12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
12 Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth - out come the sword words:
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
12 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
16 "Enough! Don't give in to them; I'll be with you soon. I'm fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
(Read Revelation 2:12-17)
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their stedfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew. Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support. This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 2:12
Commentary on Revelation 2:12-17
(Read Revelation 2:12-17)
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their stedfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew. Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support. This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.