Devine Scripture

Revelation 2:5

What does Revelation 2:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 2:5 means

Jesus prescribes a clear path to restoration: remember where you fell from, repent, and return to the early deeds that flowed from first love. Memory rekindles gratitude; repentance turns the will; doing the “first works” rekindles affection in practice. If they refuse, He warns He will remove their candlestick—ending their place as a recognized church. Christ’s presence gives a church its light; if love is abandoned, the lamp may be taken away. The threat is real but mercifully avoidable. His coming here speaks of swift intervention to judge or restore. Love can be recovered, but it requires intentional return to the Lord Himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So keep in mind where you were at first, and be changed in heart and do the first works; or I will come to you, and will take away your light from its place, if your hearts are not changed.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

remember, then, whence thou hast fallen, and reform, and the first works do; and if not, I come to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp-stand from its place--if thou mayest not reform;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance and do the first works. Or else I come to thee and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: but if not, I am coming to thee, and I will remove thy lamp out of its place, except thou shalt repent.

Context

This verse gives the remedy to the problem exposed in verse 4. It bridges rebuke and consequence—if there is no repentance, the candlestick will be removed. The next verse (verse 6) offers a balancing commendation, acknowledging what they still do right, before the letter concludes with a call to hear and a promise (verse 7). The flow emphasizes that Christ’s warnings are coupled with concrete steps and real hope, keeping the Ephesians from despair and urging decisive action.

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

v.5This passage

v.6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Cross references

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

  • Hosea 9:10

    I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig-tree at its first season: but they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves unto the shameful thing, and became abominable like that which they loved.

  • Revelation 2:19

    I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.

  • Revelation 2:21

    And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

  • Ezekiel 20:43

    And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have polluted yourselves; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

  • Matthew 24:48

    But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;

  • Isaiah 14:12

    How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations!

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