启示录 2:4

3. Rebuke 2:4

The Ephesians, however, were serving Jesus Christ and maintaining orthodoxy as a habit rather than out of fervent love for their Savior (cf. Ephesians 1:15-16). Many commentators, however, took the first love as a reference to the Ephesians’ love for one another (cf. Acts 20:35; Ephesians 1:15). [Note: See John R. W. Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, p. 27.] Yet the emphasis in all these letters on the congregations’ allegiance to Jesus Christ seems to favor the view that love for Him is in view here. Genuine believers are in view. [Note: Richard C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation, pp. 86-87.] They did what was correct but for the wrong reason. Service and orthodoxy are important, but Jesus Christ wants our love too.

"It is only as we love Christ fervently that we can serve Him faithfully." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:572.]