Revelation 3:11 - Exposition

I come quickly. Contrast μαι σοι ( Revelation 2:5 . 16), which is a threat, with ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς ( John 14:28 ; comp. Revelation 16:7 ; Revelation 17:11 , Revelation 17:13 ) and ἔρχομαι used absolutely ( Revelation 3:11 ; Revelation 22:7 , Revelation 22:11 , 29), which is a promise. Here the declaration is one of encouragement to the Church—her trial will be short; her reward is near at hand (see notes on Revelation 1:1 ). Hold fast. The same verb ( κρατεῖν with the accusative) as in Revelation 2:1 , Revelation 2:13 , Revelation 2:14 , Revelation 2:15 , Revelation 2:25 . The epistle of Ignatius shows that this warning was needed. Owing to the stubborn Judaism of some in the Philadelphian Church, the central truths of the gospel were in danger. Take thy crown. Not merely "take away" ( ἃρῃ ) from thee ( 1 John 3:5 ), but "receive" ( λάβῃ ) for himself ( Matthew 5:40 ). Such seems the natural, though perhaps not the necessary, meaning of the word, and so Jerome renders it accipiat, not auferat. Thus Jacob received Esau's crown, and Matthias Judas's, and the Gentiles that of the Jews. But the matter is not of much moment; the prominent thought is the loss to the loser, not the gain to any one else.