you have endured. I know you won't put up with anyone who is evil. When some people pretended to be apostles, you tested them and found out they were liars. English Revised Version I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them which call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; GOD'S WORD® Translation I know what you have done-how hard you have worked and how you have endured. I also know that you cannot tolerate wicked people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not apostles. You have discovered that they are liars. Good News Translation I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. International Standard Version I know what you've been doing, your toil, and your endurance. I also know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles, but are not, and have found them to be false. Majority Standard Bible I 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. NET Bible I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false. New Heart English Bible "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. Webster's Bible Translation I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear them who are evil; and thou hast tried them who say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars: Weymouth New Testament I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars. World English Bible “I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have known your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you are not able to bear evil ones, and that you have tried those saying themselves to be apostles and are not, and have found them liars, Berean Literal Bible I know your works and your labor and endurance, and that you are not able to tolerate evil ones. And you have tested those claiming to be apostles and are not, and you have found them false. Young's Literal Translation I have known thy works, and thy labour, and thy endurance, and that thou art not able to bear evil ones, and that thou hast tried those saying themselves to be apostles and are not, and hast found them liars, Smith's Literal Translation I know thy works, and thy fatigue, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked: and thou hast tried them saying they are sent, and are not, and thou Last found them liars: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Catholic Public Domain Version I know your works, and your hardship and patient endurance, and that you cannot stand those who are evil. And so, you have tested those who declare themselves to be Apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. New American Bible “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. New Revised Standard Version “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot endure those who are ungodly: you have tried those who say they are apostles, and are not, and you have found them liars: Aramaic Bible in Plain English “I know your works, your toil and your patience, and that you cannot tolerate The Evil One, and you have tested those who claim to be Apostles, and they are not, and you have found them false.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI know your works, and your labor, and your patience; and that you can not bear with those who are evil, and that you have tried those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars; Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament I know thy works, and thy travail, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked; and hast tried those who give themselves out as apostles, yet are not, and hast found them liars; Mace New Testament I know thy works, thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those who are evil: thou hast tried those who say they are apostles, but are not; and hast found them lyars: Weymouth New Testament I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context To the Church in Ephesus1“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. 3Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.… Cross References Acts 20:29-31 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. / Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ... 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines / or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 2 Peter 2:1-3 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! Jeremiah 23:16 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. Ezekiel 13:9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Zechariah 13:3 And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through. Treasury of Scripture I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil: and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: know. Revelation 2:9,13,19 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan… Revelation 3:1,8,15 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… Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. how. Revelation 2:6,14,15,20,21 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate… Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; thou hast. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ… 1 John 2:21,22 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth… 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Jump to Previous Apostles Bear Claim Doings Evil False. Find Found Hard Labour Patience Patient Perseverance Suffering Tested Themselves Toil Tolerate Tried Waiting Wicked Work WorksJump to Next Apostles Bear Claim Doings Evil False. Find Found Hard Labour Patience Patient Perseverance Suffering Tested Themselves Toil Tolerate Tried Waiting Wicked Work WorksRevelation 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. I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. This phrase acknowledges the active and diligent efforts of the church in Ephesus. The term "deeds" refers to their works and actions, which are visible expressions of their faith. "Labor" suggests hard work and toil, indicating that their efforts were not without cost or sacrifice. "Perseverance" highlights their endurance and steadfastness in the face of challenges. Historically, Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor, known for its commerce and the Temple of Artemis. The church there faced significant opposition, both from pagan practices and from within, as false teachings began to emerge. This commendation reflects their commitment to maintaining their faith despite these pressures. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Church in EphesusThis is the recipient of the message. Ephesus was a prominent city in Asia Minor, known for its significant Christian community and its challenges with false teachings. 2. Apostle John The author of Revelation, who received visions from Jesus Christ while exiled on the island of Patmos. 