Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. New Living Translation “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. English Standard Version “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Berean Standard Bible I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Berean Literal Bible I know your tribulation and poverty--but you are rich--and the blasphemy of those claiming themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. King James Bible 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. New King James Version “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. New American Standard Bible ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. NASB 1995 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. NASB 1977 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Legacy Standard Bible ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Amplified Bible ‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship]. Christian Standard Bible I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Holman Christian Standard Bible I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. American Standard Version I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Contemporary English Version I know how much you suffer and how poor you are, but you are rich. I also know the cruel things being said about you by people who claim to be God's people. But they are not really God's people. They are a group that belongs to Satan. English Revised Version I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. GOD'S WORD® Translation I know how you are suffering, how poor you are-but you are rich. I also know that those who claim to be Jews slander you. They are the synagogue of Satan. Good News Translation I know your troubles; I know that you are poor--but really you are rich! I know the evil things said against you by those who claim to be Jews but are not; they are a group that belongs to Satan! International Standard Version I know your suffering and your poverty—though you are rich—and the slander committed by those who claim to be Jews but are not. They are the synagogue of Satan. Majority Standard Bible I know your works and your affliction and your poverty?though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. NET Bible I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. New Heart English Bible "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Webster's Bible Translation I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Weymouth New Testament Your sufferings I know, and your poverty--but you are rich--and the evil name given you by those who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan's synagogue. World English Bible “I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have known your works, and tribulation, and poverty—yet you are rich—and the slander of those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. Berean Literal Bible I know your tribulation and poverty--but you are rich--and the blasphemy of those claiming themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Young's Literal Translation I have known thy works, and tribulation, and poverty -- yet thou art rich -- and the evil-speaking of those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of the Adversary. Smith's Literal Translation I know thy works, and pressure, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and the blasphemy of them saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but the synagogue of the adversary. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich: and thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Catholic Public Domain Version I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich, and that you are blasphemed by those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but who are a synagogue of Satan. New American Bible “I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. New Revised Standard Version “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI know your works and your suffering and poverty, but you are rich, and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich ) and the blasphemy of those who call themselves Jews of the Judeans, when they are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI know your works, and your affliction, and your poverty, (but you are rich,) and the impious words of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament I know thy works, and thy tribulation, and thy poverty (though thou art rich), and the calumnies of those who say they are Jews, yet are not, but are Satan?s synagogue. Mace New Testament "I know thy works, thy tribulation and poverty (tho' thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan. Weymouth New Testament Your sufferings I know, and your poverty--but you are rich--and the evil name given you by those who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan's synagogue. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context To the Church in Smyrna8To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. 9I know your affliction and your poverty— though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.… Cross References James 2:5-6 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? / But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Romans 2:28-29 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 2 Corinthians 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, / who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Luke 6:20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, Isaiah 66:5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.” Isaiah 41:8-10 “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— / I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. / 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 48:10 See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. Treasury of Scripture I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. know. Revelation 2:2 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: tribulation. Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. poverty. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 8:2,9 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality… thou art. Revelation 3:17,18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: … Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. the blasphemy. Luke 22:65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. Acts 26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. which. Romans 2:17,28,29 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, … Jump to Previous Adversary Afflictions Blasphemy Evil Evil-Speaking Jews Oppression Poor Poverty Rich Satan Satan's Slander Sufferings Synagogue Themselves Tribulation Troubles True. Wealth WorksJump to Next Adversary Afflictions Blasphemy Evil Evil-Speaking Jews Oppression Poor Poverty Rich Satan Satan's Slander Sufferings Synagogue Themselves Tribulation Troubles True. Wealth 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 affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! This phrase acknowledges the suffering and material deprivation faced by the church in Smyrna. Historically, Smyrna was a wealthy city, yet the Christians there were often marginalized and economically disadvantaged due to their faith. The "affliction" refers to the persecution and trials they endured. Despite their material poverty, they are described as "rich" in spiritual terms, echoing Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6:20 about storing treasures in heaven. This richness is in their faith, perseverance, and spiritual blessings, aligning with James 2:5, which speaks of the poor being rich in faith. And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Church in SmyrnaOne of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation, located in a wealthy city known for its beauty and commercial success. The church faced persecution and poverty. 2. Jesus Christ The speaker in this passage, who is addressing the church in Smyrna. He acknowledges their suffering and spiritual wealth. 