REV 3:1-6

To the Church in Sardis

1To the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write: These things says the one holding the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: 'Your works are known to me — that you hold the reputation of being alive, yet you are dead.

2Be watchful and strengthen what remains, which was about to die, for I have not found your works brought to full measure before my God.

3Remember then what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you will not be watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.

4Yet you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

5The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

6Let the one who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.'

In the world it was spoken into

In Sardis, a city known for its wealth and historical prominence, the church would have been familiar with the imagery of the 'seven Spirits' and 'seven stars,' likely referencing divine authority and cosmic order. The accusation that they 'have a reputation of being alive, but are dead' would resonate in a city where civic pride and outward appearances often masked internal decay. Sardis had a history of falling to surprise attacks due to negligence, making the warning to 'be watchful' particularly poignant. The call to 'strengthen what remains' suggests a community in decline, where some members still hold to their faith but the collective vitality is waning. The metaphor of Christ coming 'like a thief' evokes urgency, as thieves strike unexpectedly, leaving no time for preparation. The mention of 'names' not being erased from the book of life reflects Jewish apocalyptic traditions, emphasizing individual accountability in a communal setting. The exhortation to 'remember' and 'repent' underscores the need for active renewal in a church at risk of spiritual complacency.

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How other translations render this

REV 3:1

KJV: 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.
BSB: “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
Koinōnos: To the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write: These things says the one holding the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: 'Your works are known to me — that you hold the reputation of being alive, yet you are dead.

REV 3:2

KJV: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
BSB: Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.
Koinōnos: Be watchful and strengthen what remains, which was about to die, for I have not found your works brought to full measure before my God.

REV 3:3

KJV: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
BSB: Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
Koinōnos: Remember then what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you will not be watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.

REV 3:4

KJV: Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
BSB: But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
Koinōnos: Yet you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

REV 3:5

KJV: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
BSB: Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
Koinōnos: The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

REV 3:6

KJV: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
BSB: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Koinōnos: Let the one who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

REV 3:1

church:The word translated 'church' referred to a formally summoned assembly of citizens, not just any gathering of people. It carried a sense of an organized, deliberative body.
characterization:The word translated 'characterization' is a common verb meaning 'to have' or 'to hold.' In this context, it implies possessing a reputation or being perceived in a certain way.

REV 3:2

completed:The word translated 'completed' often carried the sense of 'filling up' or 'bringing to full measure,' implying a process of making something whole or perfect, not just finishing it.

REV 3:4

people:The word translated 'people' literally means 'name.' In this context, it refers to individuals identified by their name, emphasizing their distinct identity and recognition.