Revelation 2:7
What does Revelation 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 2:7 means
Jesus extends a universal summons: anyone with ears should hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The message to Ephesus applies beyond one congregation. He promises that the one who overcomes will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. Overcoming, in this context, means heeding His call—repenting, returning to love, and persevering in faith. The reward echoes Eden restored: unending, God-given life and fellowship. This promise lifts their eyes beyond present struggles to eternal joy. The Spirit is speaking through these letters, and the life held out is Christ’s own gift. The path back to first love leads to life at its source.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He who is having an ear--let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is overcoming--I will give to him to eat of the tree of life that is in the midst of the paradise of God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of my God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him that overcomes, I will give to him to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise ofGod.
Context
This verse closes the message to Ephesus. It universalizes the letter’s relevance and sets a pattern repeated in all seven letters: a call to hear and a promise to the overcomer. The specific promise here, access to the tree of life, counters the threatened removal of the lampstand in verse 5 by pointing to lasting life in God’s presence. With Ephesus addressed, the chapter turns to Smyrna (verses 8–11), where the tone will be all comfort and courage with no rebuke.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
- Mark 7:15
there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
- Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
- 1 Corinthians 2:10
But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
- Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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