3. False Jews Individuals who claim to be Jews but are not, described as a "synagogue of Satan." This indicates a group opposing the true believers in Smyrna. 4. Synagogue of Satan A metaphorical term used to describe those who oppose the true faith and persecute believers, aligning themselves with evil. 5. Affliction and Poverty The physical and economic hardships faced by the believers in Smyrna, contrasted with their spiritual richness. Teaching Points Spiritual Wealth Over Material WealthTrue richness is found in faith and spiritual integrity, not in material possessions. Believers should focus on their spiritual growth and relationship with Christ. Endurance in Persecution The church in Smyrna is commended for enduring persecution. Christians today are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith despite trials and opposition. Discernment of True Faith Believers must discern between true and false claims of faith. Authentic faith is demonstrated through actions and alignment with God's truth. The Reality of Spiritual Opposition The term "synagogue of Satan" reminds us of the spiritual battle against forces that oppose God's work. Christians should be aware of and prepared for spiritual warfare.(9) I know thy works.--Some would omit the word "works;" but the phrase "I know thy works" is admitted to be genuine in five out of the seven epistles; and it certainly seems natural to conclude that it was intended to be common to all, and to remind the Christian communities that whatever their state it was known to Him whose eyes were as a flame of fire. "We go from one hour to another, from one day and year to another, and what is once fairly past in our doing and omitting and suffering is scarcely regarded by us any more; it is like water that has flowed away. But into the omniscience of Christ all things are taken up" (Bengel). Tribulation.--If persecution brought upon them poverty, it was the means also of unfolding to view their possession of the "true riches;" they were rich in honour, in that they were counted worthy to suffer; they would also grow rich in the graces which sufferings bring (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4). Blasphemy.--They had to endure reviling as well as tribulation and poverty; and, harder still, to hear some who blasphemed that worthy name by which they were called. Jews.--The Jews were foremost in this. "It was in the synagogue that they heard words which reproached them as Nazarenes, Galileans, Christians, Disciples of the Crucified" (Plumptre). Comp. James 2:7. It is interesting to notice that this characteristic hostility of the Jews was illustrated in the martyrdom of Polycarp. The Jews, "as was their wont," were foremost in bringing logs for the pile. Synagogue of Satan.--The word "synagogue" is only once used to describe the Christian assembly (James 2:2); and even there it is called "your synagogue," not the "synagogue of God." In all other instances the "word is abandoned by the Jews." With the "synagogue of Satan" here, compare "the throne of Satan" (Revelation 2:13), "the depths of Satan" (Revelation 2:24). . . . Verse 9. - I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty. "Thy works" has been inserted here and in ver. 13 in order to make the opening of all seven epistles alike. The uncials A, C, P, and the Vulgate, Coptic, and AEthiopic Versions omit the words in each place. The Sinaiticus inserts them here and omits them in ver. 13, where they are plainly awkward in construction. Like all wealthy cities, Smyrna showed the extremes of wealth and poverty side by side. It would be among the poor that Christians would in the first instance be found, and their Christianity would lead to their spoliation; in this much of their "tribulation" would consist. But thou art rich (compare the close parallel, 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 8:2; Matthew 6:20). And the blasphemy from them which say they are Jews, and they are not. We have here strong evidence of the early date of the Apocalypse. Throughout this book "Jew" is an honourable name for the worshippers of the Christ; "Gentiles," a name of reproach for those who oppose the Christ (Revelation 2:9; Revelation 3:9; Revelation 11:2, 18; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 18:3, 23; Revelation 19:15, etc.). These persecutors of the Church of Smyrna are Jews in name, but in reality are rather Gentiles - opponents, and not worshippers of the Messiah. The view taken in the Fourth Gospel is utterly different. There "the Jews" are almost invariably the opponents of Christ; the word occurs about seventy times, and nearly always with this shade of meaning. Assume that the Gospel was written a quarter of a century later than the Apocalypse, and there is nothing strange in this. Long experience of Jewish malignity in opposing the gospel has changed the apostle's views respecting his countrymen. He has become fully convinced of the inveterate and widespread character of the national apostasy. To him "the Jews" have become synonymous with the enemies of the cross of Christ. Assume that the Apocalypse was written about the same time as the Gospel, and how shall we account for this utter difference of view in the two books? Assume that the Gospel was written long before the Apocalypse, and how shall we explain the fact that experience of Jewish hostility has turned the apostle's abhorrence of "the Jews" into such admiration that to him a Jew has become synonymous with a believer in Jesus Christ? It is remarkable that, in the 'Martyrdom of St. Polycarp,' the Jews are said to have been present in great numbers, and to have been foremost (μάλιστα Ιουδαίους προθύμως) in collecting wood with which to burn him alive. A synagogue of Satan (comp. Revelation 3:9; John 8:44). This is in marked contrast to "the synagogue of the Lord" (Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4; Numbers 31:16). With the exception of James 2:2, συναγωγή is, in the New Testament, always used of Jewish assemblies, never of Christian. This usage soon became habitual in the Church (see Trench, 'Synonyms of the New Testament,' p. 4).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek I knowΟἶδά (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. affliction θλῖψιν (thlipsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure. 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. poverty— πτωχείαν (ptōcheian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4432: Poverty, destitution. From ptocheuo; beggary, i.e. Indigence. though ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. you are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. rich! πλούσιος (plousios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4145: Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with. And [I am aware of] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the 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. slander βλασφημίαν (blasphēmian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 988: Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification. of ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. those who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive 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 λεγόντων (legontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive 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 εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. Jews, Ἰουδαίους (Ioudaious) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. but [are in fact] ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. a synagogue συναγωγὴ (synagōgē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church. of Satan. Σατανᾶ (Satana) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil. Links Revelation 2:9 NIVRevelation 2:9 NLT Revelation 2:9 ESV Revelation 2:9 NASB Revelation 2:9 KJV Revelation 2:9 BibleApps.com Revelation 2:9 Biblia Paralela Revelation 2:9 Chinese Bible Revelation 2:9 French Bible Revelation 2:9 Catholic Bible NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:9 I know your works oppression and your (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |
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