3. False Apostles Individuals who claimed apostolic authority but were found to be deceitful and not true messengers of Christ. 4. Jesus Christ The one who speaks to the churches through John, commending and correcting them. 5. Evil Refers to the moral and spiritual corruption that the Ephesian church is commended for not tolerating. Teaching Points Diligence in Deeds and LaborThe church is commended for its hard work and perseverance. Believers today should be diligent in their service to God, maintaining a strong work ethic in their spiritual and community endeavors. Intolerance of Evil The Ephesians' refusal to tolerate evil serves as a model for Christians to stand firm against sin and corruption in their own lives and communities. Discernment and Testing The practice of testing those who claim spiritual authority is crucial. Christians should develop discernment through prayer and study of the Scriptures to identify false teachings. Perseverance in Faith Despite challenges, the church in Ephesus persevered. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's strength to endure trials. Commitment to Truth The exposure of false apostles highlights the importance of commitment to truth. Christians should prioritize truth in their teachings and relationships.(2) I know thy works.--This phrase is probably common to all the epistles. See, however, Note on Revelation 2:9. It expresses the way in which all actions are naked and open before the eyes--those flame-like eyes (Revelation 1:14)--of Him with whom we have to do (Psalm 11:4-5; Psalm 139:11-12; Hebrews 4:13). The veneer of a formal faith might impose on the world, but it would not escape His scrutiny (Acts 1:24). He knows, too, and lovingly accepts, the unmarked and unrequited acts of true love (Matthew 10:42; Matthew 26:13), and appreciates, amid all its failures, genuine loyalty to Him (John 21:17). . . . Verse 2. - Owing to the inaccurate use of a corrupt text, the Authorized Version is here very faulty. The Revised Version is to be preferred throughout. I know thy works. This introductory "I know" appears in all seven letters. He whose eyes are "as a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:14) has perfect knowledge of his servants, and this knowledge is the basis of the praise and blame. "Works," a favourite word with St. John, and very frequent in both Gospel and Apocalypse, is used in a wide sense, including the whole of conduct (comp. John 3:19, 20; John 5:36; John 7:3, 7; John 8:39, 41, etc.; 1 John 3:8, 12 2John 11 3 John 1:10). Thy toil and patience. Explanatory of "thy works;" the Ephesians know how to toil and how to suffer patiently. They have "learned to labour and to wait." St. Ignatius says that he must be trained "in patience and long suffering" by the Ephesians ('Ephes.,' 3.). And that thou canst not bear evil men. Again St. Ignatius supplies a commentary: "Now, Onesimus of his own accord highly praiseth your orderly conduct in God, for that ye all live according to truth, and that no heresy hath a home among you; nay, ye do not so much as listen to any one, if he speak of aught else save concerning Jesus Christ in truth" ('Ephes.,' 6.). The word for "evil" (κακός), though one of the commonest in the Greek language, is rare in St. John; it occurs only here and in Revelation 16:2 (see note); John 18:23 3John 11. Didst try them which call themselves apostles, and they are not. It is incredible that this can mean St. Paul. Even allowing the prodigious assumption that the "Jewish Christianity" of St. John was opposed to the "Gentile Christianity" of St. Paul, what chance would an opponent of St. Paul have had in a Church which St. Paul founded and fostered? And had such opposition existed, could St. Polycarp, St. John's own disciple, have spoken of "the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul" ('Philippians,' 3.)? This mention of false apostles is doubly interesting: (1) as a fulfilment of warnings given by St. Paul himself to the Ephesian Church (Acts 20:28-30; comp. 2 Timothy, passim); (2) as a strong incidental mark of the date of the book. In A.D. , when contemporaries of the apostles were abundant, the claim to be an apostle might with some show of reason be made; in A.D. such a claim would be ridiculous. This Trench admits, and hence tells us that the meaning of "apostles" must not be pressed, "as though it implied a claim to have seen and been sent by the Lord Jesus," But this is just what "apostle" does imply (Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Corinthians 9:1). Greek I knowΟἶδα (Oida) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. deeds, ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. labor, κόπον (kopon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2873: From kopto; a cut, i.e. toil, literally or figuratively; by implication, pains. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. [your] τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative 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. perseverance. ὑπομονήν (hypomonēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5281: Endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for. From hupomeno; cheerful endurance, constancy. [I know] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you cannot δύνῃ (dynē) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. tolerate βαστάσαι (bastasai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 941: Perhaps remotely derived from the base of basis; to lift, literally or figuratively. [those who are] evil, κακούς (kakous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. you have tested ἐπείρασας (epeirasas) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 3985: To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. exposed εὗρες (heures) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. as liars ψευδεῖς (pseudeis) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 5571: False, deceitful, lying, untrue. From pseudomai; untrue, i.e. Erroneous, deceitful, wicked. those who 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. falsely οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. claim λέγοντας (legontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to be ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. apostles. ἀποστόλους (apostolous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. Links Revelation 2:2 NIVRevelation 2:2 NLT Revelation 2:2 ESV Revelation 2:2 NASB Revelation 2:2 KJV Revelation 2:2 BibleApps.com Revelation 2:2 Biblia Paralela Revelation 2:2 Chinese Bible Revelation 2:2 French Bible Revelation 2:2 Catholic Bible NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:2 I know your works and your toil (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |
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