REV 3:7-13

To the Church in Philadelphia

7To the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, the one holding the key of David — the one who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens:

8'Your works are known to me. Look — I have set before you an opened door that no one is able to shut, because you have little power, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

9Look — I will make those of the assembly of Satan, who call themselves Jews and are not, but lie — look, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.

10Because you have kept the word of my steadfast endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to test those who dwell on the earth.

11I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, so that no one takes your crown.

12The one who conquers — I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out from it again. And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God — the new Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven from my God — and my own new name.

13Let the one who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.'

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, Philadelphia was a city in Asia Minor known for its strategic location and frequent earthquakes, making stability a pressing concern. The mention of 'the key of David' would evoke Isaiah 22:22, symbolizing authority over access to God’s kingdom, a claim that would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with messianic expectations. The 'synagogue of Satan' likely refers to a local Jewish group opposing the Jesus-followers, reflecting intra-Jewish tensions over messianic claims. The term (church) would be understood as an assembly, distinct from (synagogue), marking a clear separation between the two communities. The promise of making the faithful 'a pillar in the temple' draws on the cultural significance of (pillar) as a symbol of permanence and honor, particularly meaningful in a city prone to destruction. The call for (steadfast endurance) underscores the community’s resilience amidst societal and religious pressures. The 'new name' reflects the honor-shame culture, where a name change signifies a transformed identity and divine approval.

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How other translations render this

REV 3:7

KJV: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
BSB: To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
Koinōnos: To the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, the one holding the key of David — the one who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens:

REV 3:8

KJV: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
BSB: I know your deeds. Behold, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I know that you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
Koinōnos: Your works are known to me. Look — I have set before you an opened door that no one is able to shut, because you have little power, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

REV 3:9

KJV: Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
BSB: As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
Koinōnos: Look — I will make those of the assembly of Satan, who call themselves Jews and are not, but lie — look, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.

REV 3:10

KJV: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
BSB: Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Koinōnos: Because you have kept the word of my steadfast endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to test those who dwell on the earth.

REV 3:11

KJV: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
BSB: I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Koinōnos: I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, so that no one takes your crown.

REV 3:12

KJV: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
BSB: The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
Koinōnos: The one who conquers — I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out from it again. And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God — the new Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven from my God — and my own new name.

REV 3:13

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 3:7

church:The word translated 'church' refers to an assembly or gathering of people, specifically those called out for a particular purpose, rather than a building or institution.

REV 3:9

synagogue:The term 'synagogue' literally means a 'bringing together' or 'assembly,' referring to a gathering place for the Jewish community, not just a building.

REV 3:10

patient endurance:The phrase 'patient endurance' captures a sense of steadfast perseverance and remaining firm under pressure, not merely passive waiting but active resistance to giving up.

REV 3:12

a pillar:The word translated 'a pillar' evokes an image of a strong, foundational support, often used metaphorically for someone who provides stability or leadership.