3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis [rich and important commercial center; city characterized by moral decadence / center for worship of pagan deity Cybele, a sex goddess; no indication that Christians were persecuted there; Sardis is the only church that did not receive a commendation from Christ] write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of God [refers to the Holy Spirit in His perfection; God worked through the Holy Spirit in the seven churches] and the seven stars [a reference to the leaders or pastors of the churches; cf. Rev. 1:16,20; 2:1]. I know your deeds; you have a reputation [name] of being alive [lots of activity; the church looked impressive from the outside], but you are dead [inward spiritual condition; they were not living up to their reputation of being alive; no threat to their immoral community; perhaps under influence of immoral surroundings; cf. Rom. 12:2].

3:2 Wake up [urgent admonition to be watchful; city had experienced two military defeats because sentries fell asleep at their posts]! Strengthen what [Christian traits or members] remains and is about to die [need for urgent/decisive action], for I have not found your deeds [works did not measure up to God’s standards] complete [unfulfilled purpose] in the sight of my God.

3:3 Remember [recall], therefore, what you have received and heard [the gospel and instruction about the Christian life]; obey [hold fast or keep a firm grip on] it, and repent [imperative not option]. But if [condition] you do not wake up [continual watchful attitude], I will come [(perhaps final) warning of sudden judgment] like a thief [a reference to judgment], and you will not know at what time I will come to you [suggests they would be unprepared].

3:4 Yet you have a few [not all members were a disappointment; God notices faithfulness of individuals; some had not given in to indifference/complacency] people in Sardis who have not soiled [mingling with pagan life] their clothes [lives/attitude toward God]. They will walk [fellowship] with me, dressed in white [purity/upright life or heavenly raiment; a symbol of being set apart for God], for they are worthy [made possible by fellowship with the Lord].

3:5 He [any member of the church] who overcomes will [church was not beyond hope], like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out [erase/remove] his name from the book of life [registry of citizens of heaven], but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels [cf. Matt. 10:32].

3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear [to listen, understand, and obey] what the Spirit says to the churches.

3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia [located in a mountainous area; wine producing area; chief god of city was Dionysius or Bacchus, the god of wine; gateway to the East; Christ had no words of rebuke or condemnation for this church] write: These are the words of Him who is holy [set apart for God’s work; cf. 4:8] and true [genuine, not an imitation like pagan gods worshiped in Philadelphia; cf. 6:10], who holds [cf. John 14:6] the key [signifies power and authority] of David [Jesus is the promised Messiah of David’s lineage; “the key to the house of David” refers to Eliakim who carried “the key to the house of David” and who had authority over the treasures of the king and the authority to open and close the door at will (Isaiah 22:15-25)]. What He opens [door to the kingdom or door of faith as in Acts 14:27] no one can shut [regardless of what their persecutors said], and what He shuts no one can open [open door (salvation is assured) and closed door (judgment is certain)].

3:8 I know [have accurate insight] your deeds [service to Christ in midst of difficulties]. See, I have placed before you an open door [perhaps a reference to missionary or evangelistic opportunity; cf. 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3] that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength [suggests church in Philadelphia was small, poor, and lacking in influence; implies that while their strength was not sufficient to serve God’s purpose, Christ’s strength was more than sufficient; cf. Christ’s words to Paul in 2 Cor. 12:9], yet you have kept [suggests specific occasion when they could have done otherwise] my word [did not embrace heresy] and have not denied my name [did not call Caesar “Lord” but remained loyal to Christ].

3:9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan [cf. 2:9], who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars — I will make them come and fall down at your feet [defeated enemies] and acknowledge [recognize] that I have loved you [you are God’s true people – His church; vindication before enemies].

3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you [keep faithful while undergoing trial] from the hour of trial [perhaps intensity of pressure to participate in emperor worship or perhaps final ordeal of judgment] that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

3:11 I am coming soon [imminent return]. Hold on [remain loyal even though they had “little strength” (v. 8:b)] to what you have [do not allow your commitment to be sabotaged], so that no one [opponents of Christ] will take your crown [reference to reward not salvation; crown of victory awarded to victorious athlete].

3:12 Him [every believer] who overcomes I will [promise] make a pillar [gives stability to a structure; meaningful because Philadelphia was a city subject to earthquakes] in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it [no possibility of separation from the Lord]. I will write on [to establish identification, recognition, and ownership] him the name of my God [identity with God] and the name of the city of my God [signifying citizenship], the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name [signifying ownership].

3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear [and understand and act upon; cf. Mark 4:9] what the Spirit says to the churches.

3:14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea [important and wealthy commercial center located in the Lycus valley] write: These are the words of the Amen [represented Christ’s stability and complete trustworthiness], the faithful and true [genuine as opposed to imitation] witness [the absolute truth about God], the ruler [agent as in Col. 1:16-18 and authority over whole created order] of God’s creation.

3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold [like pure invigorating waters of Colossae] nor hot [like healing/medicinal waters of Hierapolis]. I wish you were either one or the other [both are positive]!

3:16 So, because you are lukewarm [tepid; spiritual lethargy; indifferent and uncommitted] – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out [with disgust] of my mouth [indicates impending judgment].

3:17 You say, ‘I am rich [proud and self-sufficient]; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize [unaware of real spiritual condition; “you don’t know how bad off you are” (CEV)] that you are wretched, pitiful, poor [destitute, as in 2:9], blind [to pitiful spiritual condition; Laodicea produced a salve made from “phrygian powder” mixed with oil to treat eye diseases: applied in form of doughy paste] and naked [physically well-dressed but spiritually naked; ironic analogy because Laodicea bred sheep whose glossy black wool was used to make expensive garments].

3:18 [threefold admonition] I counsel you [church in Laodicea] to [1] buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich [for eternity]; and [2] white [suggests purity] clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness [symbol of judgment and humiliation]; and [3] salve to put on your eyes, so you can see [spiritually; see themselves as they were].

3:19 Those whom I love [underlying motivation] I rebuke and discipline [with a redemptive aim; cf. Prov. 3:12]. So be earnest [zealous in devotion to God; same root word as for “hot” in v. 15; not complacent], and repent [imperative not option].

3:20 [Behold!] Here I am [a call to take notice]! I stand at the door [outside and away from the central place of the church and life of the individual] and knock [keeping on knocking; intended to get attention of those inside]. If anyone hears my voice [in addition to knocking, Christ was calling out] and opens the door [Christ will not force His way inside], I will come in and eat with him [fellowship], and he with me.

3:21 To him [individual] who overcomes [refers to those who have continuous fellowship with Christ], I will give the right to sit with me on my throne [signifies great honor], just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.