Devine Scripture

Revelation 2:3

What does Revelation 2:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 2:3 means

Jesus further recognizes their perseverance. For His name’s sake they have carried burdens and have not given up. Their endurance is not merely stubbornness; it is loyalty to Christ’s reputation and cause. They have served long and stayed steady without collapsing into fatigue-driven compromise. This honors the Lord who calls His followers to patient continuance. Faithfulness over time matters to Him. Yet even such impressive consistency can coexist with a cooling heart. Perseverance must be fueled by love, or it becomes duty without delight. Christ is about to address that danger—not to dismiss their faithfulness, but to restore the motive that once animated it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name’s sake, and hast not grown weary.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name’s sake, and hast not grown weary.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you have the power of waiting, and have undergone trouble because of my name, without weariness.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and thou didst bear, and hast endurance, and because of my name hast toiled, and hast not been weary.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And thou hast patience and hast endured for my name and hast not fainted.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and endurest, and hast borne for my name's sake, and hast not wearied:

Context

This verse completes the commendation begun in verse 2. The Ephesians’ patient endurance for Jesus’ name stands in the foreground before a sharp contrast is introduced. The next verse (verse 4) reveals the central flaw that jeopardizes all these strengths: they left their first love. The flow moves from deserved praise to a sobering diagnosis, then to a pastoral prescription (verse 5) and a balancing note of approval (verse 6). A promise to overcomers will cap the message (verse 7).

v.2I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;

v.3This passage

v.4But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

  • 1 Corinthians 16:16

    that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:13

    But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.

  • Romans 12:12

    rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;

  • Colossians 1:11

    strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;

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